New generation search and rescue choppers land in Inverness
The new Leonardo choppers replace the Sikorsky's which have been in service since 2015
The HM Coastguard search and rescue base in Inverness has welcomed two Leonardo AW189 helicopters, serving the Highlands and Islands and further afield as part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s airborne response.
The aircraft replace two Sikorsky S92 helicopters, which have been in active service out of Inverness since 2015. Each £20 million AW189 helicopter is operated by Bristow Helicopters, on behalf of HM Coastguard.
The Coastguard base at Inverness is the fifth and final location in the UK to fly this new model of helicopter for SAR missions. Inverness is one of 10 strategically located sites around the UK which are operated by Bristow and the team of 32 at the Highland base.
The Leonardo AW189 is designed to meet long-range, high endurance requirements for search and rescue missions in the most demanding operational and environmental conditions.
It provides vital life-saving support to the energy and marine industries, as well as to land-based incidents including mountain rescue, missing persons and other medical emergencies.
John McIntyre, Chief Pilot at Inverness, said: “The AW189 has been a great success since it was introduced into in 2017, completing more than 1200 missions operating from four bases – almost half of which have originated at our fellow Scottish base at Prestwick.
“The AW189 has proven its itself from marine to mountainous environments in search and rescue operations in the past two years. Our year-round training, the quality of the aircraft and the technology on board are essential to maintaining our capability to bring people home safely from a mission.
"These aircraft, and the hard work of our dedicated crews alongside the other services we work with, give us the best chance of living up to the incredibly high standard the UK SAR service is renowned for.”