Mon, Jun 23, 2003
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.
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