Story ID: 
Metro Aviation Completes Two Airbus H135s 
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: Calstar is the first U.S. customer for the twin-engine rotorcraft.
Word Count: 190
Metro Aviation has delivered two Airbus Helicopters H135s (P3) to California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (Calstar), the first of five H135 air medical transport helicopters the operator ordered last year. Calstar is the first U.S. customer for this updated variant.  

“Calstar is happy to receive the first two Airbus H135 (P3) aircraft to be delivered in the U.S. This aircraft proved its capabilities to us during a rigorous, competitive fly-off we conducted last August from our South Lake Tahoe base,” said Lynn Malmstrom, Calstar president and CEO. “Our pilots and crews were enthusiastically in favor of moving forward with this aircraft; and from a fleet, maintenance, and support perspective, it fits beautifully with our new fleet of eight Airbus EC135P2+s.”

The H135 boasts increased power with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B3 turbine engines driving a new, larger main rotor. It carries 440 more pounds of payload in hot-and-high operating conditions and offers improved performance and payload at lower altitudes. The aircraft also includes a modern glass cockpit with the Garmin GTN 750 fully integrated navigation, communication and GPS avionics system