News STARS chopper - Photo credit to Lyle Aspinall

By rdnewsNOW staff

FLEET UPGRADE

Capital Power to donate $1 million to help renew STARS helicopters

Feb 6, 2020 | 6:04 AM

EDMONTON- The Capital Power company has made a commitment to help the STARS fleet with much needed upgrades.

Back in June of 2018, STARS released information on a multi-year project to replace its emergency helicopter fleet of BK117 and AW139 aircraft with nine new fully medical purposed Airbus H145 helicopters.

After an extensive review by STARS, it was decided to roll with the H145 because of the “cutting-edge technology” and other add-ons that give the aircraft a new look.

“The bulk of our aging fleet is no longer being built and is becoming costlier to maintain,” said Andrea Robertson, STARS president and CEO. “Additionally, independent assessments of the sustainability of our fleet told us we needed to move from two aircraft types to one.”

STARS has been flying missions with its new H145 airbus from the Calgary base since the start of July 2019, with the help of the Government of Canada and the Alberta government.

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Now, because of Capital Power’s generosity, the company’s logo will be placed on the rear door of two of the STARS new helicopters.

Capital Power’s donation is the largest contribution by any corporation from the Edmonton area.

The rest of the fleet will be delivered by the set date of 2022, if everything goes to plan.