A county-based aviation company is celebrating a major order for emergency service helicopters.

Specialist Aviation Services, which has its headquarters at Staverton's Gloucestershire airport, has delivered its first three AW169 air ambulances.

The much anticipated deal comes after a lengthy certification process for the company's new and highly innovative medical interior.

The delivery took place in a combined ceremony (pictured) at the company's Gloucestershire Airport base when the aircraft were handed over to Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

The aircraft are equipped with individually customised and fully adaptable medical interior layouts all under the same STC with each customer benefitting from a spacious, bright cabin, easy loading and all round patient access.

The aircraft also features APU mode, a system enabling on-scene ground power without rotors turning as well as the superior performance and modern safety features which the AW169 offers.

"This is the only helicopter in its class for this kind of work and with our medical interior we believe the AW169 will significantly advance the HEMS operations in the UK and overseas", said SAS managing director Henk Schaeken.

The three aircraft started operations this week whilst SAS carries on preparing the next of three more AW169's set for delivery to Air Ambulance customers this year, with further deliveries already signed for next year too.

Pictures: Ed Hicks, Seager Publishing