Bristow_AW189

Offshore transport services provider Bristow Helicopters has unveiled the twin-engine multirole AgustaWestland AW189 rotorcraft to its oil and gas customers, becoming the first operator to do so.

The pre-production variant of the rotorcraft was flown to Norwich International Airport and was showcased to several clients who will be offered its services from early 2014.

Bristow stated that it currently has six of the aircraft on order for North Sea oil and gas operations.

The 8t AW189 is expected to accommodate 16 passengers out to 140nm, which makes it suitable for offshore operations in the North Sea.

Bristow Helicopters managing director Mike Imlach said that the company has a long and productive relationship with AgustaWestland and is honoured to be the launch customer for the AW189.

"It is a superb aircraft, which will fill a gap between the medium and heavy helicopter markets," Imlach said.

"Once in operation, it will be of the highest technical specification, meet all the latest safety requirements and will enable us to offer our clients state-of-the-art capabilities."

"Once in operation, it will be of the highest technical specification, meet all the latest safety requirements and will enable us to offer our clients state-of-the-art capabilities."

The company expects to put AW189s into service in Q1 2014 following the receipt of required certifications and the completion of training.

Bristow plans to install an AW189 flight simulator at its Dyce training base in early 2015, which will help it train the pilots in-house.

Bristow recently signed a contract with AgustaWestland for 11 search-and-rescue (SAR) AW189s, which will be used for the UK SAR contract.

In March, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) awarded a £1.6bn contract to Bristow Helicopters to provide civilian SAR helicopter services nationwide.

SAR operations will commence in 2015 and continue until 2026.

Bristow Helicopters, a UK affiliate of Bristow Group, provides helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, and is one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations.

Image: Bristow stated that it has six AW189s on order for North Sea oil and gas operations. Photo: courtesy of Bristow Group Inc.

Defence Technology