Karen, Swiss based helicopter service provider, has announced that it has taken delivery of two brand new Bell 505 helicopters, HB-ZXE and HB-ZXL, to modernise the current single-engine fleet consisting of three Bell/Agusta-Bell 206.
As part of a strategic investment plan to update the current fleet, Karen will use these aircraft for commercial flights and pilot training. The two helicopters have a slightly different layout, HB-ZXE has the VIP interior and will be equipped with autopilot as soon the EASA certification will be granted, while HB- ZXL has utility interior and cargo hook. Considering the mountainous environment of the Swiss Alps, the Bell 505 will provide a considerable performance improvement compared to the Bell 206, making the new helicopters the perfect tool for mountain operations.
“The Bell 505 will modernise and enlarge our current fleet of three Bell 206”, says Luca Carlino, Director of the company and Head of Training. “The Bell 505 provides excellent comfort and performance for passengers and pilots, along with modern avionics consisting of Garmin G1000H NXi. The two helicopter will be used as well as IFR trainer, with the purpose to increase pilot flying experience on helicopter while reducing costs compared to a multi-engine helicopter” concludes the Director.
This purchase is as well part of a strategic investment related to the Karen’s Aviation Training Center, which incorporates aircrew and technical personnel training under Part-147. Karen’s development plan includes the acquisition of other trainer helicopters and strategic development that will be unveiled soon.
About Karen Helicopter Services
Strategically located in Ticino, Switzerland, Karen SA holds the EASA AOC, ATO, MTO (Part-147), CAMO and MRO (Part-145) certifications. The technical and operational background of the founders and their staff is granting successful customers’ support in Europe, Central Asia and Africa since more than 20 years.
Karen is an Authorised Service Centre of Leonardo Helicopters, Premium Service Provider of Pratt & Whitney Canada and has its facilities in a purpose-built hangar, with a capacity exceeding 10 helicopters, located at the formerly military Aerodrome of Lodrino.
As the world's first AW139 service provider, Karen has a proven track record as a full service helicopter MRO facility, operations and training, with a wide range of customers and remote bases with capabilities on several models of Leonardo Helicopter Division and Bell, including the AW119 series, A109/AW109 series, AW169, AW139, AW189 as well as the Bell 206, Bell 505, Bell 212/412.
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