West Virginia hospital gets $8.5 million life-saving helicopter

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — It’s not every day a hospital adds a new team member that flies, but WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital did just that, unveiling a brand-new helicopter that’s ready to save lives from the sky.

The new helicopter, an Airbus H-135, was officially dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at WVU Medicine hospital in Wheeling, with HealthNet Aeromedical Services and WVU Medicine celebrating the addition.

“This aircraft represents an $8.5 million investment in health care in this region by WVU Medicine. It really is going to make a difference. The aircraft is absolutely loaded with the latest in technology to provide the safest platform we can give our patients, our crews and everything the pilots need to be totally effective.”

Clinton Burley, President & CEO, HealthNet Aeromedical Services

The state-of-the-art H135 has a maximum speed over 150 mph, a maximum flight range of over 350 miles and can stay in the air for over 3 and a half hours.

Some of the advanced features on the aircraft include a Helionix Avionics Suite, which is an advanced system to reduce the workload of the pilots, enhance situational awareness and improve flight safety for the pilots and patients that are on board.

Another feature is the Single-Pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) which allows the aircraft to operate in a wider range of weather conditions along with enhanced safety features where the design and technology are engineered to further protect the flight crew and patients on board.

The aircraft will be based in Marshall County, replacing a 12-year-old helicopter and joining four other new aircrafts being introduced statewide this year.

HealthNet officials says this investment reflects their growing partnership with WVU Medicine and their ongoing commitment to improving emergency access across the Ohio Valley.