Aerospace giant Leonardo has delivered a tenth search-and-rescue helicopter to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
The remaining six AW101 All-Weather Search and Rescue (AWSAR), aircraft out of a total order of 16, are currently being assembled, integrated and tested at Leonardo’s site in Yeovil, Somerset.
The 330 squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force has now used the choppers to complete more than 200 flight hours, largely on SAR operations, which have included several life-saving missions in the inhospitable Norwegian environment. These have included a night mountain rescue, an offshore rescue, as well as a challenging emergency transportation.
READ MORE: {}
In early March, a flight crew comprised of Lee Evans and Miles Barnett, senior test pilots at Leonardo Helicopters, adhered to stringent Covid-19 safety regulations to fly the AW101 helicopter from Yeovil to its new home in Norway.
The crew used their innovative helmet and oxygen mask, developed on-site at Leonardo in Yeovil. This technology allows the crew to operate the aircraft whilst in close proximity to each other in the cockpit.
This unique technology uses an existing oxygen mask, which is compatible with existing helmets/visors, and has a built-in microphone for comms, and hose, which is connected via a standard filter from a facemask.
The crew employed additional procedures specifically for this trip, including immediate return via a chartered aircraft and therefore ensured negligible contact with the Norwegian customer.
The aircraft set off from Yeovil early in the morning, in low cloud with poor visibility, and Mr Evans and Mr Barnett climbed into the clouds for the duration of the flight to Solna in Norway.
Most Read
It was during these challenging conditions that the AW101’s cutting-edge technologies came into their own. During the five flying hours, the crew used the aircraft’s full icing clearance and state-of-the-art navigation and flight control systems.
Mr Barnett said: “With this reasonably simple task of delivering the AW101 to our customer in Norway, we utilised a broad selection of its capabilities to make the transit safer, easier, and more efficient. Systems that ranged from the all-weather ice protection and comprehensive automatic flight controls to the integrated multi-sensor and cockpit display system; this demonstrated why the AW101 is the perfect solution for the long-range SAR role.”
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
Mr Evans added: “The AW101 is simply the most capable long range search and rescue helicopter on the planet. In the most extreme conditions it can utilise the range and on-board suite of integrated ‘latest generation’ sensors to reach, find, rescue, care for and recover survivors back to safety.’
He said that as a pilot the helicopter’s systems and technologies help to reduce his workload and increase situational awareness during arduous missions through the extensive application of automation and safety systems, such as automatic hover modes, radar, terrain awareness systems, and rotor blade proximity sensors.
Mr Evans said: “The fact that the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security chose the AW101 AWSAR helicopter, for the Air Force’s next generation long range SAR helicopter - which will operate in the mountains, fjords and seas of the Arctic - speaks for itself. I am incredibly proud that the AW101 AWSAR is designed, built, and tested in Yeovil.”
Mr Barnett said: “As with all Leonardo products and operations; the effect that the platform and crew delivered was only possible as a result of the dedication, experience, and knowledge from the broadest range of experts.
“Within the current circumstances the flexibility and adaptation that have been evident throughout the design, production, and testing phases have revealed the incredible motivation of a team that has focused on delivery to the customer.”