Agusta AW139
Joined: Feb 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Please ... i cant believe this crap people are writing about a proven machine as in a 155 ??? Ask Shell in Warri, Nigeria about a 155. Or pilots in Aby Dhabi that went back an fourth between a 412 and 139. I have been flying the 139 in high demand daily operations, often even 24 hour environment with one day per week scheduled maintenance. FOR 5 YEARS since 2006. The only other helicopter that compares is a 76C++ In terms of Class one (CAT A) performance there is nothing that compares until the EC175 comes out. So for your customer it is by far the safest machine out there!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Europe
There's been about a dozen MGB replacements for AW139 during the last year has I heard but I don't know what's the exact problem with those.
Does anyone has any expirence with FIPS ? Is it working as it should be ?
Does anyone has any expirence with FIPS ? Is it working as it should be ?
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Global
Final report of AW139 engine failure from P&W.
"The reported in-flight shut down was resultant from the fracture of one first stage compressor vane due to fatigue initiating in the vicinity of the trailing edge. The root cause for the vane fatigue could not be determined."
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: West Coast
FIPS
Main Rotor / Windscreen works great, Tail Rotor has a couple of problems that no one at Agusta knows how to deal with. Tail Rotor deice does not most of the time and I hear some of the other FIPS machines are going through the same problems. Purchased the $6,000.00 Arinc 429 Adapter and software, just have to figure out how it works for troubleshooting.
If I find the gremlin I will let you know.
If I find the gremlin I will let you know.
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Europe
AW139 Engineer
We found our problem with FIPS which were SOVs (both). Before the change of these the system worked sometimes and at the end it didn't work at all. About the ARINC 429 adapter and software - to be honest I'm a little bit disappointed of it. I hoped it says the exact problem but it tells a punch of codes and due to that you need a lot tabels and other papers to figure out what the computer wants to tell you.
We found our problem with FIPS which were SOVs (both). Before the change of these the system worked sometimes and at the end it didn't work at all. About the ARINC 429 adapter and software - to be honest I'm a little bit disappointed of it. I hoped it says the exact problem but it tells a punch of codes and due to that you need a lot tabels and other papers to figure out what the computer wants to tell you.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 5
From: Abu Dhabi
I don't know but...
Bond Offshore Helicopters prepare for AW139 operations | Helihub - the Helicopter Industry Data Source
Regards
Aser
Bond Offshore Helicopters prepare for AW139 operations | Helihub - the Helicopter Industry Data Source
1 Feb, 11
Yesterday, Bond Offshore Helicopters registered their first AW139 helicopter with teh UK CAA – it is G-PERA which reflects it being contracted to the independent oil & gas company Perenco. Previously this company’s operations were supported by an AW139 from CHC. The AW139, which will be joined by a second prior to the contract start on 1st May, will be based from Norwich. This airport is fast becoming the “Aberdeen of the Southern North Sea” as other options such as North Denes are closed down. (see HeliHub.com story)
This is the first time Bond Offshore Helicopters operates the AW139, and its first contract in the Southern North Sea.
Perenco has operations in 16 countries across the globe, ranging from Northern Europe to Africa and from South America to the Middle East.
Yesterday, Bond Offshore Helicopters registered their first AW139 helicopter with teh UK CAA – it is G-PERA which reflects it being contracted to the independent oil & gas company Perenco. Previously this company’s operations were supported by an AW139 from CHC. The AW139, which will be joined by a second prior to the contract start on 1st May, will be based from Norwich. This airport is fast becoming the “Aberdeen of the Southern North Sea” as other options such as North Denes are closed down. (see HeliHub.com story)
This is the first time Bond Offshore Helicopters operates the AW139, and its first contract in the Southern North Sea.
Perenco has operations in 16 countries across the globe, ranging from Northern Europe to Africa and from South America to the Middle East.
Aser
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 5
From: Abu Dhabi
Date: 2010-01-04
Further Action Required: Yes
O.P.I.: Commercial & Business Aviation
Narrative: London Air Services Ltd. Agusta AW139, registration C-FPSE enroute IFR from Tofino (CYAZ) to Victoria Harbour (Camel Point, CBF7) encountered icing conditions that required a descent to 5000' which was below the IFR minimum alititude of 7000'. Controllers treated the situation as an emergency and monitored the aircraft to ensure that the helicopter remained over water, clear of terrain. The aircraft was handed off to Seattle (SEA) Air Route Traffic Control Centre (ARTCC) at 1850z.
Above the text from the Cadors report.
Further Action Required: Yes
O.P.I.: Commercial & Business Aviation
Narrative: London Air Services Ltd. Agusta AW139, registration C-FPSE enroute IFR from Tofino (CYAZ) to Victoria Harbour (Camel Point, CBF7) encountered icing conditions that required a descent to 5000' which was below the IFR minimum alititude of 7000'. Controllers treated the situation as an emergency and monitored the aircraft to ensure that the helicopter remained over water, clear of terrain. The aircraft was handed off to Seattle (SEA) Air Route Traffic Control Centre (ARTCC) at 1850z.
Above the text from the Cadors report.
Regards
Aser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Global
This is an excerpt from the Honeywell Service Information Letter 7 FEB 2011.
Honeywell has an software fix which will only be available if you upgrade to Phase 7. However, maybe with more operator's putting pressure on them and Agusta we can have all the aircraft updated.
(e) Autopilot/Flight Director
NOTE: The following issue affects Phase 5 and Phase 6 only.
1 The radar altitude hold (RHT) mode:
a On some occasions, RHT does not hold altitude and will
increase or decrease altitude without pilot input. This does
not occur every time RHT is engaged.
NOTE: The following issue affects Phase 5 and Phase 6 only.
2 The hover (HOV) mode has been seen to disengage without input
from the pilot. This does not occur every time HOV is engaged.
3 Instrument landing system (ILS) offsets:
a While on localizer (LOC), an offset of as much as one dot off
is observed even though the flight director bars are centered.
This does not occur on every ILS approach and is not limited
to any specific approach.
b If the aircraft is lined up on the ILS prior to engagement,
the offset does not occur.NOTE: The following issue affects Phase 5 and Phase 6 only.
1 The radar altitude hold (RHT) mode:
a On some occasions, RHT does not hold altitude and will
increase or decrease altitude without pilot input. This does
not occur every time RHT is engaged.
NOTE: The following issue affects Phase 5 and Phase 6 only.
2 The hover (HOV) mode has been seen to disengage without input
from the pilot. This does not occur every time HOV is engaged.
3 Instrument landing system (ILS) offsets:
a While on localizer (LOC), an offset of as much as one dot off
is observed even though the flight director bars are centered.
This does not occur on every ILS approach and is not limited
to any specific approach.
b If the aircraft is lined up on the ILS prior to engagement,
Honeywell has an software fix which will only be available if you upgrade to Phase 7. However, maybe with more operator's putting pressure on them and Agusta we can have all the aircraft updated.