NEW, larger helicopters will soon be spotted in the skies above the region, with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service taking delivery of the first of its new fleet from Italy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new helicopter was officially handed over by Lease Corporation International (LCI) in a ceremony in Italy and is now on its way to Australia.
Four Agusta Westland AW139 aircraft will come into service in the first quarter of 2017, after undergoing final fitout and training regimes.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service general manager Richard Jones has been in Italy to inspect progress and said, after years of planning, he was pleased to see the first of the new helicopters.
“I was very conscious during the handover that it was made possible by the wonderful support the people of the regions provide to the service, to help ensure the safety of our communities,” he said.
“Once again I pass on our appreciation to our sponsors, our volunteers and all members of the community who help to make it possible.”
The new helicopters are larger than the existing Bell 412 and BK117 aircraft flown from bases in Newcastle, Tamworth and Lismore and were a requirement under the new contract issued by the NSW government.
The base at Tamworth is being upgraded and a new base is being built at Lismore.
Since December 1975, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has undertaken more than 30,000 missions, helping to save thousands of lives.
