The helicopter will be used to perform VIP transport missions in the United Kingdom. The order marks the entrance of the all new AW169 into UK VIP market and expands the functions of AW169 in the UK and worldwide.  

Starspeed Ltd is a UK based helicopter management company, established in 1978 and specialising in the VVIP transport market. Starspeed offers executive helicopter charter services for London, the UK and Europe, as well as aircraft management and advanced pilot training services. 

Emilio Dalmasso, senior vice president commercial business unit, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted to have Starspeed as the first UK customer for the AW169 VIP, the only new generation helicopter in its category in decades. We are confident that this sale represents the first of many for the UK’s VIP/corporate transport market and that the AW169 is set to become the benchmark helicopter in its category in this market.” 

He went on to say “The unrivalled combination of high performance, cabin space and comfort, latest safety standard, maintainability and state-of-the-art flight and mission technology featured in the AW169, will be strongly beneficial to Starspeed’s customers in offering the ultimate flight experience.”  
 
Gary Butcher, managing director for Starspeed Ltd, commented “The history of corporate helicopters has so far been a story of finding acceptable compromise, with no single helicopter really standing out as the ideal combination of price, performance and maintainability for the market. In the AW169, Starspeed recognises the start of a new chapter in the story of corporate helicopter services, one where there is no compromise and every performance indicator and success factor is built in, through design and an emphasis on customer requirements. The AW169 is just the product we have been waiting for.”

More than 70 AW169 helicopters have now been ordered for a wide range of missions including corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, utility and offshore transport. With three prototypes already flying, the fourth prototype expected to take to the air for the first time in early 2013, the AW169 is on schedule to achieve certification in 2014.

The AgustaWestland plant in Yeovil is set for the design and manufacturing of the AW169 and the company sees business opportunities for civil rotorcraft in the UK helicopter market. 

The new generation twin engine light intermediate category helicopter, the 4.5 tonne AW169 delivers high performance, meets the latest safety standards and has multi-role capabilities. The AW169 incorporates several new technology features in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems.

The AW169 is part of the AgustaWestland family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW139 and AW189 models, posses the same flight characteristics and safety features. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories.