Wed, Feb 24, 2010
EASA Certification Achieved, FAA Certification Pending
In what CEO Giuseppe Orsi said was
the "only real news" at the 2010 Heli-Expo in Houston this week,
AgustaWestland unveiled the Grand New, an upgraded model of the
company's Grand helicopter.
AgustaWestland says the Grand New is the first light twin
helicopter on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced
global navigation satellite system-based requirements for all
weather operations. It has already received the EASA certification
while FAA certification is expected to be achieved in mid 2010.
Equipped with EVS (enhanced vision systems) and a Terrain Awareness
Warning System (TAWS) for night operations, the Grand New also
meets the latest NTSB/FAA recommendations for EMS operations to
consider the use of an FAA-approved night vision goggle or enhanced
vision system into flight programs, when conditions and missions
dictate.
The Grand New will be the first type certified Light Twin
(CS/JAR/FAR 27) with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision. This
approach enables the type to operate on helicopter-dedicated routes
and it is SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) capable. The
Grand New features a state-of-the-art avionics package and a new
glass cockpit. The new full digital avionic system for single pilot
IFR, dual control configuration operation incorporates the
Chelton's Flight-Logic Synthetic Vision EFIS (Electronic Flight
Instrument System) with FMS (Flight Management System), HTAWS
(Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System), HITS (Highway In The
Sky) and flight recording embedded functions to deliver situational
awareness and automated flight management capabilities, reducing
pilot workload and to the benefit of operational effectiveness. The
Grand New is fitted with a four-axis dual duplex digital autopilot
coupled with a Flight Director and with a new Radio Management
System (RMS) permitting the centralized management of radio
communication and navigation systems of the helicopter while the
Integrated Display System (IDS) provides aircraft/engine data
monitoring, crew alert and maintenance data pages.
AgustaWestland expects the Grand New to perform missions such as
corporate/VIP transport, offshore transport, passenger transport,
EMS, SAR, harbour pilot shuttle (HPS), coastal patrol and
government purposes.
The company says orders for around 290 Grand and Grand New
helicopters have been placed by almost 150 customers in over 30
countries worldwide.
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