University of Tennessee Medical Center to buy two Bell 430s

Bell Helicopter Textron Press Release

FORT WORTH, Texas — Bell officials announced that LIFESTAR, the air medical program based at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville has signed a purchase agreement for two Bell 430’s.

Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for May 2003, the second to follow
shortly afterwards. The aircraft will replace the two Bell 412’s, the oldest
of which was placed in service in 1987. The other was added six years ago to
meet the increasing demands of patient transport.

“These aircraft bring enhanced technology to the LIFESTAR program and will
allow us to continue to meet the emergency air transport needs of the region
as we have been doing since 1984,” Norman Majors senior Vice President for
Health System administration said.”

The Bell 430 was selected for many reasons, including speed, the smoothest
ride in its class, a large patient care area to permit the mission flexibility
the program has offered from the beginning, single-pilot IFR capability, and
aircraft reliability. The Bell 430’s will be able to transport two patients,
as well as specialty equipment such as the IABP or isolette with a crew of
three.

According to LIFESTAR Program Director Christopher Brooks, MD, the 430 is more
cost effective for LIFESTAR. “It will cost us about $200 less per hour to
operate the 430s, so we should save about $350,000 a year in fuel and
maintenance.”

The aircraft will have the interior configuration and medical equipment
package added at Edwards & Associates in Bristol Tennessee.

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