SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services has a new medical helicopter and Air Link has a brand new look. Med-Trans Corporation, which oversees Air Link’s aviation operations, delivered a brand new Bell 407GX helicopter to the medical center on Sunday. The new aircraft is black, red, and gray and its tail number is N911NE. It is the fourth helicopter to be used by Air Link.

Rob Hamilton, chief operating officer of Med-Trans said, “Technology in both aviation and health care is constant. Our partnership with Regional West Medical Center demonstrates their level of dedication to health care advancements each and every day. Med-Trans is augmenting that commitment by providing the latest and greatest in aviation technology with a brand new Bell 407GX.”

The new helicopter is equipped with the latest technology. Air Link pilot Gil Watkins said the biggest difference between the new helicopter and old one is the new glass cockpit. The old aircraft had round gauges and the new aircraft has multifunctional television screen-like displays. It also features autopilot, which helps maintain altitude and air speed and is helpful when landing in bad weather.

“This is state of the art. Airliners have been using these displays for a number of years and now Bell is working them into their helicopters,” said Watkins.

Air Link was an essential factor in Regional West obtaining Level II Trauma Center status in 1995. It is now one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska, and the only one west of Kearney.

Med-Trans will be training the Air Link pilots and crew on the new aircraft in the coming weeks. An official unveiling will be held in the near future. In the meantime, Air Link will be in active service transporting patients via a helicopter on loan from Med-Trans.

Follow Air Link daily by liking them on Facebook at Facebook.com/AirLink.RWHS.

Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center, Regional West Physicians Clinic, and Regional West Garden County. These organizations, with over 1,900 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.

Med-Trans Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading provider of air ambulance programs throughout the United States. A proven solution to our partners, Med-Trans offers an array of customized air medical program designs including hybrid models, community based models or traditional, hospital-based models. The company’s extensive fleet rapidly delivers teams of highly trained professionals to patients, striving to provide the patient with the best possible outcome.