Story ID: 426
Textron Aviation Lands Air Ambulance Order
By: David Donald
Caption: Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance has ordered a new fleet of King Air and Latitude aircraft to fulfil contract with Norwegian government.
Word Count: 180
Textron Aviation (Chalet A43-A45) has received an order from Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance to provide a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft for medevac services in Norway. The order covers 10 Beechcraft King Air 250s and a single Cessna Latitude, all configured for medical evacuation and air ambulance operations. The fleet is due for delivery by 2019.

Babcock’s order for the Latitude represents the first example of the jet to be configured for medevac. The aircraft has a modified door to allow stretchers to be loaded. The mid-size jet offers steep approach capability and short-runway performance, as well as a low cabin altitude. These make the aircraft well-suited to the air ambulance role, allowing it to operate across Norway, where many airfields have challenging approach requirements due to terrain. The Latitude also has the range to permit it to cover the whole country with direct flights.

At the same time, the King Air 250s are being delivered with CAT II capability for reduced-visibility operations. They also have steep approach capability, and are equipped for polar operations.