JACKSONVILLE — Trinity Mother Frances’ new American Eurocopter EC 145 made a pass around Jacksonville Tuesday morning to show off what it’s made of.

Medical Transport Services Administrator Arnie Spiers said the $7 million aircraft was first acquired about a year ago to add to the hospital’s regional air fleet. It is the hospital’s new Flight for Life helicopter.

“This one is about 30 percent bigger on the inside than the older model,” Spiers said. “It can lift about 900 pounds more.”

Pilot Alan West said with the crew, equipment and additional fuel already factored in, the aircraft can lift up to 770 pounds.

“The range is as far as Houston,” West said. “Normally it’s about 80 miles around Tyler.”

He said the 8,000-pound copter can travel up to 173 miles per hour at up to 18,000 feet — higher than the pilot can fly without needing a supply of oxygen.

West, who has flown Blackhawk and Apache helicopters in the military, added the aircraft can stay aloft nearly twice as long as the older vehicle at almost three hours.

Spiers said the older helicopter, bought in 1985, lasted more than 20 years and is still in service. He said he expects the EC 145 to last just as long.

West said the aircraft is used for two types of flights.

“About 50 percent of the time we land on the roadway when we hear about a wreck,” West said. “The other half of the flights are hospital transfers.”

Spiers said the new helicopter contains a sizable new medical suite for patient treatment.

“Short of doing surgery, these guys have the capability to treat patients in the helicopter,” Spiers said. “It’s a mobile Intensive Care Unit.”

The flight crew for the helicopter consists of a pilot, a flight nurse and flight paramedic.

Its pilot has access to night vision technology identical to that used by military forces in the Middle East.

West said the goggles allow him to practically see in the dark as they magnify pieces of light to enable crew members to see emergency lights up to 30 miles away.

In addition, the aircraft also contains technology to spot landscape features such as transmission towers, buildings and the ground itself. An automated voice will notify the pilot of such obstacles during flight. It also has a fully functional autopilot.

Spiers said the new acquisition will be a boon to the Jacksonville area.

“We are very proud of it and proud to serve the citizens of Jacksonville,” Spiers said. “I hope no one here has to use the helicopter, but if you do then know you’re with the best team in East Texas.”

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