CJ Systems Aviation Group, a leading provider of air medical services, has either made or has entered agreements to make significant upgrades to aircraft serving four separate regional air medical transportation providers.
“In each case, CJ Systems has made these upgrades to provide improved performance, faster transport capabilities, more extensive on-board medical equipment, and greatly reduced costs of operations and maintenance for our regional air medical clients,” said Ed Marasco, Senior Vice President of Air Medical Services for the Pittsburgh-based company.
“This practice becomes very important on a number of levels,” Marasco said. “First, to ensure that the best air medical services can be made available to those in need within our clients’ service areas, but also on a very practical level because some of the older aircraft still in use can become difficult to service and repair. With safety our number one priority at all times at CJ Systems, replacing older aircraft is a vital activity.”
The upgrades, and the regional providers affected, include:
- Gunderson Lutheran La Crosse Hospital (La Crosse, Wisc.) CJ Systems will replace the provider’s existing aircraft, a BK-117, with a new state-of-the-art EC-145 helicopter, offering a larger, more powerful, and higher-performing means of transporting patients.
- Doctors Memorial Hospital (Perry, Fla.) The existing BK aircraft has been replaced with an EC-135 helicopter, offering greater patient maneuverability.
- St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (Boise, Idaho) This provider’s Bell-222 has been upgraded to an EC-135, complete with night-vision goggles to enhance 24-hour service to a wider, more rural service area.
- Quad Cities EMS (Burlington, Iowa) The previous BK aircraft was upgraded to the EC-135 helicopter, as well.
About CJ Systems Aviation Group
CJ Systems Aviation Group is a leading provider of air medical services in the United States. Operating a fleet of more than 115 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, CJ Systems manages air medical services for hospitals and communities at approximately 80 base site facilities nationwide. The company employs more than 600 people across the United States and is headquartered in Pittsburgh.
CJ Systems is one of three aviation-related affiliates of FSS Airholdings Inc., a privately held company founded in 1969. Other FSS companies include: Corporate Jets Inc., a full-service FBO, flight department and maintenance department based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Heli-Dyne Systems, a helicopter services company based near Fort Worth, Texas.
For additional information, visit the company’s web site at www.cjsystemsaviation.com.
