Story ID: 
Leonardo Helicopters Expands Support in Chile
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Aerocardal Limitada appointed as company's authorized service center in Chile.
Word Count: 197
Leonardo Helicopters has appointed Aerocardal as its authorized service center in Chile, the company announced on Thursday at FIDAE 2018. Aerocardal will provide support and maintenance for AW109 light twins and AW119 singles from its base at the Comodora Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport.

The Chilean company already flies two AW109 Grands in EMS configuration and has been providing maintenance services for AW109 Power and Grandnew helicopters for the last eight years. It has been operating since 1991 with zero accidents and provides operational and maintenance services such as executive transport and medevac. Aerocardal also holds Chilean and FAA approval to provide aircraft and engine repair services.

More than 20 Leonardo helicopters are in service in Chile, including the AW119, AW109, AW139, and W-3A Sokol models, flying VIP transport, firefighting, law enforcement, EMS, and utility missions. Last week, Leonardo announced the sale of two more new helicopters into Chile—an AW119Kx configured for executive transport and an AW109 Trekker light twin.

Throughout Latin America, more than 400 Leonardo helicopters are operated by both military and civil customers in roles that include naval patrol, SAR, disaster relief, homeland security, and offshore energy.