Agusta AW139
Is this the same organization that initially purchased the 139s for EMS work without an air conditioning unit?
Regardless of that, CRM applies to both multi-crew and single pilot operations. There has to be a prioritization of tasks, even more so when flying single pilot in a fairly new type and in a very complex and potentially hostile environment.
It was only recently that the "C" in CRM changed from Cockpit to Crew.
On second thought, the Aussie Med types achieved what is regarded as a wet dream for the US EMS SLBs, being called "Flight Crews".
Boy, is THAT wrong or what?!
Regardless of that, CRM applies to both multi-crew and single pilot operations. There has to be a prioritization of tasks, even more so when flying single pilot in a fairly new type and in a very complex and potentially hostile environment.
It was only recently that the "C" in CRM changed from Cockpit to Crew.
On second thought, the Aussie Med types achieved what is regarded as a wet dream for the US EMS SLBs, being called "Flight Crews".
Boy, is THAT wrong or what?!
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The whole things looks bush-league, and pretty much an indictment of the sorry state of affairs in the EMS world in Australia.
The Crewmen that you talk about with such distain are very well trained and although not pilots they have the pilot theoretical knowledge and additionally many thousands of hours of EMS flight time - many at night and IFR.
Yes - a 2 pilot crew would be preferable for safety reasons and this particular operator is currently training these very Crewmen as pilots - an expensive and time consuming process that they should be congratulated for.
If I were flying EMS in Australia again I would much rather fly with one of these Crewmen on a night EMS task than any 500 hours co-pilot with no EMS experience. Besides I fly the 139 now and it is a far easier machine to manage than the SPIFR Bell 412's that were doing the same job in Australia before the 139 arrived.
CRM lessons can be learned from this. Aviate - Navigate - Communicate.
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I have flown EMS in Australia and Europe (not in North America thankfully)
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Thanks for the link to the G-CHCV report. Very scary.
Any idea why AAIB insist TB166 is not mandatory? I've just had a look at it clearly is.
http://www.agustawestland.com/sites/...ns/139-166.pdf
Any idea why AAIB insist TB166 is not mandatory? I've just had a look at it clearly is.
http://www.agustawestland.com/sites/...ns/139-166.pdf
Interesting to note they can harden the boards against moisture BUT it would incur higher cost in repair !!
I agree no moisture is the way to go (dry air + a tropical coating is good) but unless hermetically sealed with a inert gas not totally practical, so mod + extra sealing of board & connectors would be the way to go.
As to the extra cost of repair, small change in the scheme of things.
I realy do not understand how Either manufacturer could not envisage the problems encountered.
& failure, costs on postcard please,
I agree no moisture is the way to go (dry air + a tropical coating is good) but unless hermetically sealed with a inert gas not totally practical, so mod + extra sealing of board & connectors would be the way to go.
As to the extra cost of repair, small change in the scheme of things.
I realy do not understand how Either manufacturer could not envisage the problems encountered.
& failure, costs on postcard please,
Last edited by 500e; 18th Oct 2010 at 15:22. Reason: not coherent
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Honeywell don't seem to have grasped the offshore environment and have been badly caught out.
There were rumours they would be kicked off the AW139 in favour of Rockwell Collins.
There were rumours they would be kicked off the AW139 in favour of Rockwell Collins.
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Mmmmm ....
When you calculate the ridiculous replacement cost of these boards ... I think having them sealed/tropicalised (whatever) should be mandatory.
Honeywell need to realise the seriousness of this problem.
Its not just the computer boards either ... Agusta needs to look to the reliability of a whole bunch of things (A/P linear actuators for instance) that should not have to be replaced at low hour TIS intervals.
Brilliant aircraft BUT .....
When you calculate the ridiculous replacement cost of these boards ... I think having them sealed/tropicalised (whatever) should be mandatory.
Honeywell need to realise the seriousness of this problem.
Its not just the computer boards either ... Agusta needs to look to the reliability of a whole bunch of things (A/P linear actuators for instance) that should not have to be replaced at low hour TIS intervals.
Brilliant aircraft BUT .....
squib66:
The incident was on 23rd December 2008, the bulletin is dated April 6th 2009. It may be that the bulletin wasn't mandatory before this incident, but was changed to be so soon after and the final report hasn't been amended to reflect this.
