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TGRolando
16th Nov 2011, 14:28
I've heard a rumour that Bond Air Services are bidding for the Scotish Air Ambulance contract with AW139 operated two crew, starting sometime early next year.

Anyone care to expand?
helicrazi
16th Nov 2011, 16:00
Why two crew? :O
griffothefog
16th Nov 2011, 16:06
Are they using the FIPS ? That would help big style :ok:
OvertHawk
16th Nov 2011, 16:26
Can't see the money being around for going from single pilot 135's up to that unless.....

There might be a case for using two crew, FIPS equipped, 139's to cover all the SAS aviation requirements with two or three helicopters and dump the two King-Airs as well as the two EC135's.

Note the use of the word "might" though.

(*ducks)
OH
TGRolando
16th Nov 2011, 16:43
Hi OH

What do SAS currently use the King Air for? EMS i'm guessing?
1helicopterppl
16th Nov 2011, 17:32
TG. I thought Bond already hold the Scottish contract for 135's ? think Gama op the King Air's but I'm not really into planks !

Also I would have thought Bond would go to a 'future' type heli like the A169 ?
OvertHawk
16th Nov 2011, 17:51
The King-Airs do retrieval and transfer flights for patients - mostly from the Scottish Islands back to places like Glasgow and Aberdeen.

OH
shetlander
25th Nov 2011, 19:42
I really cant see it to be honest.

From what Ive heard competition is between the EC-145 and MD902.
squib66
26th Nov 2011, 07:36
If the idea is to have one helicopter type to replace the rotary wing assets and cover the King Air missions with fewer total aircraft then perhaps the AW139 makes sense.

Can the King Airs land on the beach at Barra?
ironchefflay
26th Nov 2011, 22:23
They dont necessarily have too. the CG can pick them up and transport them to Stornoway for transfer.
shetlander
26th Nov 2011, 22:44
If the idea is to have one helicopter type to replace the rotary wing assets and cover the King Air missions with fewer total aircraft then perhaps the AW139 makes sense.

Can the King Airs land on the beach at Barra?

I can see where you are coming from, but surely the AW139 is on the larger end of scale for this task.

I cant see them ditching the King-Airs in a hurry. I would still put money on then looking to upgrade the EC135 fleet.
pumaboy
30th Nov 2011, 16:21
I can not see the Scottish Amblance service replacing the King Air's with AW 139.

The King Airs have a pressurised cabin and can fly higher altidues and get from A-B quicker than an AW139.

I could maybe see the AW169 replace the EC135 but not with a AW139 as the operating cost would be very expensive and the AW139 being a larger a/c landing in remote sites would be extremly difficult