Loudoun Aviation, based just outside Washington in the US, has sold and delivered an Agusta 109 Power helicopter to a customer in Germany. The 109 Power is the latest in a line of twin-engine retractable gear civil helicopters manufactured by AgustaWestland in Italy, and operated in a variety of roles from corporate vip to law enforcement.

The company’s president Peter Leonard-Morgan, who used to work for Lynton Aviation in the UK before heading west, said: “These particular helicopters had been based in Shanghai, China and used to transfer port ship pilots from the shore via an onboard hoist to the decks of very large ships inbound to the port of Shanghai.

“In busy ports like Shanghai, taking advantage of port pilot helicopters dramatically increases port efficiency and, more importantly, safety when compared with boarding from the pilot boat by way of a ladder dangling from the side of the ship.” The sale represents the first delivery of a pre-owned Chinese-registered civilian Agusta.