Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Matt Thurber

New Zealand-based Northern Rescue Helicopter will take delivery in the coming months of two Leonardo AW169 light intermediate helicopters leased from Milestone Aviation Group. The emergency medical services (EMS) operator plans to base the helicopters in northern New Zealand.
The AW169’s reconfigurable cabins will be equipped with medical equipment and carry clinical teams for patient care flights, according to Milestone Aviation.
“Leasing the two aircraft from Milestone marks a significant step towards updating and standardizing the fleet of EMS/SAR aircraft across Auckland and Northland, ensuring that our communities continue to receive the highest level of care and service possible,” said Northern Rescue CEO Ian MacPherson. “We are grateful that Milestone has identified the opportunity to enhance the New Zealand EMS sector, and we look forward to working closely with them into the future.”
Northern Rescue is a new customer for Milestone Aviation, according to the leasing company’s chief commercial officer, Sébastien Moulin, who added that the AW169s are its first placement in New Zealand. “The AW169 is well suited to support Northern Rescue’s fleet-renewal program as it is configured to place patient needs at the heart of its design.”

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Milestone Aviation Leasing Two AW169s to Northern Rescue Helicopter

The two helicopters are the leasing company's first placement in New Zealand

The AW169s' reconfigurable cabins will be equipped with medical equipment and carry clinical teams for patient care flights. 

Milestone Leasing Two AW169s to Northern Rescue

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In this article

Leonardo AW169

Leonardo

The Milestone Aviation Group Limited

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