Sloane signs with Leonardo for two more AW109s
Northampton-based Sloane Helicopters has signed a contract with Leonardo for two additional AW109s at EBACE and renewed its Distributorship Agreement in the UK and Ireland.
The agreement covers the AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker and AW169 types over the period 2019-2021. Under the Distributorship Agreement, Sloane foresees the purchase of at least eight new helicopters by 2021, with a contract for an AW109 GrandNew and an AW109 Trekker in VIP configuration signed at EBACE.
Sloane said: “We are delighted and honoured to continue our close partnership with Leonardo Helicopters. The AW109 series and AW169 helicopters have consolidated their positions as the benchmark for helicopters in the corporate/VIP market.
"As the sole Distributor in the region for 24 years, Sloane Helicopters has an unrivalled understanding of customer requirements and continues to leverage this expertise by offering industry leading solutions throughout the sales process and after sales support.”
The partnership with Sloane has led to the sale of nearly 80 aircraft to date. Following the outstanding success of earlier variants of the AW109 and the AW109 GrandNew, the new AW109 Trekker has more recently found success with three aircraft ordered in the region to date.
The AW109 GrandNew and the AW109 Trekker share the same powerful engines, dynamics, spacious cabin, performance and maximum cruise speed in the light twin class, while featuring different digital core avionics and with retractable landing gear / skids respectively. Each provides customers with one more option depending on their specific operational requirements. Combined orders for over 450 Grand/GrandNew and Trekker helicopters have been placed by customers worldwide to date.
Founded over 48 years ago, Sloane Helicopters remains within the same private ownership of its founder and Chairman, David George, providing helicopter support services from its bases at Northampton, Northolt and Enniskillen.