FAA Certification Expected Later This Year

AgustaWestland told ANN Wednesday the AW119 Ke (Koala enhanced) helicopter was awarded EASA certification during a ceremony held Wednesday at the Paris Air Show. The certification process was performed by ENAC (Italian Airworthiness Authority) under EASA task allocation.

Orders for the AW119 Ke have set a brisk pace since the model was launched at Heli-Expo 2007 earlier this year, according to AgustaWestland. The AW119 Ke improves on the payload, range and performance capabilities of the current A119 Koala, especially in demanding hot and high conditions at high gross weights.

Existing operators of the A119 Koala will also be able to retrofit the upgrades developed for the AW119 Ke to take advantage of its improved capabilities. FAA certification for the AW119 Ke is expected to be awarded in Fall 2007.

"We are delighted the market has responded so positively to the introduction of the AW119 Ke with significant orders being placed since its unveiling just few months ago," said Bruno Spagnolini, Managing Director - Operations, AgustaWestland. "Every application where the A119 Koala has already proven a successful solution will benefit from the AW119 Ke's improved performance".

The AW119 Ke features an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight up to 6,283 lb, a single Pratt & Whitney 1,002 shp turbine engine and new main rotor blades.

Over 130 A119 Koala and AW119 Ke aircraft have been ordered by commercial customers around the world by mid-2007. Production of the AW119 Ke is carried out at AgustaWestland's Philadelphia facility.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com