Helicopters Life Flight Network orders 12 Bell 407GXi helicopters

Life Flight Network, an operator of providing emergency aerial response missions, has decided to expand its fleet by ordering 12 new Bell 407 GXi helicopters. The signed purchase agreement sees the helicopters being outfitted with IFR capabilities.

According to the manufacturer, the aircraft are expected to be fully delivered by 2023. Currently, Life Flight Network operates with a Bell fleet of four Bell 429s and five Bell 407GXi. This shows that the operator already has experience operating the 407GXi.

“In 2019, we announced the certification of one of the industry’s first single-engine IFR aircraft, allowing our customers to operate in Instrument Meteorological Conditions. We are incredibly proud to strengthen our relationship with Life Flight Network and continue to support these life-saving missions when minutes matter,” said Michael Thacker, executive vice president, Innovation and Commercial Business.

Interim CEO and COO at Life Flight Network, Ben Clayton, added: “The Bell 407GXi is a highly reliable and proven helicopter with an advanced avionics suite. Adding the IFR configuration will allow us to answer calls when we normally may be grounded because of inclement weather […] Today’s agreement to expand our Bell fleet and advance our capabilities is a testament to Bell’s outstanding support in the Air Ambulance segment.”

Life Flight Network is the largest non-for-profit air medical services in the United States. The company has 25 rotor-wing bases, nine fixed-wing bases and two neonatal and pediatric bases. Mainly, the operator is flying throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.

The company was founded over 44 years ago and has since then worked on providing care to patients in need of medical emergency transport. During the operations, Life Flight Network supports hospitals, local police, performs EMS missions, missions for fire departments and emergency responses.

The Bell Textron 408GXi now features a new IFR capability, which the operator has opted for. This allows for all-Weather operations while “continuing to provide multi-mission capability safely, reliably, and effectively,“ Bell Textron explained.