newstodate.aero
May 18, 2015 (newstodate): The Faroese carrier Atlantic Airways has decided to upgrade its helicopter fleet with new aircraft.
The company has placed an order with AgustaWestland for delivery of two AW139 helicopters to replace its two aging Bell 412 aircraft that have provided domestic flights as well as SAR operations.
The new aircraft are slated for delivery by mid-2016 and will significantly expand the range of SAR operations to cover the entire 200 nm territorial border, where they can operate for 30 minutes in case of an emergency.
In comparison, the Bell 412 has only a range of 127 nm, if it is to operate in an emergency situation for 30 minutes.
For emergency situations and patient transport, the AW 139 can carry two stretchers, two crew members in the cabin and four next-of-kin compared to the one stretcher, two crew members in the cabin and three next-of-kin in the Bell 412.
On commercial flights, the new helicopters can carry 15 passengers, compared to only nine on the Bell 412.
A further benefit is also new helicopters' advanced RNP-technology, also in use on-board the carrier's Airbus aircraft, which makes it possible to fly at lower altitudes and in lower visibility than is possible today.
Atlantic Airways is already familiar with the AW 139, having leased this aircraft type earlier in serving customers in the oil industry.
The company has placed an order with AgustaWestland for delivery of two AW139 helicopters to replace its two aging Bell 412 aircraft that have provided domestic flights as well as SAR operations.
The new aircraft are slated for delivery by mid-2016 and will significantly expand the range of SAR operations to cover the entire 200 nm territorial border, where they can operate for 30 minutes in case of an emergency.
In comparison, the Bell 412 has only a range of 127 nm, if it is to operate in an emergency situation for 30 minutes.
For emergency situations and patient transport, the AW 139 can carry two stretchers, two crew members in the cabin and four next-of-kin compared to the one stretcher, two crew members in the cabin and three next-of-kin in the Bell 412.
On commercial flights, the new helicopters can carry 15 passengers, compared to only nine on the Bell 412.
A further benefit is also new helicopters' advanced RNP-technology, also in use on-board the carrier's Airbus aircraft, which makes it possible to fly at lower altitudes and in lower visibility than is possible today.
Atlantic Airways is already familiar with the AW 139, having leased this aircraft type earlier in serving customers in the oil industry.