CJ Systems Aviation Group - During the 2006 Heli Expo show, the American operator
signed a contract for an additional 10 EC135s. Interview with Lawrence Pietropaulo,
President and COO of CJ Systems Aviation Group.
Why place a new order for the EC135?
Lawrence Pietropaulo: We operate a very large helicopter
fleet, and have been a Eurocopter customer since 1984. In all,
we have 114 helicopters. Of those helicopters, we operate
63 Eurocopter aircraft including 32 EC135s, 28 BK117s,
3 EC145s, (2 others have also been ordered) and 10 Dauphins.
For the last three years, we have been pursuing a very ambitious
fleet modernization program. We also have to meet the
ever greater demand from our customers, which is why we
are extending our fleet by choosing – once again – the EC135.
In which sector do you operate?
L. P.: We operate exclusively in the EMS (Emergency Medical
Service) sector. Our helicopters fly out of 88 bases in the
United States, and every year transport approximately 56,000
passengers and notch up 59,000 flight hours.
Our customers are hospitals, health care facilities, state and
county districts, and private companies owning hospitals. It
goes without saying: our fleet is operational 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, every day of the year; and our foremost
concern is, of course, to save lives. Our missions are split
between transporting the sick and injured to the nearest hospital
and transferring patients from one hospital
to another to receive specialized care.
What advantages does the EC135 bring
to this type of activity?
L. P.: Without the shadow of a doubt: its
excellent performances and reliability,
which are vital because life is never on
stand-by. Another of this aircraft’s
advantages is undeniably the ease
of maintenance and its cycles,
which have been significantly
reduced. This is a fast aircraft; it is
also economical, dependable, and
our customers really appreciate
its spacious cabin. From mid-2007,
we’ll be able to introduce 10 extra
EC135s in our fleet. We know we can
count 100% on the support of American
Eurocopter.
