FAA Certification Expected Shortly

The AB139 has earned its Italian IFR Type Certification. Mr. Di Palma, Managing Director of the Italian Certification Air Worthiness Authority (ENAC), has signed and handed over the AB139 Type Certificate to Mr. Amedeo Caporaletti, CEO AgustaWestland and Chairman of Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company at a ceremony at the Paris Air Show, Le Bourget. The certification was the culmination of a 1600 hour ground and flight test program.

Those in attendance at the ceremony included Mr. Mike Redenbaugh, CEO of Bell Helicopter Textron, Mr John Murphey, Chairman Emeritus, Bell Helicopter and other Bell/Agusta Aerospace board members. Also in Attendance were senior representatives from major risk sharing partners including Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Kawasaki and PZL and a number of AB139 customers.

Mr. Caporaletti stated that the event, "...marks a tremendous achievement that testifies the companies commitment to the market to introduce the new benchmark medium twin helicopter", Mr Redenbourgh added, "we are proud to be a partner with this exciting new product which brings new standards and capability to the market, and we look forward to the FAA certification which is expected in the coming months".

The two Pratt & Whitney, Canada PT6C-67C engines ensure the AB139 can maintain high cruise speeds in excess of 150 knots at all weights, high temperatures and altitudes, with ample power margins. In addition Category "A" Class 1 performance, without payload loss, is assured. AB139 customers will enjoy high productivity with an aircraft designed to meet today's
JAR29/FAR29 standards.

The first production aircraft will be delivered to an Italian customer later this year. Twenty five customers have demonstrated their confidence in the AB139 thus providing a two year order backlog for Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company. The major market segments of Offshore, Corporate, VIP, Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement are all represented. In addition Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) has selected AB139 as its recommended helicopter for the US Coast Guard Deepwater Program.

FMI: www.bellagustaaerospace.com, www.agustawestland.com, www.textron.com