10-Jul-2017 Source: Specialist Aviation Services
Specialist Aviation Services is pleased to announce the addition of AW169 Type Rating courses to its portfolio of Leonardo Service Centre capabilities.
SAS has gained this approval as more AW169’s enter service both in the utility and VIP sectors. SAS is now supporting four AW169 air ambulances across the south of the UK as well as a number of privately owned aircraft operating locally and further across Europe.
The company, which employs two AW169 TRE/TRI’s, already has 24 AW169-trained pilots on its books.
Captain Jim Lynch, the SAS Head of Training said “As well as enabling us to train our own pilots in-house, the new approval means that we can offer type ratings to third parties wishing to operate the type for corporate and private use”.
This extra approval comes on top of the significant investment which SAS has made in its support capability since it became the UK’s AW169 launch customer in 2012.
As well as having the AW169 on its Part 145 maintenance approvals, the company also holds a CAMO approval and an extensive spares inventory at its Gloucestershire base. This is part of a unique support package set up with Leonardo Helicopters designed to maximise the serviceability of its air ambulances and other VIP customers’ helicopters.
SAS also continues to strengthen its team of base and field engineers and now employs a total of 18 AW169 rated engineers providing 24/7 base and field maintenance support in the UK and overseas. Its corporate maintenance facility opens at Redhill later this summer.