AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter and PremiAir were amongst a broad range of exhibitors that utilised the new-look Helitech International as a platform for an array of significant contract signings and service launches.  Taking place at ExCeL, London between 24 – 26 September, the exhibition is run in conjunction with the European Helicopter Association.

AgustaWestland announced the establishment of Gulf Helicopters as an AgustaWestland Authorised Training Centre.  The establishment of the training centre further cements the strong relationship between the two companies who will now jointly offer AW139 pilot training services to the market, whilst strengthening the growing global support and training footprint for the company’s aircraft.

Many visitors at the exhibition looked on as Milestone Aviation and AgustaWestland signed a multi-aircraft, multi-year framework agreement for the purchase of an undisclosed number of helicopters covering the AW169, AW139 and AW189 models.  “Our agreement with AgustaWestland enables Milestone Aviation to continue to expand globally and to provide our customers with near-term deliveries of the state-of-the-art rotorcraft that they require”, said Milestone Aviation’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Santulli.

Further to Bell Helicopters’ announcements on the opening day of the exhibition, the company revealed the delivery of the first Bell 407GX helicopter in Switzerland to Alpinlift Helikopter AG for utility operations.  The 407GX delivers both power and speed with a multi-mission ready cabin that accommodates up to six passengers.  Built upon the foundation of the Bell 407 platform, the 407GX features the Garmin – also an exhibitor at Helitech International – G1000H flight deck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and increased safety.  The fight deck’s high resolution LCD screens host primary flight and multi-function display information including, Helicopter Terrain Avoidance Warning System, Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology, Traffic Information Systems and much more.

In conjunction with National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW) Bell Helicopter also announced an agreement with Heli-Charter Ltd for the first Bell 429 configured for helicopter air ambulance operations in the UK.

Another announcement highlighting a success story came from PremiAir Aviation.  The company, now owned by Graham Avery, has rebranded its Blackbushe Airport facility in Surrey as The West London Heliport.  The heliport is designed to offer a cost efficient alternative for the South East region of the UK with landing fees coming in at a third of the price of existing costs.  In tandem with this, PremiAir intends to have its own small fleet of executive helicopters residing at Blackbushe and available for third party charter to complement visiting helicopters.  PremiAir has its own AOC, new EASA Part 145 authorisation, enabling line and base maintenance for helicopter types such as Bell, Sikorsky and Eurocopter.

“The location change from Duxford to London has been a welcome move for PremiAir.  We’ve had a very busy stand, with many international visitors, which has been ideal for us launching the new-look PremiAir,” said Graham Avery, PremiAir Chairman. “As a global aviation company, the launch of the West London Heliport presents a new chapter as it will provide specialist services geared to the large corporate client market and smaller helicopter owners.”