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Mercy flight getting 3 new helicopters

By November 22, 2017No Comments

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) – Thanks to a long-term, low-interest $23 million loan from M&T Bank and the USDA, Mercy Flight has purchased three new Bell 429 helicopters to help replace its aging fleet. The new medical choppers are larger, faster and have better safety – but perhaps the biggest advantage is they can fly when there is zero visibility.

The FAA has given Mercy Flight permission to start conducting IFR flights – meaning flights where pilots rely solely on instruments.

Mercy Flight already owns a 2010 model of the Bell 429 helicopter but the rest of its fleet dates back to the 1980’s. The newly purchased “429’s” will be placed into service during the Spring/Summer of 2018.

During an announcement at Mercy Flight’s headquarters in Cheektowaga, it was noted that purchasing the Bell helicopters has a special connection because Bell invented helicopters in Buffalo.

wkbw.com
November 8, 2017
Ed Reilly

http://www.wkbw.com/news/mercy-flight-getting-3-new-helicopters-that-can-fly-in-bad-weather