Specialist Aviation Services has placed firm orders and options for six AW169 helicopters, in a contract signed by Henk Schaeken, group managing director, at the Farnborough air show.

The helicopters will among others be used for emergency services missions with deliveries commencing in 2015.

ÒThe AW169 perfectly matches the developments in specific parts of our market and supports the views we have for the future direction and markets of the company,Ó says Schaeken. ÒThe expanded capability and versatility offered by the AW169 and the support provided by AgustaWestland were key to our decision. We plan to engage our customers in the development phase of the aircraft to ensure it fully meets their requirements and we look forward to working with AgustaWestland to introduce the aircraft into our fleet.Ó

Contracts for more than 60 AW169s have now been signed by customers worldwide since its commercial launch in February 2011.

Emilio Dalmasso, svp commercial business unit, AgustaWestland, says: ÒWe are delighted that Specialist Aviation Services, a leader in the UK emergency services market, has chosen the new generation AW169 to meet its future requirements as it moves up to a 4.5 tonne category helicopter. We believe the AW169 with its new technology, exceptional performance and the latest safety features is set to become the class leader. The selection of the aircraft by Specialist Aviation Services confirms that the AW169 is ideally suited for a wide range of parapublic missions.Ó

The first AW169 performed its maiden flight in May on schedule and civil certification is expected in 2014. It shares a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept with the AW139 and AW189 models. ÒThis commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories,Ó says the manufacturer.

The Specialist Aviation Services group comprises Police Aviation Services and Medical Aviation Services, and European Support Centre in Belgium. It operates more than 30 aircraft of various types including 15 air ambulances and 13 police helicopters.