Air ambulance operator Aero-Dienst has taken delivery of its first CF34-powered aircraft, a milestone in modernizing its air ambulance fleet, GE Aerospace announced Oct. 21 in Las Vegas. A second CF34-powered aircraft is expected next year.
Both aircraft are Challenger 650 jets that will be modified into air ambulances after delivery, strengthening Aero-Dienst’s ability to fly medical transport missions. Both will be covered by GE Aerospace’s OnPoint support services program.
What the jets will do
Aero-Dienst flies patient repatriation missions at the highest medical level, bringing more than 1,000 patients a year from foreign countries back to Germany. On these flights, the aircraft become flying intensive care units staffed by experienced teams of doctors and paramedics. The company describes itself as the “university hospital of flight ambulances.”
Why GE
Oliver Kosing, Aero-Dienst’s managing director, said reliability is “essential” in air ambulance operations and that, as the original equipment manufacturer, GE offers the fast, dependable service the missions require. He said the strong partnership and positive experience of the operator’s own maintenance teams over the years made GE “the clear choice” for both new aircraft.
Sterling Leaven, GE Aerospace’s general manager of business aviation, said the company is proud to be “underwing” on the modernized fleet. The CF34 engines, backed by OnPoint services, will power life-saving medical treatment and transportation across the world, he said.
What OnPoint covers
OnPoint is a set of customized service agreements tailored to each customer’s operational and financial needs, designed to lower cost of ownership and maximize asset use. Depending on the agreement, services may include overhaul, on-wing support, new and used serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing, and integrated systems support and diagnostics.
About the companies
GE Aerospace says it has an installed base of about 50,000 commercial and 30,000 military engines and about 57,000 employees. Aero-Dienst, founded in 1958, says it employs more than 350 aviation professionals.