Ultimate Aviation Group, November 09, 2024 - Amsterdam - Offshore Helicopter Services UK Ltd (OHS UK – part of the Ultimate Aviation Group) is set to further strengthen its contribution to the growing demand for modern, effective rescue missions supporting the energy industry sector in the North Sea with the future introduction of two Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin helicopters.
These aircraft are expected to enter into operation during 2Q 2026. The new AW139s will reinforce the 24/7 emergency responsiveness capability of the operator to save lives in the offshore sector in the extreme conditions of the North Sea promptly taking off from OHS’ base in Aberdeen.
The significant experience gained by OHS over years has allowed a continued refinement of SAR (Search and Rescue and Medical Evacuation) procedures to meet the emerging and evolving requirement of the energy industry. This expertise led to the decision to rely upon the best-selling AW139 again, leveraging both established characteristics of the types and the latest enhancements for the task through which this helicopter model is continuing to prove the benchmark in its category in UK, across Europe and globally.
The majority of today’s SAR fleet in UK and Ireland is made of Leonardo helicopter models (in particular, AW139 and AW189).
OHS’ AW139s will primarily deliver medical evacuation from oil rigs, in addition to a variety of rescue duties at sea, also acting cooperatively with other operators when needed. These new AW139s will feature all-weather overwater SAR capabilities including, among others, a customized cabin layout, dual hoist, dedicated sensors enslaved to mission console, night vision goggles for all crews on board, and FIPS (Full Ice Protection System) to fly also in known ice conditions when other types would be confined to the ground or the hangar.
Andy Rodden, OHSUK managing director said: “The SAR service supports around 10,000 workers and crews have attended almost 1,000 call outs over the last ten years.
“Given the service is so vital, our teams need access to the best equipment available. We have collaborated with the offshore energy sector and Leonardo for the past 12 months to design the new helicopters and equip SAR crews with the latest technologies, including input from industry technical leads, flight crews, engineers and medical staff.
“This investment will help ensure our crews are best prepared to respond to incidents at any time.”
With over 1400 units on order, more than 1200 units already in service and over 4 million flight hours logged to date with more than 300 operators worldwide in over 90 countries, the AW139 has demonstrated its ability to meet all requirements in every market application such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat SAR (CSAR), Law Enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, Energy, Corporate – VIP.
The AW139 has become the benchmark for Emergency Services Operations. For overall rescue duties (spanning from emergency medical services, disaster relief, maritime and land/mountain SAR, etc), more than 1 million flight hours have been logged nowadays among the almost 500 AW139 helicopters in service, carrying out during day and night emergency response operations in all continents.
These aircraft are expected to enter into operation during 2Q 2026. The new AW139s will reinforce the 24/7 emergency responsiveness capability of the operator to save lives in the offshore sector in the extreme conditions of the North Sea promptly taking off from OHS’ base in Aberdeen.
The significant experience gained by OHS over years has allowed a continued refinement of SAR (Search and Rescue and Medical Evacuation) procedures to meet the emerging and evolving requirement of the energy industry. This expertise led to the decision to rely upon the best-selling AW139 again, leveraging both established characteristics of the types and the latest enhancements for the task through which this helicopter model is continuing to prove the benchmark in its category in UK, across Europe and globally.
The majority of today’s SAR fleet in UK and Ireland is made of Leonardo helicopter models (in particular, AW139 and AW189).
OHS’ AW139s will primarily deliver medical evacuation from oil rigs, in addition to a variety of rescue duties at sea, also acting cooperatively with other operators when needed. These new AW139s will feature all-weather overwater SAR capabilities including, among others, a customized cabin layout, dual hoist, dedicated sensors enslaved to mission console, night vision goggles for all crews on board, and FIPS (Full Ice Protection System) to fly also in known ice conditions when other types would be confined to the ground or the hangar.
Andy Rodden, OHSUK managing director said: “The SAR service supports around 10,000 workers and crews have attended almost 1,000 call outs over the last ten years.
“Given the service is so vital, our teams need access to the best equipment available. We have collaborated with the offshore energy sector and Leonardo for the past 12 months to design the new helicopters and equip SAR crews with the latest technologies, including input from industry technical leads, flight crews, engineers and medical staff.
“This investment will help ensure our crews are best prepared to respond to incidents at any time.”
Leonardo AW139 helicopter
With over 1400 units on order, more than 1200 units already in service and over 4 million flight hours logged to date with more than 300 operators worldwide in over 90 countries, the AW139 has demonstrated its ability to meet all requirements in every market application such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat SAR (CSAR), Law Enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, Energy, Corporate – VIP.
The AW139 has become the benchmark for Emergency Services Operations. For overall rescue duties (spanning from emergency medical services, disaster relief, maritime and land/mountain SAR, etc), more than 1 million flight hours have been logged nowadays among the almost 500 AW139 helicopters in service, carrying out during day and night emergency response operations in all continents.
Aberdeen / Dyce See also |
AW139 in
Offshore Helicopter Services 
Oil and Gas Industry in United Kingdom 
