新西兰空中救护服务订购 BETA 的 eVTOL 飞机
New Zealand Air Ambulance Service orders BETA’s eVTOL aircraft
打开原文新西兰空中救护服务订购 BETA 的 eVTOL 飞机，计划从 2028 年开始用于医疗运输，这标志着 eVTOL 在医疗急救领域的应用进展。该订单涉及两架 ALIA 飞机及 10 架的购买选择，显示了 eVTOL 在实际运营中的潜力。
Photo Info
Estimated reading time 6 minutes, 18 seconds.
New Zealand Air Ambulance Service (NZAAS) has placed a deposit-backed order for eVTOL aircraft manufactured by BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company based in Burlington, Vermont.
New Zealand’s largest air ambulance and specialized air charter operator will utilize the all-electric, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to conduct air ambulance and patient transport operations across the country beginning in 2028.
NZAAS currently operates at six bases across New Zealand, delivering trusted, high-quality service across all corners of the country, the South Pacific, and beyond. With this order — which includes the purchase of two ALIA eVTOLs, and options for another 10 — the company will add BETA’s ALIA eVTOL to its fleet, which include light jets and King Air turboprops, all equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and aeromedical outfitting.
The ALIA eVTOL offers a reliable, low-cost, and quiet platform for air transport, and with its proven performance, it is well equipped to navigate the diverse terrain of New Zealand.
This marks BETA’s second New Zealand-based customer, following a multi-phase CTOL order from Air New Zealand and growing demand for the company’s charging infrastructure in the region.
“As the CEO of Skyline Healthcare Group, I am thrilled to announce our exclusive partnership with BETA Technologies to bring eVTOL into New Zealand,” said Annabel Toogood, group chief executive officer.
“As an organization we have always been future focused, and introducing BETA’s cutting-edge eVTOL technology into the New Zealand Air Ambulance Service will complement our existing fleet of fixed-wing and jet aircraft. This innovative solution redefines air ambulance operations, allowing us to undertake inter hospital transfers from hospital to hospital in a safe, and carbon-neutral platform which will increase rescue helicopter availability for pre-hospital missions and offer patient transfers at nearly half the cost of traditional rescue helicopters.
“By integrating eVTOL technology, we aim to bridge the gap for rural and vulnerable communities, providing seamless access to essential care. This collaboration is a transformative step forward for healthcare transportation, and we are thrilled to lead this change. Our team looks forward to working closely with BETA’s team, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and our major customers to set this new benchmark for sustainable healthcare in New Zealand.”
“ALIA is capable of diverse mission sets, and with its high reliability and up-time it lends itself to urgent medical missions like New Zealand Air Ambulance Service,” said Patrick Buckles, BETA’s sales lead.
“Our biggest aim with this technology is to increase access and unlock new and critical routes. With its low operating costs, regional range, and runway independence, we are excited for ALIA eVTOL to help NZAAS do just that throughout the North and South Islands.”
“We are very humbled to have played a very small part in introducing and facilitating the relationship between BETA and the NZ Air Ambulance Service,” said Air New Zealand chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Kiri Hannifin.
“It’s amazing to see the NZAAS forging the way and welcoming an ALIA eVTOL into their fleet to help transport patients across the motu. We’re looking forward to continuing to support their aircraft introduction in any way we can and thank them for bringing us on the journey with them.”
BETA is manufacturing its all-electric aircraft – including the ALIA eVTOL and its conventional counterpart, the ALIA CTOL – on the production line at its 200,000 square foot factory in Burlington, Vermont.
Both aircraft are optimized for payload and range, and fit for regional or intra-city transport with the ability to carry up to 1,250 lbs of payload or five-passengers and a pilot, depending on the configuration. Initially designed for medical cargo use, NZAAS will work with BETA to develop a medical cabin design that leverages the operator’s expertise and uniquely fit its needs.
In nearly five years of performance testing, BETA’s aircraft have landed at more than 90 airports in the U.S. and Canada, completed deployments with the U.S. Air Force, and completed the industry’s first full, manned eVTOL transitions.
In addition to its aircraft, BETA is also rolling out an electric charging network. Today, there are 38 BETA chargers online across the U.S., with dozens more in development. Air New Zealand has also announced purchase orders to expand the charger network in the North and South Islands.
This press release was prepared and distributed by BETA Technologies.
Flying Life-Saving Missions in the Airbus H145 D3 with ChristianaCare LifeNet
HeliTrader Listings
Careers
Notice a spelling mistake or typo?
Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.
Have a story idea you would like to suggest?
Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.
来源：verticalmag.com · verticalmag.com