UK engineering and training company Total Air Management Services (TAMS) has acquired four Schweizer 333 light turbine helicopters that will be used from early next year to patrol the country's gas pipelines in support of a recently awarded eight-year contract from UK gas company Transco.
The Sheffield-based company leases aircraft and provides helicopter pilots, along with engineering, technical and training services, to a range of utility companies and public bodies, including South Yorkshire Police. The multi-million-dollar deal is designed to protect the UK's 275,000km (170,000 miles) of gas pipeline from damage, says TAMS. The first helicopter will be delivered by Elmira, New York-based Schweizer in January. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to enter service before June.|
Source: Flight International
