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All posts for the month June, 2019

Leonardo: Wiking signs 30 million euro contract for two AW139 helicopters to enhance offshore transport capabilities in Northern Europe.

  • Latest order adds to a four unit AW139 fleet; deliveries expected between 2019 and 2020
  • The AW139 is the aircraft of choice for demanding overseas operations in Northern Europe and worldwide
  • Over 1100 AW139s have been ordered by more than 270 customers in over 70 nations to date

Paris, 19 June 2019 – Leonardo announced today the signing of a contract valued at 30 million euro for two AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters with Wiking Helikopter Service GmbH of Germany. The aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in 2019 and 2020, will be used to perform offshore transport operations in Northern Europe, further expanding the AW139 fleet of Wiking which already operates four helicopters in the region.

Wiking has been an offshore transport specialist in the North and Baltic Sea areas for over 43 years. The Company also performs sea pilots transfer, windmill engineer hoisting service and emergency medical service operations. This latest AW139 contract provides more evidence of the unrivalled mission capabilities, operational efficiency and reliability of the world’s most successful type in its category to carry out demanding missions overseas. The AW139 fleet augmentation programme will allow Wiking to meet the evolving requirements of its clients.

The AW139 has proven extremely popular in the region for offshore, search and rescue, passenger transport and law enforcement duties. The type set new standards in terms of flight and mission technology, cabin space and comfort, performance, safety and reliability as well as introducing advanced support, maintenance and training services. The AW139 is even exceeding the evolving Oil&Gas market’s stringent requirements with unique features including a 60+ minutes run dry capable main gear box and full or limited ice protection system as an option to fly in known icing conditions for true all weather operations. Over 1100 AW139s have been ordered by more than 270 customers in more than 70 nations to date for any kind of mission. The global fleet has amassed over 2.3 million flight hours and the 1000th aircraft will be delivered this year.

Leonardo: Italian National Fire Corps expands AW139 helicopter fleet with €75 million order.

  • Contracts for five more AW139s add to the initial three-unit order, with two already delivered this year
  • Italy aims to progressively replace their decades-old AB412 helicopters with modern AW139s for disaster relief, firefighting and airborne rescues
  • 61 AW139s ordered by the Italian Government for public services to date; over 270 customers from around 70 nations have already ordered over 1100 AW139s

Paris, 18 June 2019 – Leonardo announced new signed contracts for five additional AW139s to the Italian National Fire Corps (Vigili del Fuoco, part of Ministry of the Interior), including integrated logistic support and training for crews and technicians. The orders, valued at over €75 million, add to the previously purchased three units, with two already delivered this year. The five new helicopters are expected to be delivered in June 2020.

The Italian National Fire Corps intends to progressively replace the decades-old AB412s helicopters and to guarantee optimal coverage and increased responsiveness across the country. Indeed, the introduction of the AW139 marks a major enhancement of airborne multirole capabilities with the world’s most modern helicopter for maritime and mountain Search and Rescue (SAR), medical rescue, firefighting and disaster relief duties. The fleet modernization programme includes an option for seven additional helicopters which could be added to the eight already ordered.

Over 816,000 rescues and sorties are performed every year countering fires across Europe, including many in Italy. The Italian National Fire Corps AW139 helicopters feature a wide range of mission equipment, including an external rescue hoist, cargo hook with bambi bucket provision, weather radar, multi-band and satellite communication systems, high definition Forward Looking Infra-Red / Low Light TV (FLIR/LLTV) system, Leonardo’s high definition mission console with digital recorder, high definition down link, Leonardo’s Optical Proximity LiDAR System (OPLS), Night Vision Goggle (NGV) capability, new generation Trakka searchlight, emergency floatation system and external life rafts, external loudspeaker, medical rack and bubble windows. The aircraft also feature an advanced 4-axis autopilot perfectly suited for SAR operations, including over the sea.

Very sad news today, involving N11NM AgustaWestland AW109S Grand operating HEMS on behalf of North Memorial Health … this helicopter was operated for several years in Italy as I-BSPL.

Please visit the following links for details about the accident: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/226646

Airbus Helicopters H125 [AS350B3e] ( c/n 8704 ) I-MLTZ
Airbus Helicopters H125 [AS350B3e] ( c/n 8712 ) I-MLTY

Two new Airbus Helicopters H125s were registered in May 2019 as I-MLTZ and I-MLTY, both will be operated from HeliXcom Srl out of their base in Caltanissetta (CL). Here two images of the freshly painted helicopters already wearing the new Italian markings.

ITALIAN ROTORS
Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil ( c/n 3680 ) I-DARJ

Thanks to Egidio FERRIGHI for this new image of the Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil I-DARJ now operated by Elitellina (still wearing the original Elimed color scheme) … on duty on behalf of AIB Regione Sardegna from Pula (CA) helipad, June 2019.

HELI WALLPAPERS 
Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22397 ) I-ERPA
ITALIAN ROTORS  
Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22397 ) I-ERPA

Thanks to Oscar BERNARDI, Davide OLIVATI and Tiziano CAPENTI for these images of the factory new Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22397 ) I-ERPA … wearing this unique grey camo livery. The helicopter was delivered at the end of May and pictured in Verona Boscomantico and at Mugello Race Circuit Helipad during the recent MotoGP 2019 event.

WORLD ROTORS  
Eurocopter AS355NP Ecureuil 2 ( c/n 5749 ) M-REEM

Thanks to Gianfilippo COLASANTO for this image of the Eurocopter AS355NP Ecureuil 2 M-REEM [ex I-ERPI] now registered to Kingdom 5-KR-267 Ltd, Cayman Islands, pictured at Caiolo (SO), May 2019.