By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

STARS looking to the future with the release of long-term fleet plan

Jun 25, 2018 | 2:59 PM

CALGARY – STARS air ambulance is unveiling its fleet renewal plan that will result in a streamlined, unified stable of life-saving helicopters.

STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson says part of STARS’ commitment to continually enhance their emergency medical care services, they need to update and standardize our aircraft fleet, and this is the first step.

“The new fleet is an investment in our future, helping us continue to provide critical care services for our children, grandchildren and beyond,” Robertson said.

In a release, STARS state they conducted independent reviews of the long-term sustainability of their current aircraft types: the legacy BK117 and the AW139. 

The assessments indicated the necessity of a new, single-model fleet of helicopters. 

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“The bulk of our current fleet, the long-serving BK117, has been phased out of production, and these aircraft are becoming costlier to maintain,” Robertson continued. “A unified fleet is considered best practice in terms of safety, fleet management, dispatch flexibility and cost-effectiveness.”

An extensive review resulted in the selection of the Airbus H145 aircraft as the best option for STARS’ new fleet, which is a technologically advanced model with an updated version of the medical interior found in STARS’ existing aircraft.

The organization’s first new helicopter is expected to be delivered in 2019 and will be based in Calgary. The remainder of the new fleet is anticipated to be implemented across STARS’ six bases over the next five years.

In Alberta, STARS need five new helicopters to operate its three bases and each medically equipped aircraft costs approximately $13 million. 

As a non-profit, charitable organization, STARS will embark on a campaign to seek support from communities around the province and government partners to help purchase the new fleet. 

The current helicopters will also be sold after the new fleet is in place to help offset the cost of the new aircraft.

“While we await the arrival of our new helicopters, our existing fleet will continue to serve our patients reliably and safely. You can count on us to be there for the next patient who needs us,” Robertson stated.