The first emergency medical helicopter in Bulgaria starts test flights in November

In mid-November, the first helicopter for emergency medical assistance in Bulgaria will start flight tests, Deputy Minister of Health, prof. Ilko Getov, said during a visit to the base of Leonardo S.p.A in the Italian town of Vergate, where the first of six helicopters for air medical sevies is currently being built, the Ministry of Health reported on October 17.

The Bulgarian delegation is led by Transport and Communications Minister, Georgi Gvozdeykov. He stressed that the documents for the licensing of Bulgaria Heli Med Service Ltd as an aviation operator have already been submitted and by the time the first helicopter arrives in the country, the company will have a licence.

According to him, the advantage of the fact that the emergency medical assistance by air in Bulgaria is being built now is that helicopters of the latest generation will be purchased and the country will have access to the highest class avionics.

During the talks, the possibility of supplying two additional helicopters, which is included in the contract, was also discussed. Deputy Minister of Health, prof. Ilko Getov, explained that according to the clauses in the contract, by the end of next year Bulgaria can order two more helicopters without any change in price.

Images by Ministry of Health

The Bulgarian delegation visited the Leonardo S.p.A flight simulator and training centre, where two Bulgarian pilots and two engineers are currently being trained for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The company stressed that the team shows an extremely high level of training and professionalism.