H145 to cover for HEMS ops. in Gothenburg

The regional helicopter emergency medical service in the Västra Götaland Region, in southwestern Sweden, is using a new helicopter for the first time in 14 years. The unit is normally operating a Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter, but a brand new Airbus Helicopters H145 will now be covering for the regular aircraft while it is in for its month-long annual routine maintenance, starting on Monday.

This will be the first time the unit is using another helicopter type than the S-76 since the launch of the HEMS station in Gothenburg back in January 2002. The region has been lacking a reserve aircraft for some time, but it will now have full access to a newly delivered company backup aircraft (SE-JXC).

The Västra Götaland Region has been a member of the EMS helicopter federation Svensk Luftambulans since 2015. Four affiliated councils are currently sharing organization - Värmland, Dalarna, Uppsala (not operative) and the Västra Götaland Region. All bases except Gothenburg are currently using the H145 helicopter as standard aircraft.