FAI rent-a-jet Aktiengesellschaft has undertaken its first conversion of a civilian Global Express into a medevac aircraft. FAI has contracted Spectrum Aeromed to develop and build a bespoke intensive care unit (ICU). When complete, the ICU will be installed on the Global Express by FAI’s MRO subsidiary, FAI Technik, in Nuremberg, Germany. The aircraft is currently undergoing a 12-month C-check, installation of a new XRS cabin and other upgrades. It will be based at FAI’s facility at Albrecht Dürer International Airport in Nuremberg, Germany. It is expected to enter service in its new configuration before the end of 2015.
“With this conversion we are trying to fill a small, but important niche in the air ambulance market for ultra-long-range transport of VIP patients from Asia and the Middle East to and from the USA,” said Siegfried Axtmann, chairman at FAI. “We initially collaborated with Spectrum three years ago, when we developed the first multi-patient interior for a CRJ200. That project was extremely successful, so we have once again chosen Spectrum, as we know they can match our expectations in terms of scope of work, budget and delivery times.”
The ICU’s basic system can also be used on FAI’s Challenger and Learjet aircraft types.
In addition, FAI has added a ninth Learjet 60 to its fleet, continuing its strategy of replacing its older aircraft types with newer models. The Learjet 60 is earmarked for special-mission and medevac flights.
August 20, 2015
