heliservice AW169 contract

Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland announced today that HeliService international GmbH has signed a contract for an AW169 light intermediate helicopter. This aircraft will be delivered by autumn 2016 through specialist aviation lessor LCI Helicopters to undertake offshore operations in the North Sea.

AgustaWestland  07 October 2015 16:25


Marking the entry of the new type in the North Sea Offshore market and the first AW169 customer for offshore operations in Europe


Leading company HeliService international to strengthen its service capabilities with the AW169’s new generation design


Aircraft to be delivered in autumn 2016, expanding the global success of the new model

  
More than 150 AW169s ordered by customers around the world to date, including framework contracts and options, for a wide range of applications

 

 

Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland announced today that HeliService international GmbH has signed a contract for an AW169 light intermediate helicopter. This aircraft will be delivered by autumn 2016 through specialist aviation lessor LCI Helicopters to undertake offshore operations in the North Sea.

 

This order marks the first AW169 customer for this application globally and the entry of the all new model into the German helicopter market. HeliService international’s latest generation AW169 will feature a specially customized configuration including a dedicated offshore interior and rescue hoist to support maintenance personnel attending wind turbines. HeliService international will achieve a quantum leap in its capabilities through the performance, technology and safety standards inherent in the modern design of the AW169 which makes it the most advanced helicopter in its category currently available for utility operations.

 

Managing Directors Eberhard Herr and Nils Herrmann are certain: “After an extensive investigation of all relevant helicopter-types available, we are fully confident to having chosen the perfect match for our offshore customer’s demand for high-quality and safe operation, yet being economically efficient. Also, the consistent development with the “bigger brothers” AW139 already in our fleet, convinced us to facilitate extra services while using the existing experiences of both our flight-crews and our engineering department. Especially for Hoist-Operations onto wind turbines, the AW169 outperforms in every relevant aspect – particularly in range and payload.”

 

Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, says: “We’re delighted to be strengthening our existing partnership with Heliservice by introducing the innovative, new AW169 to their fleet alongside the AW139s we already lease to them. These state-of-the-art helicopters are helping to ensure the efficiency of Heliservice’s operations.”

 

Note to Editors on the AW169 Helicopter 


A versatile, new generation twin engine light intermediate category helicopter, the AW169 has been designed in response to the growing market demand for an aircraft that delivers high performance, meets all the latest safety standards and has multi-role capabilities. The first all new aircraft in its weight category to enter the market in more than 30 years, the AW169 4.6 tonne is certified in accordance with EASA CS-29 / FAR Part 29 latest Amendments. The AW169 can comfortably accommodate up to ten passengers in its large, unobstructed cabin, fitted with a range of customised equipment and entertainment systems. The type incorporates several new technology features in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems. The AW169 is designed with inherent ease of maintenance, for reliable, intensive utilisation in the most demanding conditions with high time between overhauls (TBO) and minimal life-limited parts. A Flight Training Device (FTD) and a maintenance training simulator are already operational at AgustaWestland’s Sesto Calende Training Academy in Italy, while a Level D Full Flight Simulator will be available in 2016. More than 150 AW169 helicopters have been ordered by customers around the world to date, including framework contracts and options, for a wide range of applications including executive/corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, offshore transport and utility roles. The AW169 helicopter is part of AgustaWestland’s family of new generation helicopters that also includes the AW139 and AW189. These helicopters all possess the same high-performance flight characteristics and safety features whilst sharing the same common cockpit concept and design philosophy. This approach facilitates synergies for operators of fleets across the 4 to 9 tonne categories in areas such as training, flight operations, maintenance and support.

 

HeliService international GmbH Background Information


Established in 1987, HeliService delivers rescue service, aviation school, passenger and cargo transports, training for offshore service-personnel, and acts as a maintenance organisation.
With more than 25 years experience in commercial air transportation, HeliService international has established a core competence in offshore aviation by transporting personnel and cargo to and from wind farms, research and construction vessels as well as transporting injured personnel. Unique specialties include helicopter hoist operations (HHO) directly onto offshore wind turbines.
Since 2004, two ship-borne helicopters have been specially fitted to accompany the research vessel RV Polarstern on expeditions of the German Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) to the Arctic and Antarctica. In addition to the support of research operations, these helicopters serve as means for the recovery of injured personnel.
Flight operations are currently performed from Emden, Bremerhaven, Husum (all Germany) and project based from Esbjerg, Denmark.

 

LCI Background Information


LCI is owned by Libra Group (www.libra.com), an international business group with 30 subsidiaries operating across six continents. Libra Group’s subsidiaries are primarily focused on aviation, shipping, 
hospitality, energy and real estate, along with selected diversified investments. LCI Helicopters’ total fleet comprises 90 delivered and ordered helicopters, including the market-leading AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters, and next generation Airbus Helicopters H175 and H225s. LCI’s helicopters are currently in operation across four continents – Asia, Australasia, Africa and Europe. Since its inception in 2004, LCI has acquired fixed wing and rotary aircraft with a combined value of approaching US$6 billion. For more information, please visit: www.lciaviation.com