AW189
CAA Register
G-MCGM - BHL (First aircraft. Milan-built. Others all Yeovil, so far.)
G-MCGN - BHL
G-MCGO - AW
G-MCGP - BHL
G-MCGR - AW
G-MCGS - BHL
G-MCGT - AW
Four other aircraft expected to be built. The current production status not known.
Bristow Group has put aside $115million for AW189 SAR in 4 tranches of 2 from June 2016 (in progress?) to March 2018.
The planned order of deployment has changed a couple of times and currently is expected to be as follows.
- Lee-on-Solent (fixed at April 2017, taking over from CHC)
- Prestwick
- Lydd
- St Athans
- Inverness
Aircraft will be turning up at Lee and Prestwick during the early part of 2017 for local training and early engagement with stakeholders. (Most of the 7000 or so local volunteers and part-timers engaged in SAR currently have no idea that people make helicopters that you can't stand up in!
)
ARCC
Positive things are being said about ARCC Fareham by both aircrew and mountain rescuers.
GAP SAR
This contract ends next year and thus Portland will close and Lee will get the AW189. Sumburgh and Stornoway change to the MAIN contract. Some tears, some smiles.