February 8 , 2017
Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) was the first civilian EMS helicopter service in the U.S. to use Night Vision Goggles (NVG). Metro Aviation was the first air medical operator to equip its entire fleet with NVG’s. Innovation attracts innovation and it only makes sense that the two companies would eventually work together. Metro recently welcomed MAMA as its newest operations customer and looks forward to a long partnership.
“Safety, commitment to customer service and Metro Aviation’s philosophy are just a few of the reasons why MAMA chose Metro Aviation as our aviation provider,” said MAMA Supervisor John Grindstaff. “The strong, collaborative partnership between MAMA and Metro is evident in the recent completion of an EC135 T2+ aircraft for the MAMA program. Metro incorporated several ideas from the MAMA team into their existing product line, producing an EMS aircraft that will suit our needs for years to come.”
Metro completed the program’s aircraft at its completion center in Shreveport, Louisiana. The aircraft is equipped with the Outerlink IRIS system for flight data, voice and video monitoring, flight following and push-to-talk communications. Medical equipment on board includes an isolette, ventilator, IV warmer and air pump. After many years of service, the program’s original EC135 is receiving a number of modifications and updates. Metro is providing a spare aircraft while the work is completed at PAC International, a Metro Aviation company.
“MAMA has a long history of serving their community with high quality, innovative care,” said Metro President and CEO Mike Stanberry. “They have been around nearly as long as we have, and we are glad to finally have the opportunity to serve them in an operations capacity.”
MAMA covers 10,000 square miles in just two to three flights a day, and performs about 90 flights each month. Based in Asheville, North Carolina at Mission Health System, the air program serves areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
“MAMA is happy to announce our new partnership with Metro Aviation,” said Grindstaff. “We are looking forward to Metro joining the MAMA team and supporting our efforts to continue MAMA’s legacy of air medical transport that has spanned more than 30 years.”
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Metro Aviation is constantly growing our capabilities and expanding our reach. Metro holds more than 30 Supplemental type Certificates (STC) and completes about 35 aircraft each year for U.S. customers anf global clients.



