Selects A109 Power Helicopter

AgustaWestland and Linfox told ANN this week the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) chose the A109 Power light twin helicopter to train its aircrews.

Under terms of the recently signed deal, three helicopters will be dedicated to operational conversion training for air crew transitioning from the AS350 Squirrel to the heavier Sea King, Seahawk and Seasprite aircraft. The aircraft will also be used for training pilots to perform shipborne operations.

The helicopters will be leased by Raytheon Australia to the Royal Australian Navy, who will use the aircraft at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, New South Wales, under a four-year contract.

Representatives with AgustaWestland state the A109 Power and LUH variants have all the attributes of larger military helicopters that make it an ideal trainer for aircrew that will transition to helicopters such as the NH90, EH101, AW139, Cougar and S-70.

The A109 has twin Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), retractable wheeled landing gear, modern IFR capable cockpit and high performance flight characteristics. The spacious cabin with large sliding doors also enables it to be used for SAR and gunnery training.

The A109 Power's cockpit is single or dual pilot IFR capable, and is equipped with liquid crystal multifunction displays and a 3-axis duplex autopilot. Fail safe design features and built in redundancy, together with crashworthy seating and fuel system, further enhance the A109 Power's high levels of safety.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com, www.navy.gov.au