Helicopter With Extra Seat Now Used By Air Evac

By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Air Evac team now flies a larger helicopter with an extra seat that can be used to transport a family member when a patient is being airlifted during a medical emergency.
The new helicopter–which is a Bell 407 GXP–is stationed out of the Air Evac base at the Henry County Airport in Cottage Grove. It was on display at Thursday’s Back to School Blast at the Central Services building in Paris.
Air Evac Public Relations Manager Shelly Schneider said the new aircraft has a cruising speed of 143 mph. Like the Bell 206, the Bell 407 is equipped with several safety features, including: autopilot, the Garmin 1000, Garmin Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System, SkyTrac® satellite tracking, and Night Vision Goggles.
The Bell 407 also features another seat, so a parent may be able to fly with the crew when a child is being transported or another family member can fly along with the patient during an emergency. Mark Pierce, Program Director for Air Evac Team 127 in Henry County, told WENK/WTPR the extra seat could be used by law enforcement when Air Evac is transporting a prisoner.
Photo — Families tour the new helicopter at the Back to School Blast. Photo by Shannon McFarlin