Bristow Helicopters hopes to receive the first UK-built AW189 configured for search and rescue operations later this month, following certification of the variant in late December.
The operator has already taken delivery of an Italian-assembled example, with that aircraft (G-MCGM) arriving at its Norwich facility in the east of England in November.
However, all future SAR-configured AW189s will be assembled at the manufacturer’s Yeovil, UK factory. The first of these (G-MCGN) “will be delivered to us later this month” says Bristow.
AgustaWestland
It will utilise the rotorcraft on its contract with the UK government as it progressively takes over search and rescue activities from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
Delays to certification of the SAR variant and slow progress in establishing the production line at Yeovil have prompted the operator to develop contingency plans including the acquisition of a pair of smaller AW139s. Inverness is the first base due to operate the AW189s and is scheduled to go live on 1 April this year.
Alongside the mission equipment to have gained European Aviation Safety Agency approval on the AW189 – which includes a dual rescue hoist, forward-looking infrared camera, searchlight and larger fuel capacity – the helicopter has also seen its maximum all-up weight rise by 300kg to 8.6t, providing increased payload.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
