Test helicopter flights will be taking place over the Isles of Scilly and the West Cornwall coast this week as the new Island Helicopters service prepares to start scheduled operations next month.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new year-round helicopter service launches on May 21, and will be operated by Gloucester-based Specialist Aviation Services (SAS).

A brand new 10-seater AW169 aircraft will be flying from Land’s End Airport to the Isles of Scilly up to eight times a day, six days a week.

This week there will be test flights of the new aircraft by SAS teams from April 17th – 19th, as well as training for ground staff at airports, and trial landings on Scilly are planned for April 18th.