Nova Scotia’s new Life Flight helicopters won’t be arriving until next month.
The province announced in January, two new Sikorsky 76C+ would replace the existing equipment at a cost of $105 million dollars.
At that time, EHS Director Larry Crewson expected they would arrive by August 1.
He says extra time was needed to outfit the aircraft after the helicopter crews provided feedback on the design .
“The ones that are actually going to be doing the work in the back of the helicopter had a look at the interior and came up with some changes they would like. Mainly with patient safety, some crew safety and just more ergonomic and redundant systems.”
Those changes are being made at no extra cost to the province.
“Because we’re looking at these aircraft servicing our province for the next 15 years, we thought, a one month delay or so to get this right and upgraded now is a perfect idea.”
Crewson now anticipates it will be September before the helicopters arrive.
They will be put into service sometime in October once crews receive training.
***Photo courtesy of Nova Scotia EHS