Thu, Jan 17, 2013
Produced By A Joint Venture Between AgustaWestland And Russian Helicopters
The first AW139 helicopter assembled in Russia has successfully performed its maiden flight. HeliVert, a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland, said in a news release that on December 18, 2012, the first AW139 built in Russia, with the tail number 60001, was rolled out at the HeliVert assembly plant to perform ground testing. On the following day, December 19, at 1630 Moscow time the test program continued with the helicopter’s first lift-off and controlled hover. The new helicopter remained in the air for 37 minutes and completed the scheduled tests approved by Russia’s aviation authorities.
The AW139’s first take off and hover was successful, and the helicopter is undergoing the flight test program. The second aircraft (60002) to be assembled by HeliVert is expected to be in operation by February 2013.
HeliVert is located in Russian Helicopters’ National Helicopter Building Center in Tomilino, Moscow region. The plant was purpose-built for the company, and is now said to be one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Russia. Production of AW139 helicopters in Russia began on schedule in 2012. It is expected that up to 15-20 helicopters will be assembled each year. The number of people engaged in the production process could exceed 100 once maximum capacity is reached. The plant is intended to meet the growing demand for the AW139 in the Russian market for civil aircraft as well as the CIS market in general.
AgustaWestland and Russian Helicopters signed the preliminary agreement to launch the production of AW139 helicopters in Russia at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2008. This was followed by the signing of a joint venture agreement November 6, 2008, at a ceremony attended by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. A shareholder agreement was subsequently signed in June 2010 paving the way to start building the plant in Tomilino.
In the summer of 2011 the final agreements on CJSC HeliVert joint venture establishment were signed and early during 2012 specialists from HeliVert studied in Italy at AgustaWestland’s training center.
The AW139 is the only helicopter in its weight class that can be equipped with a Full Ice Protection System (FIPS), which makes it possible to fly into known icing conditions. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, equipped with full-authority digital engine controls (FADEC) and each rated at 1,679 SHP for take-off. The helicopter is configured for one or two pilots and can carry up to 15 passengers or 6-8 passengers in VIP/corporate transport configuration.
(Image provided by HeliVert)
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