Rotortrade completes Bell 429 deal supporting Mercy Flight Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Jun. 16, 2026—Rotortrade, the global helicopter dealership, announces the successful acquisition and resale of a Bell 429 helicopter to Mercy Flight Inc., supporting the operator’s emergency medical services (EMS) operations in the United States. The 2013 aircraft was previously operated in Montana for private transportation missions, primarily serving high-net-worth individuals between Bozeman Airport and the Yellowstone Club area. The helicopter has now been acquired by Mercy Flight Inc., an independent, nonprofit U.S.-based EMS operator, and will undergo a full EMS retrofit at Summit Helicopters in Virginia before entering service in the Buffalo, New York region. Entry into operations is expected following an approximately six-month completion program. As part of the transaction process, representatives from Rotortrade and Mercy Flight jointly conducted a pre-purchase inspection in Bozeman, Montana, confirming the aircraft’s overall condition prior to transfer. Rotortrade subsequently ferried the helicopter to its FAA Part 145-certified MRO facility in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where the aircraft underwent inspection and technical preparation ahead of delivery. The transaction highlights Rotortrade’s integrated approach combining helicopter sales, technical support, and operational coordination within a single platform. By leveraging its in-house MRO capabilities and logistical expertise, Rotortrade ensured a smooth transition from VIP transport configuration toward its future EMS mission. Paul Desagneaux, Sales Manager at Rotortrade, who led the transaction, commented: “This transaction highlights the value of having both sales and MRO capabilities integrated within the same organization, allowing us to manage the aircraft efficiently and keep the project moving without delay. We acquired and held the aircraft for a period of time while Mercy Flight finalized its financing, bridging the gap between purchase and resale timelines. This turnkey capability underscores our unique position in the industry, allowing us to best support our clients within their acquisition parameters.” Scott Wooton, Executive Vice President at Mercy Flight Inc., added: “We appreciated Rotortrade’s proactive approach and transparency throughout the process. The Bell 429 was presented in very good condition, and Rotortrade’s ability to manage the logistics and support the transition toward EMS configuration gave us confidence that the project would move forward smoothly and on schedule. We’re thrilled to be able to add another critical lifesaving asset to the communities we serve via Rotortrade’s sales network.” This transaction further reinforces Rotortrade’s growing activity within the EMS sector, a market segment that continues to see strong demand for immediately available, mission-ready twin-engine helicopters across North America.
