Wed, Jun 20, 2007
FAA Certification Expected Later This Year
AgustaWestland told ANN Wednesday the AW119 Ke (Koala enhanced)
helicopter was awarded EASA certification during a ceremony held
Wednesday at the Paris Air Show. The certification process was
performed by ENAC (Italian Airworthiness Authority) under EASA task
allocation.
Orders for the AW119 Ke have set a brisk pace since the model was launched at Heli-Expo
2007 earlier this year, according to AgustaWestland.
The AW119 Ke improves on the payload, range and performance
capabilities of the current A119 Koala, especially in demanding hot
and high conditions at high gross weights.
Existing operators of the A119 Koala will also be able to
retrofit the upgrades developed for the AW119 Ke to take advantage
of its improved capabilities. FAA certification for the AW119 Ke is
expected to be awarded in Fall 2007.
"We are delighted the market has responded so positively to the
introduction of the AW119 Ke with significant orders being placed
since its unveiling just few months ago," said Bruno Spagnolini,
Managing Director - Operations, AgustaWestland. "Every application
where the A119 Koala has already proven a successful solution will
benefit from the AW119 Ke's improved performance".
The AW119 Ke features an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight up to
6,283 lb, a single Pratt & Whitney 1,002 shp turbine engine and
new main rotor blades.
Over 130 A119 Koala and AW119 Ke aircraft have been ordered by
commercial customers around the world by mid-2007. Production of
the AW119 Ke is carried out at AgustaWestland's Philadelphia
facility.
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