Starspeed of Fairoaks, UK, has signed a purchase contract with AgustaWestland for a factory-new AW169. It is the third contract signed by the operator since October 2013, a commitment that reflects a positive economic outlook in the vvip sector.

Starspeed has been operating corporate helicopters since 1978, and claims to be the largest privately owned helicopter charter and management company in Europe. It believes that the AW169 opens up fresh opportunities for helicopter ownership and operation.

“One of the most significant barriers for people who are considering buying a helicopter for the first time is the disproportionate relationship between the costs and time spent on maintenance and the overall costs of ownership,” comments director Simon Mitchell.

“These fourth generation helicopters have the very latest technology from the drawing-board upwards; I feel they will change this disproportionate relationship. The latest composite structures and production techniques have brought down the initial purchase costs in real terms, the upgraded safety and reliability of major components have extended the time between overhaul and replacement by a factor of two or more, and the Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) design philosophy has reduced the overall maintenance burden.”

Mitchell views the AW169 as the most important new aircraft to come to market in the last 20-30 years, and believes it will drive significant change in the sector.