LCI delivers two new Leonardo AW139 helicopters to Babcock

LCI has delivered two new Leonardo AW139 helicopters to Babcock Australasia (Babcock) for emergency medical services (EMS) operations across the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula of Queensland, Australia.

The helicopters, which arrived in Australia in late August to undergo modifications for their EMS role, have been placed in LCI’s joint venture with SMFL: SMFL LCI Helicopters. These aircraft will be based at Horn Island and will support Babcock’s operations for the Queensland Government, providing 24/7 EMS and search and rescue (SAR) services across the Torres Strait.

The new aircraft offer enhanced flexibility, high performance, and reliability. Capable of travelling further, faster, and with greater capabilities than the previous generation they are replacing, the helicopters will significantly improve patient care for the communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Cape York Peninsula.

The AW139s are equipped with a power loading stretcher system, a winch, and an Electro-Optic/Infra-Red Camera for improved SAR, EMS, and other lifesaving work within these remote island communities.

Accomplished Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti has designed two striking liveries for the helicopters, which will be instantly recognisable to the Torres Strait Islander communities of North Queensland. The Torres Strait Islander Peoples use the word ‘Kuyup’ to refer to the rescue helicopter, which translates to ‘dragonfly’. The overall design is known as ‘Kuyupaw Yabu’, meaning ‘the flight path of the dragonfly’, and incorporates elements such as migrating birds, sea spirits, reefs, and lagoons, with the Kuyup (dragonfly) at the heart of the design.

Duncan Milne, Managing Director Aviation & Critical Services for Babcock Australasia, says: “LCI has helped us to deliver EMS and mission critical solutions of exceptional quality across the globe for many years. These latest helicopters are a significant step forward for both LCI and Babcock in our support of highly effective emergency services in the harder-to-reach parts of Australia.”