MARIGNANE, France --- On the occasion of a visit to Eurocopter's company headquarters in Marignane on July 24 and 25, Friedrich Rehkopf, Chief Executive of ADAC Luftrettung GmbH, and Fabrice Brégier, President of Eurocopter, signed a contract for a further EC 135, this being the 19th helicopter of this type for the air rescue enterprise, which is renowned worldwide. The contract was signed during two days of intensive technical and informational talks between the ADAC delegation, which also included ADAC's Engineering Vice President Werner von Scheven, and Eurocopter executives.
Fabrice Brégier paid tribute to ADAC's pioneering role in air rescue. For more than 30 years, this German air rescue enterprise has been setting international standards in air rescue techniques and optimum emergency medical care, was decisively involved in the development of Eurocopter's rescue helicopters, and is a role model and consultant worldwide for air rescue operators. Friedrich Rehkopf emphasized the close cooperation between ADAC and Eurocopter since the inception of air rescue in Germany with the entry into service of the first BO 105 in the autumn of 1970. The BK 117 has also formed part of the ADAC fleet since 1984, in 1996 the first EC 135 was put into operation and, a few weeks ago, on June 5 of this year, ADAC was the first German air rescue enterprise to deploy two EC 145s.
ADAC Luftrettung GmbH is currently operating 34 Eurocopter helicopters: four BO 105s, twelve BK 117s, two EC 145s and 16 EC 135s. Two further EC 135s are already in the pipeline and will be delivered in December 2003 and spring 2004, respectively. The 19th EC 135 - ordered today - will likewise be delivered to the customer in the spring of 2004.
The EC 135 is one of the best-selling rescue helicopters in its class. Today's signing of the contract once again emphasizes the confidence placed by internationally renowned air rescue services in helicopters made by Eurocopter.
Based on the empirical findings gained over 30 years of air rescue, the twin-engined light helicopter EC 135 complies with the latest JAR guidelines (Joint Aviation Regulations OPS 3) and at the same time with the most up-to-date medical requirements. The IFR-compatible chopper can accommodate two crew members, a doctor and a medevac, and two stretchers. A swivel seat is provided for the emergency doctor in order to ensure optimum care for the patient. The EC 135, featuring a spacious, completely level cabin area and excellent access to the cabin via wide rear and side doors, is just perfect for air rescue purposes. Further, thanks to its high main rotor and shrouded Fenestron tail rotor, the EC 135 offers a high degree of active and passive safety and ruggedness together with on-condition maintenance as well as – according to official measurements – the lowest noise emission of any helicopter in its class.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is the second-largest aerospace and defence company in the world with revenues of 29.9 billion euros in the year 2002 and a workforce of more than 100,000. It is a systems integrator and as such one of the few companies worldwide capable of combining various products and technologies to form complete systems. EADS is a market leader in civil aeronautics, defence and security technology, helicopters, launchers, satellites, military transport and combat aircraft and the associated services.
