Originally Posted by
Phoinix
I'd say, Yes, It does need a power upgrade, not an MTOM upgrade. At 6.800 it can barely hold its TOP HOGE at ISA conditions at 2.500 ft. You don't want to see a 7000 MTOM chart... see level ISA performance only.
Buy a 189K so. The 139 was originally certified at 6T. Adding a whole tonne to the MTOW was really pushing it. There's no such thing as a free lunch. You can have power or reliability but not both. Another few HP isn't going to turn a 7T 139 into a 6.4T 139. In effect the 139 has ruined an entire group of pilots forever because they have no idea what an underpowered helicopter is like to fly.