The incident was on 23rd December 2008, the bulletin is dated April 6th 2009. It may be that the bulletin wasn't mandatory before this incident, but was changed to be so soon after and the final report hasn't been amended to reflect this.
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No problems here with the linear actuators. Two high-time A/C well over 5000 hrs, total with 4 A/C about 15000 hrs. and I believe 5 actuator replacements since we started with the AB/AW139 in Jan. 2006.
Important is preventing the wiring from sharp bends, databusses don't like that.
Talking about crappy linear actuators: what about the Hamilton Standard actuators in the S-76 models? TBO is 2500 hrs. Every time an actuator makes it to its TBO we get cake from the management ....... we don't eat much cake over here
Important is preventing the wiring from sharp bends, databusses don't like that.
Talking about crappy linear actuators: what about the Hamilton Standard actuators in the S-76 models? TBO is 2500 hrs. Every time an actuator makes it to its TBO we get cake from the management ....... we don't eat much cake over here
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It may be that the bulletin wasn't mandatory before this incident, but was changed to be so soon after and the final report hasn't been amended to reflect this.
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Bt139-166
Yep, the AW website lists 166 as a Mandatory BT, it's got a nice red margin around the edge of it and there have been no revisions to it since the first issue on April 6th, 2009.
Last edited by heliski22; 18th Oct 2010 at 21:31.
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500e They don't need to. I suggest you leave airworthiness to engineers.
Good news is the safety focused Maryland State Police are bringing the two crew AW139 into the US HEMS industry with some proper cost saving procurement.
Maryland Board of Public Works approves $72 million helicopter contract - baltimoresun.com
Good news is the safety focused Maryland State Police are bringing the two crew AW139 into the US HEMS industry with some proper cost saving procurement.
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $72 million contract Wednesday to purchase six new helicopters — larger and faster than those the state police now fly — to begin the replacement of the state's emergency medical fleet.
The three-member board unanimously ratified the contract with Agusta Aerospace Corp. of Philadelphia, the only company among four manufacturers that submitted a final bid. The contract includes an option for the state to acquire up to six more AW139 helicopters at the same price of $11.7 million each, plus an inflation adjustment.
Capt. Mark Gibbons, head of the State Police Aviation Command, said Maryland officials made repeated efforts to attract other bids. But after receiving only one, he said, officials negotiated a price that was $1.6 million less per helicopter than New Jersey State Police paid a year ago.
The three-member board unanimously ratified the contract with Agusta Aerospace Corp. of Philadelphia, the only company among four manufacturers that submitted a final bid. The contract includes an option for the state to acquire up to six more AW139 helicopters at the same price of $11.7 million each, plus an inflation adjustment.
Capt. Mark Gibbons, head of the State Police Aviation Command, said Maryland officials made repeated efforts to attract other bids. But after receiving only one, he said, officials negotiated a price that was $1.6 million less per helicopter than New Jersey State Police paid a year ago.
SM
Have been an Engineer for 50 years both mechanical & electronic & feel your remark is what I have come to expect from middle management, the "we know best don't ask questions", & are then surprised when it goes wrong.
I read anything that could either make me safer or the machine I fly safer, I EXPECT to be comprehensively informed by both the AAIB & manufacturer as to the state of play I would expect any papers\ web sites to be up to date & unambiguous with this information.
Have been an Engineer for 50 years both mechanical & electronic & feel your remark is what I have come to expect from middle management, the "we know best don't ask questions", & are then surprised when it goes wrong.
I read anything that could either make me safer or the machine I fly safer, I EXPECT to be comprehensively informed by both the AAIB & manufacturer as to the state of play I would expect any papers\ web sites to be up to date & unambiguous with this information.
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AW139 Epic Primus FMS Operating Manual
Hi can anyone help with a copy of this or any material that will be useful to know before going to the Agusta Type Training in Philly? I'm heading out there in early 2011 I've already got a RFM but seeme to be a generic one without most specifics for a particular serial. I'd appreciate any info on the Systems, FMS etc....please.
Thanks
Thirsty for Knowledge!
Thanks
Thirsty for Knowledge!
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Don't worry they will give you everything upon arrival.
Just go with the flow and do the studding after the course start.
You are there for that otherwise they just give you the manual and then you do the studding
Just go with the flow and do the studding after the course start.
You are there for that otherwise they just give you the manual and then you do the studding