Fri, Aug 07, 2009
AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopter Serves As Test Platform
AgustaWestland says that the ENAC (Ente Nazionale Aviazione
Civile - Italian Civil Aviation Authority) last week successfully
completed the first stage of qualification and authorization tests
for the creation of a helicopter low altitude IFR route between
Turin and Venice in Italy, crossing the Pianura Padana (Po
Valley).
The trials were performed using an AW139 medium twin engine
helicopter specifically equipped to monitor and process the data
generated by ground and satellite based navigation systems. In
particular, the reliability of navigation data and the navigation
capabilities of the AW139, a latest generation helicopter, were
evaluated during the tests, whilst taking into account the expected
evolution of satellite navigation systems.
Utilizing air traffic services provided by ENAV (Ente Nazionale
Assistenza al Volo - Italian Company for Air Navigation Services),
units constantly tracked the aircraft while evaluating the radar
coverage along the route and the navigational accuracy of the AW139
flying the 210 nm (around 385 km) route.
Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said "We
are happy to have provided our contribution for the creation of
helicopter low altitude IFR routes in Italy where the latest
rotorcraft technology can play a major role supporting the
development of a modern integrated transportation network in the
country. These successful tests represent a significant step
forward as part of our efforts, under the VertiPass programme in
Italy, to pave the way for further exploitation of rotary-winged
aircraft flexibility, safety and cost/effectiveness to the benefit
of a larger and larger number of end-users. Under this programme
AgustaWestland is committed to helping expand the use of rotorcraft
platforms for passenger transport purposes in Italy".
The activity, planned by ENAC and managed by ENAV with
AgustaWestland involvement, is part of a number of initiatives to
develop a dedicated network of low level IFR routes optimized for
helicopter operations. These routes will be integrated into the
airspace system and will utilize flight levels where icing
conditions are not normally experienced and below where a
pressurized cabin or oxygen would be required. In the presence of
adverse weather conditions procedures will be developed for
helicopters to abandon the use of dedicated IFR airspace, and
utilize the airspace used also by fixed-winged aircraft.
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