This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6405303.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New rescue helicopters delivered New rescue helicopters delivered
(about 23 hours later)
The first of four new helicopters for search and rescue operations in Scotland have been delivered to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The first of four new helicopters for search and rescue operations in Scotland has been delivered to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Two Sikorsky S-92s will be based at Stornoway in the Western Isles and two at Sumburgh in Shetland.Two Sikorsky S-92s will be based at Stornoway in the Western Isles and two at Sumburgh in Shetland.
MCA will lease the helicopters from CHC Scotia, who won an interim contract to supply aircraft from 2007 to 2012.MCA will lease the helicopters from CHC Scotia, who won an interim contract to supply aircraft from 2007 to 2012.
The S-92 replace a fleet of S61Ns - which were designed in 1961 - in a deal worth more than £100m.The S-92 replace a fleet of S61Ns - which were designed in 1961 - in a deal worth more than £100m.
SIKORSKY S-92 With reserve fuel tanks the helicopter has a range of 400 nautical miles (460 miles)It can reach speeds of about 150 knots (172 mph)The search and rescue version is also fitted with infrared equipmentSIKORSKY S-92 With reserve fuel tanks the helicopter has a range of 400 nautical miles (460 miles)It can reach speeds of about 150 knots (172 mph)The search and rescue version is also fitted with infrared equipment
The handover was taking place at HeliExpo, the world's largest gathering of helicopter manufacturers, in Orlando, Florida. The handover took place at HeliExpo, the world's largest gathering of helicopter manufacturers, in Orlando, Florida.
New helicopters will also operate from Lee-on-Solent, Hants, and Portland, in Dorset.New helicopters will also operate from Lee-on-Solent, Hants, and Portland, in Dorset.
Richard Parkes, MCA director of technical services, said the new helicopters were faster and had a greater range.Richard Parkes, MCA director of technical services, said the new helicopters were faster and had a greater range.
He added: "The S-92s are in use on a variety of commercial duties around the world, proving their operational effectiveness and reliability, although this is a world first in being configured entirely for search and rescue."He added: "The S-92s are in use on a variety of commercial duties around the world, proving their operational effectiveness and reliability, although this is a world first in being configured entirely for search and rescue."