Under the auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, KOC recently participated in the second edition of the Kuwait Aviation Show, which was held at Kuwait International Airport over the course of four days. The event featured extensive regional and international participation from companies in the aerospace industry.
Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, President of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, delivered opening remarks at the event, which was attended by the representative of His Highness the Amir, Deputy Minister of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. KOC DCEO Commercial & Corporate Services Abdul Wahab Al-Mithin, Manager Security Group Adel Al-Azmi, Acting Manager Public Relations & Information Group Bodoor Sayed Omar, and Acting Manager Industrial Services Group Hezam Al-Ajmi represented the Company at the opening ceremony.
KOC established a booth at the Kuwait Aviation Show in order to display its recently established helicopter services, which utilize two modern AgustaWestland AW169 helicopters. One of the helicopters is used for emergency medical evacuations and the other is used for critical transportation purposes, with the possibility of using a third helicopter when needed.
Minister of State for Service Affairs and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Mubarak Al-Harees and a number of official representatives from ministries, institutions, and government agencies attended the opening ceremony, in addition to members of the diplomatic corps and military attachés, international organizations, international companies from the aviation industry, and a large host of guests and invitees.
During the aviation show, Kuwait Airways, the Qatar Air Sports Commission Team, the Saudi Falcons Team, the U.S. Air Force, and the Italian Air Force conducted several air shows where aircraft and paratroopers participated.
KOC Helicopter Services
For the first time in its history, KOC is utilizing helicopter services throughout its areas of operation. Preparations for KOC's Helicopter Services required more than two years of intensive studies and arrangements.
The project, which has been implemented with the cooperation of Falcon Aviation, includes the provision of two helicopters. One helicopter will be used exclusively for emergency medical evacuations while the other will be utilized for critical, time-essential transportation purposes; however, both can be used for medical evacuations, as the second helicopter can be prepared for emergency medical evacuations in less than 15 minutes. A backup helicopter for use by the contractor will be available in situations when one or both helicopters are undergoing routine maintenance. The Ahmadi Heliport includes two airstrips, a hangar that can accommodate three planes, an office building, a plane washing service station, and other services. The helicopters utilized by the Company are AgustaWestland AW169 models.
About the AgustaWestland AW169
The AW169 is a new generation twin-engine multirole helicopter developed by AgustaWestland. The helicopter is intended to meet the demanding requirements of commercial and government operators across the world.
The AW169 incorporates an eco-friendly design with a crash-worthy airframe made of composites. The helicopter integrates next generation avionics, a twin-engine power plant, and a retractable three-wheel landing gear.
The mission equipment includes weather radar, a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system, rescue hoist, cargo hook, emergency flotation and life rafts, search light, and medical equipment.
The AW169 is powered by two PW210A turbo shaft engines. Each engine develops a power output of 1,000 SHP, resulting in a long-range cruise speed of more than 140 knots.
General Characteristics:
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Capacity: 8 to 10 passengers, plus 250 kg of cargo
- Length: 14.645 m (48 ft 1 in)
- Width: 2.53 m (8 ft 4 in) Horizontal stab 3.205 m
- Height: 4.5 m (15 ft)
- Gross weight: 4,850 kg (10,692 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW210A turboshaft (1,000 SHP class each)
- Main rotor diameter: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)
- Maximum speed: 306 km/h
- Range: 820 km
- Endurance: 4h 20m