Agusta AW139
 

I am currently looking after a small fleet of private helicopters and one of my customers is looking at the AB139. Any comments or views would be appreciated

AB139
 

As we have frequently seen in the past new-model aircraft take quite some time after initial lauch to reach their full potential. When parting with the sums of money involved in the procurement of such a machine then the prospective owner should be aware that the machine is quite likely to be plagued with problems: some minor, some not, for a number of years. I have been told that this was the case with the A119 Koala - and this was based on the proven A109.

If your client doesn't demand very high availability and has lots of money, then go for it. People need to buy the machine for it to have the opportunity to improve.

However, if the machine is to be a hardworking machine in daily use then I would be of the opinion that the same money should be spent on a proven machine of known reliability.

Good Luck
Jase

:confused:

Cran,

What alternative are you talking about?:confused:

Eurocopter Dauphin/EC155B, S-76C or Bell 412 - all similar in size and IFR Capable.

CRAN

I disagree with you.

Sure the 139 is currently an unknown quantity but the other types you mention also have problems.

The EC155 is underperforming (revised version with more power coming out very soon) The S76C+ needs its Arriel 2S1 engines changing at regular intervals and the Bell 412 is such a backward leap in technology (even in EP form) that it is costly to maintain unless you are flying very few hours.

LE

The S-76 C+ is more money but the reliability of the Arrius engines isn't too much of a problem in my experience. The fuel burn tends to be higher than advertised though...

I agree about the comments about the 155 and the 412.

I think it's important (for someone else) to buy 139s asap so that all the problems of this new type get ironed out for us! ;)

SHY TORQUE

For info

The ARRIEL 2S1 engines in the C+ are having much lower MTBR rates than they should be having. There are several operators in the USA including one oil company who have had these problems and are having very active dialogue with the manufacturer (Turbomeca) about the subject.

LE

Having looked at the 139 for my company it beats the 76, 412 and 155 hands down on range and payload. It is $1,000,000 cheaper than the C+. As I understand it several are destined for the North Sea from the early batches to be released at the start of next year if certification goes according to plan. Hopefully they will put a few hours on them and start getting the snags out before the machine arrives for the onshore market.

LE,

All I can say is that ours are OK!

Shy Torque

Well, ours are not that ok! and others are only ok "ish" at the moment.

LE:p

Is it possible that the environment they operate in may have a big effect on engine performance . I would think 2 worst would be wet and salty ( prob not to bad as long as you do regular compressor washes ) and dry and sandy . Are sand filters std equipment for most Oz operators ?.

wHAT'S AN ab139:confused:

Bell Agusta

Thomas

Go to the above link and click Aircraft and all your questions should be answered.

:)

magbreak,

Do you know who on the North Sea the AB139's are destined for???






"Some days you are the pigeon, some days you are the statue!"

Ab 139
 

Other than the recent tragic accident, does anyone have any first hand or genuine second hand info about the AB 139? Such things as basic performance figures, certification, cost, availabilty, etc. Also any comparisons with say the 412EP.
Many thanks in advance.:confused:

ab139 for deepwater
 

Lockheed, Northrop to Revamp Coast Guard
Tue Jun 25, 4:18 PM ET
By Jim Wolf

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard ( news - web sites) on Tuesday picked Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. to overhaul its aging ships, aircraft and communications gear in a deal worth up to $17 billion over 30 years.


The "Deepwater" project calls for the purchase of up to 91 ships, 35 fixed-wing aircraft, 34 helicopters and 76 pilot-less surveillance aircraft, the Department of Transportation said in a statement.

In addition, the contract calls for upgrading 49 cutters, 93 helicopters and communications systems that help the Coast Guard do everything from stopping illegal immigrants to catching drug runners, protecting the environment and performing search and rescue operations.

The project is designed to turn the self-described 37th oldest of 39 similar fleets worldwide into the world's most highly integrated, in line with the Coast Guard's growing role since the Sept. 11 attacks.

"The tragic events of September 11 changed the world as we know it. Homeland security, now more than ever, is a mission where we must succeed," said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas Collins.

In March, the Coast Guard rejected proposals by two other bidders -- Boeing Co. and a team made up of Science Applications International Corp., Raytheon and Manitowoc Co.

Working with some cutters built as far back as the 1940s, the Coast Guard has been struggling to secure the nation's ports, enforce safety zones around Navy ships and board commercial ships in search of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

"As America's first line of defense for maritime homeland security, it is critical that the Coast Guard be able to identify and intercept targets of interest as far from U.S. shores as possible," said DOT Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson.

The "Deepwater" contract was to be awarded at a ceremony later Tuesday in Washington to Integrated Coast Guard Systems, the 50-50 partnership between Lockheed and Northrop.

Are they positive on the AB 139? Or will they be buying a assortment of A/Cs. I was kinda hoping the S-92 would be chosen. Would kind of make sense if there is some part comminality(did I spell that right?) Are the 92s perhaps too large to operate on the cutters? I am interested, because I am going to join soon and hopefuly get into flight school once I graduate college.

Any one with ship op experience have any insight on things that would be considered in choosing a helicopter?

For some reason Rotorhub is announcing that they have chosen 139. Not sure if that was the only one Lockheed / martin/ grumman proposed . I am sure there will be something official soon.

AB139 Achieves Type Certification
 

Paris Air Show, Press Release

http://isweb41.infoseek.co.jp/travel/helicopt/ab139.jpg

The AB139 has received its Italian IFR Type Certification.
Mr. Di Palma, Managing Director of the Italian Certification Air Worthiness Authority (ENAC), today 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 1600 hours of ground and flight test programs.

Mr. Caporaletti stated, “Today marks a tremendous achievement that testifies the companies’ commitment to the market to introduce the new benchmark medium twin helicopter.” Mr. Redenbaugh 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.

http://www.bellagustaaerospace.com/h..._Panel_800.jpg

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 (EMS) 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.

Jolly good.

Has anyone in the UK ordered any?

AB139 at Farnborough 2002