The Sloane Helicopters fleet is expanding fast. Rising orders for AgustaWestland helicopters in Ireland is feeding back to the U.K.-based distributor as demand for charter management services.

Sales director Giorgio Bendoni says that all 13 of the helicopters being delivered by Sloane in 2007 have been snapped up by Irish corporate and private owners. "About half of these have come to us for charter management," he adds.

The Sloane managed charter fleet has doubled in average size in the past four years. The 13

aircraft sold in 2007 consist of five Grand, five 109E Power, two 119 Koala and one 139.

Sloane has concluded a four-year agreement with AgustaWestland taking a minimum of ten aircraft in 2006, 11 in 2007, 11 in 2008 and 12 in 2009. The seven aircraft pre-sold in 2008 comprise four Grand, two 109E Power and one 119 Koala. Some of the helicopters available for 2009 have already been ordered.

Demand for pre-owned helicopters is also increasing. Sloane is also a distributor for Robinson helicopters and these are selling well.

"We deliver something like 45 aircraft a year," Bendoni reports. "We are the only distributor with a physical presence in Ireland."