Hammonds Air Service, 200 Aviation Rd, Houma, LA 70363, US

Metro Aviation was incorporated in 1982 as a helicopter charter, flight training, and maintenance operation. Our entry into the air medical service business came in November 1983, when Metro Aviation entered into a long-term agreement to provide helicopter ambulance service for Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Starting with Schumpert and continuing with every customer thereafter, Metro has remained committed to a simple, involved management style. Multi-tiered management structures slow down communications and prolong the decision-making process. Our clients do not have to deal with cumbersome infrastructures that characterize many larger companies. Metro Aviation's entire management is always available for questions, comments and decisions. The hands-on style practiced by our senior management often results in preventing potential issues and working through any areas of concern before they become problems. This basic business practice was laid as Metro's cornerstone and has remained in place ever since. Today, Metro Aviation's reputation for excellence in helicopter transportation services is internationally recognized. As such, we have enjoyed substantial growth. It is important to note, however, that Metro Aviation's growth has been carefully controlled to assure our financial stability and to allow us the opportunity to select only the most qualified personnel. Metro Aviation now has air medical transport operations throughout the United States. Hospitals sign ten and even twelve-year contracts with us because of the advantages of: 1) caps on price escalation; 2) our strong equity position; 3) our commitment to minimizing aircraft downtime (we have a 98.8% mission performance rate); and 4) our commitment to safety, service and leadership.