EC-145 / Flight for LifeEC 145 air ambulance helicopter model. The EC 145 was a joint development between Eurocopter and Kawasaki Heavy Industries with the aim of significantly increasing the cabin space and take off weight of the BK 117 C 1. Originally called the BK 117 C 2, the helicopter was selected by the French Defense &, Civil Guard for air rescue missions in December 1997 and 32 were ordered at a cost of one billion French Francs. The first BK 117 C 2 completed its