In early May, a delegation from Greece traveled to Fargo, North Dakota, to perform final inspections and formally accept the newest dedicated air medical Beechcraft King Air 360C for use in the country’s national air ambulance program.
The group included representatives from several organizations involved in helping ensure that ill and injured patients receive immediate safe air transport from remote areas of the country to central locations in Greece and Europe to receive the urgent care they need.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation provided a grant for the procurement of the additional King Air to further strengthen the capabilities of the country’s air ambulance services. The grants for this airplane and four previous aircraft, totaling $41.6 million, are part of the foundation’s Global Health Initiative.
The Hellenic Ministry of Health owns the aircraft; the National Center for Emergency Care, also known as EKAB, uses the aircraft; and the Hellenic air force assists in flight operations.
“As the nationwide public ambulance service in Greece, EKAB is celebrating 40 years of service,” said Dr. Demetrios Pyrros, director of medical services for EKAB. “This additional aircraft will enhance our capacity to serve the Greek citizens, as well as the 30+ million annual visitors who may need emergency medical transport. The generosity of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation makes this possible, and we are looking forward to putting it in operational use with the support of the Hellenic air force.”
The King Air 360C joins four aircraft used exclusively by the National Center for Emergency Care’s specialized air ambulance staff of flying doctors, rescuers and nurses since 2021: two fully outfitted Augusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters and two Beechcraft King Air 350C airplanes. During their first three years of operation, the four aircraft already in service have completed 2,000 air transports.
Once the 360C featuring a cargo door rolled off the production line at Textron Aviation in Wichita, Kansas, it flew to Fargo Jet Center’s special mission aircraft modification center at Hector International Airport (KFAR) for the air ambulance conversion. Fargo Jet Center managed the full interior completion of the aircraft, partnering with Spectrum Aeromed, whose headquarters are also located at KFAR, on the medical equipment integration.
“At Fargo Jet Center, we take pride in delivering mission-ready aircraft tailored to the unique requirements of each operator,” said Darren Hall, vice president, Business Development, Fargo Jet Center. “For this King Air 360C, our team worked closely with EKAB and Spectrum Aeromed to integrate advanced medical systems and develop a custom interior that enhances patient care and crew efficiency. This aircraft represents the highest standards of reliability and innovation in air medical transport.”
The comprehensive air ambulance completion included full cabin integration of dual Spectrum life support systems; medical-grade stainless steel sidewalls for sanitation and durability; integrated oxygen, air, vacuum and power outlets; custom medical cabinet and forward storage cabinets; overhead Brownline tracks for flexible equipment mounting and positioning; and high-efficiency LED cabin lighting.
Fargo Jet Center also modified the King Air 350C aircraft delivered to Greece’s Ministry of Health in 2021.
“It’s an honor to support Greece’s investment in air medical transport,” said Jim Sweeney, president of Fargo Jet Center. “Our team takes great pride in transforming these aircraft into flying intensive care units. We understand that every detail matters when lives are on the line, and we’re proud to deliver a platform that’s ready to serve from day one.”
Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography