Bournemouth: New AS350 helicopter joins Airways Aviation UK fleet

Bournemouth-based Airways Aviation has taken delivery of the latest aircraft to join its Bournemouth Airport-based fleet. The near-new AS350 Squirrel helicopter, worth £1.5 million, made the flight from London to Bournemouth in just 35 minutes.

Managing director Ollie Pennington, who took delivery of the Squirrel, said: “It’s a fantastic addition to the fleet and only has 50 hours on the clock.  Its dual controls, spacious cabin, a full-glass cockpit, seating for five passengers plus the pilot, and its high-cruise speed will certainly make it popular for both charter and pleasure flying.”

The widely-used AS350 will also be available for advanced training and type ratings (including for pilots wishing to convert to a turbine powered helicopter), and it is already creating a strong level of commercial interest.

With a team of 10 instructors, operational and administration staff and now operating a fleet of four helicopters and four planes, the former Bournemouth Helicopters and the Solent School of Flying are fast becoming an integral part of the rapidly-expanding Airways Aviation Group, which also maintains multi-million pound flight training and commercial charter bases in the Australia and Montenegro.

The UK base currently trains approximately 20 student pilots a year and from this month is also offering an additional specialised Aviation Foundation theory course for those looking for a cost-competitive edge as a first step to their formal commercial pilot licence training.