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Calgary to get first shipment of STARS replacement helicopters

Oct 25, 2018 | 11:38 AM

FORT ERIE, Ont. – Calgary will be the first STARS Air Ambulance base to receive the new arrivals of the fleet.

The first batch of the Airbus H145 helicopter will be delivered to STARS in 2019. It’s the first time this model of helicopter will be used in an emergency medical services configuration. STARS chose the helicopter to replace the aging current fleet.

In a news release, STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson called it an investment in the future.

“A unified fleet is considered best practice in terms of safety, fleet management, dispatch flexibility, and cost-effectiveness,” she said.

The H145 is a four-ton twin-engine craft which began service in 2015. More than 200 units have been delivered since then. It also builds on what Airbus describes as an “exceptional” heritage and safety record with previous models.

The manufacturer said the helicopter has wide side-sliding doors and large rear clamshell doors, allowing for easy and safe loading and unloading of patients; full body access and greater comfort in its large cabin; and low sound levels making it suitable for use in urban areas.