New Twin Helo Set For Deliveries In 2014

The first prototype of the AW189 twin engine helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight Wednesday. The aircraft was launched at the Paris Air Show earlier this year and AgustaWestland says this first prototype has made its maiden flight ahead of schedule. AgustaWestland is aiming for civil certification for the AW189 in 2013 and to start deliveries in early 2014.

The helicopter was flown by AgustaWestland Chief Test Pilot Giuseppe Lo Coco at the company's Cascina Costa plant in Italy. He said it performed as expected during the flight which included an assessment of the helicopter's general handling and basic systems. The first prototype will be used for avionic system testing and certification of offshore equipment options, while the second prototype, set to fly in 2012, will be dedicated to a load survey programme.

"Performing the first flight of the new AW189 just a few months after its launch highlights our strong commitment to providing the market with the most advanced helicopters in the shortest possible timescales," said Bruno Spagnolini, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland. "(A) number of leading operators (have) already committed to buy the AW189 for long range offshore missions."

"We are confident as we progress towards certification and production that many more operators will select the AW189 as their new generation helicopter for Search and Rescue, offshore transport and parapublic missions due to its long-range capabilities, attractive operating costs and modern safety features," he said.

The AW189 is part of AgustaWestland's family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW169 and AW139 models. These helicopters all possess the same flight characteristics and safety features, and share a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concepts. AgustaWestland says this approach will deliver real cost savings in areas such as training, maintenance and support for existing operators of the AW139 who add AW169 and/or AW189 helicopters to their fleets.

Set to enter service in early 2014, the twin engine AW189 helicopter is optimised for long range offshore transport and SAR missions. (Image provided by AgustaWestland)

FMI: www.agustawestland.com