AW189

By Shereen Shabnam

Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) is a reputable leader in the aviation market through the provision of innovative products and services and has become a name synonymous with safety, quality and reliable customer service. Its main operating base at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi is ideally located to serve discerning customers.

The FAS helicopter and corporate jet fleet offer a wide range of capability, performance and comfort to satisfy its growing list of clients. However, Our favourite models they have include, amongst others, the AW169 and AW189.

Recently FAS formally confirmed an order for three additional new Leonardo AW169 helicopters, in readiness to start a significant new offshore contract from early 2018, the new aircraft will bolster Falcon Aviation’s fleet of the type to five.

As a pioneer of the AW169 in the Middle East since 2016, Falcon Aviation successfully logged near 500 incident free hours with the popular multi-role Class I Performance medium category helicopter, flying private charters and in fulfilling offshore contracts.

The AW189 was designed to meet the market demand for a versatile, affordable, multirole medium twin engine helicopter. The new 8.3 tonne AW189 is optimized for Oil&Gas offshore transport and SAR missions and has already received orders for 130 helicopters, making it the outright market leader in its class.

The spacious cabin is configured with up to 19-seat layout. The cockpit design, incorporating the latest in advanced situational awareness technologies, reduces crew workload and enhances safety. The AW189 meets the very latest international regulatory safety requirements.

The AW189 is unique in having a 50 minute ‘run-dry’ capable main gear box, exceeding current certification standards and offering unmatched safety and reliability for offshore operations.

The AW189 is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW169 and AW139 models, which possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept.

Falcon Aviation has a Heliport, adjacent to Dubai South VIP Terminal at DWC. Run and managed by Falcon Aviation personnel, the Heliport is open to all operators, corporates and private individuals arriving with their business jets at VIP Terminal. It is the first in the region to facilitate quick and convenient helicopter charters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 30 minutes.
Some 450 employees from 54 nationalities are helping Falcon Aviation realise its exciting expansion plans, which centre on a brand new 20,000sqm MRO hangar project taking shape in DWC, to be ready for the last quarter of 2018.

FAS’ services include corporate jet charter, helicopter tourism, aerial photography & filming, aerial banner advertising, offshore / on-shore oil & gas support, aircraft maintenance and aircraft management. The company is constantly modernizing its fleet to remain abreast of all the technology in the aviation industry.