Germany's HeliService has signed a contract for an AW169 light intermediate helicopter. The aircraft will be delivered by autumn 2016 through specialist aviation lessor LCI Helicopters to undertake offshore operations in the North Sea.

This order signals the entry of the AW169 into the German market. HeliService's model will be custo-mised with an offshore interior and rescue hoist to support maintenance personnel attending to wind turbines. The operator is confident that performance, technology and safety standards will all be greatly enhanced with its latest rotorcraft.

“After an extensive investigation into all relevant helicopter types available, we are delighted to have chosen the perfect match for our offshore customer's demand for high quality and safe operations, while being economically efficient,” say MDs Eberhard Herr and Nils Herrmann. “The consistent develop-ment of the 'bigger brother' of the AW139 already in our fleet convinced us to offer extra services while using the existing experience of our flight crews and engineering department.

“When it comes to hoist operations onto wind turbines, the AW169 outperforms in every aspect, particularly range and payload.”

Crispin Maunder, executive chairman of LCI, adds: “We're delighted to be strengthening our existing partnership with HeliService by introducing the innovative AW169 to its fleet alongside the AW139s we already lease.”

Established in 1987, HeliService provides rescue services, passenger and cargo transport, third party maintenance and training for offshore service personnel. Flight operations are currently performed from Emden, Bremerhaven and Husum in Germany, along with Esbjerg in Denmark.