Offshore operations
Saudi Aramco has been conducting offshore operations with the AW139 since August of this year. So far we have accumulated around 400 flight hours on our first three aircraft.
We have had no major problems with the AW139. One aircraft had some air conditioner problems but it ended up being a chaffed wire. That same aircraft had an autopilot problem, but it has been corrected. We have also had an issue with the tail rotor scissors assembly. We are in the process of changing them out to a "latest and greatest" part number.
For offshore operations, we have had no major problems. The passengers are enjoying the aircraft, the large baggage area and the ease of loading / unloading. We are operating in a 12 passenger configuration. The passenger seatbelts could be improved on, but that is the only real problem.
We are also using the aircraft for our Harbor Pilot mission. We average around 5 hoist missions per day / night. This aircraft replaced our BH-214ST for this mission. The 214ST has conducted this mission (safely) since 1982 and with over 30,000 hoist missions, it has big shoes to fill. So far we are all impressed with the capabilities of the AW139 for this mission. The smaller dimensions will allow us to land on more tankers than before. With the 214ST, we averaged 40% landings. We expect the landings to increase to at least 50%.
Up front, we are very impressed with the air conditioner, power and the general simplicity of the aircraft. We have established a cruise limit of 75% PI. When our loads are light we are cruising at around 142 KIAS and at maximum gross weight we are cruising at 138 KIAS. We are using 400 KG per hour for fuel planning and that is working out well.
EASA has just approved the gross weight increase and we are expecting the FAA approval by the end of the year. Operating the aircraft at 6800 KG will be a bit of a challenge, especially in our environment, but it should be fine.
If you have any specific questions, you can send me a PM.
Rennie