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.

Editor-in-Chief

Airbus Helicopters AS332L, EC225, H215, and H225 series

Matt Thurber

Spain’s Maritime Safety and Rescue Society (Salvamento Marítimo or Sasemar) has awarded a further five-year contract to Avincis, which has been providing search-and-rescue services in the region for 30 years. The contract is valued at $305 million.
Now with 11 helicopter bases, Avincis operates 24/7, with missions assigned by Sasemar covering 7,905 km of coastline.
Since winning its first contract in 1993, Avincis has flown more than 100,000 hours and completed approximately 16,000 missions, rescuing or evacuating more than 8,500 people. Avincis’ fleet now numbers more than 220 aircraft, and its 2,400 employees operate from bases in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, and operations in Mozambique and Chile. For the Sasemar contract, Avincis operates 15 helicopters, split between Leonardo AW139s and Airbus Helicopters H225s.
“Sasemar is one of our longest-standing and most respected clients,” said John Boag, group CEO of Avincis, “and we are very pleased to have been awarded the latest tender for the helicopters providing part of their aerial service. We have delivered maritime search and rescue services in Spain for the past three decades. Our highly experienced and well-trained crews will continue to be there whenever needed over the next five years.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Sasemar Awards Another 5-year SAR Contract to Avincis for Helo Rescue Services

The Avincis fleet used for the SAR contract includes Leonardo AW139s and Airbus H225s

Since winning its first Sasemar contract, Avincis has flown more than 100,000 hours & completed approximately 16,000 missions, rescuing or evacuating thousands. 

Sasemar Awards Another 5-year SAR Contract to Avincis

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The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

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AmyWilder

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In this article

Leonardo AW139

AS332/EC225/H215/H225

Leonardo

AgustaWestland

Airbus Helicopters

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