An Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter based at Poplar Bluff's airport is expected to relocate in approximately a week.
The unit will move to a permanent home at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, said Municipal Airport interim director Gary Pride.
Messages left Monday for the Air Evac corporation were not returned as of press time.
A fixed wing King Air 90 will remain at the airport, which is in talks with Air Evac to become home to a second fixed wing aircraft, said Pride.
"We're really appreciative that they have been out here and it has worked really well for them and for the airport," said Pride.
Air Evac began constructing a new hangar and fuel tank on the west side of the Oak Grove Road hospital after a competing air ambulance service expressed interest in a permanent location at PBRMC, Pride said.
The company also has a hangar at the city airport for its fixed wing plane, which is currently shared by the helicopter.
Air Evac would need to construct or rent a second hangar at the airport if it decides to locate a larger fixed wing aircraft to Poplar Bluff, Pride said. A King Air 200 has been discussed, he said.
"They're testing the viability of that possibility," Pride said.
The Poplar Bluff airport would offer a central location for the base, he said.
A fixed wing Air Evac plane has been based in Poplar Bluff since 2011.
These planes provide a faster means of transportation for longer transports and the capability of flights during inclement weather when a helicopter is not acceptable, according to Air Evac.
It also offers an additional asset when the helicopter is committed to another flight, the organization said in 2011.
Air Evac has more than 130 air medical bases across 15 states, according to the corporate website. It operates the world's largest fleet of 150 Bell 206 Long Ranger helicopters.