Air Methods history

Air Methods Corporation was founded in Colorado in 1982 as a research and development company then doing business as Cell Technology.

As an independent provider since 1988, Mercy's operations included medical care, aircraft operations and maintenance, FAA training and support, 24-hour communications and dispatch, and medical billing and collections.

Mercy's community-based model stemmed largely from the managed care environment of southern California in 1989.

1994: The company sells all outstanding common shares of Golden Eagle Charters, Inc.

1995: An international franchise with Unimed Air de Sao Paulo of Brazil is established.

In 1996, Air Methods secured a contract to provide medical interior systems for two United States army UH-60Q medical evacuation helicopters.

By the end of 1997, the company's flight division was also providing air medical transport services in 16 states under 21 long-term operating agreements using a fleet of 35 helicopters and 3 airplanes.

In 2002, the company was named number 30 on the "100 America's Fastest Growing Small Companies" list in the July-August issue of Fortune Small Business Magazine.

Air Methods purchased CJ Systems Aviation Group, a leading provider of aeromedical transport, in October 2007.

In July 2011, Air Methods (Air Methods International, Ltd.) entered into a joint venture agreement with Basari Holding, AS and Anka Aerospace & Defense, LLC to form Helistar, AS. The joint venture company is headquartered in Ankara, Turkey.

In October 2012, Air Methods opened its state-of-the-art technologically advanced training center in Aurora, Colorado.

In 2016, Air Methods acquired Tri-State Care Flight.

In 2017, Air Methods was purchased by American Securities LLC.