(11 February 2016) Finmeccanica, through its Helicopters Division, has delivered the first new generation AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter to the United Kingdom Specialist Aviation Services, a leading provider of helicopter services in the country, which has ordered a total of six helicopters of the same model. The aircraft will be used by the helicopter rescue service of the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and will thus be furnished with special medical equipment. The general manager of the Specialist Aviation Services, Henk Schaeken, said: “We are proud to introduce this new service in the UK, in support of one of the most important AW169 helicopter rescue operators of the country. To this end, we have devoted much effort in the training of our engineers and our pilots to ensure, from the outset, the high level of operational efficiency and support that our customers expect from us. ” Adrian Bell, CEO of Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, added: “This is a very important event for the development of helicopter rescue services in the UK, especially in the densely populated of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, of approximately 3,600 square miles. The AW169’s advanced features will allow us to further develop and improve the level of service offered to our community and our ability to save lives. In addition, the versatility of this model will ensure the ability to reconfigure these services according to future needs.” (Red)
