Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

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Hanneke Weitering

Toll Helicopters, a Brisbane-based provider of specialized mission-critical helicopter services, has expanded its fleet of AW139 intermediate twin helicopters in Australia with the purchase of two additional units from Leonardo (Booth B1005).&nbsp;
Toll expects delivery of the AW139s in the second half of 2023 and to supplement its existing fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters, bringing the total number&nbsp;to 12. It already uses three&nbsp;to support activities such as pilot training, emergency response and disaster relief missions, and other Australian Defense Force (ADF)&nbsp;exercises.&nbsp;
Once delivered, the two new AW139s will fulfill Toll’s contract requirements for two major ADF programs: the Crash Response Helicopter Service program for the Australian Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment in Darwin&nbsp;and the Army Commercial Helicopter program for the 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville.&nbsp;
The 15-seat helicopters come equipped with a searchlight, cargo hook, hoist, and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, making them capable of supporting a variety of ADF training and disaster relief missions. They&nbsp;also feature&nbsp;an advanced navigation and collision avoidance system to help pilots operate in challenging environments. Leonardo has sold several of the helicopters to government entities in Australia for law enforcement and surveillance applications.
Worldwide, at least 1,130 <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2021-02-03/leonardos-aw139-helicopter-turns-20">AW139 helicopters</a>&nbsp;operate in service with more than 280 customers in 90 nations, according to Leonardo. Since its certification in 2004, the AW139 has logged more than 3.6 million flight hours.

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Toll Helicopters Orders More AW139s for Australian Defense Force | Ainonline.com

Australian helicopter operator Toll Helicopters has ordered two new AW139 intermediate twin helicopters from Leonardo. 

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