Agusta AW139
Nice door kit!
Regards
Aser
DART Helicopter Services Announces FAA Approval of the New Maintenance Kits for the AgustaWestland AW139 / AB139 Model of Aircraft
Friday October 14th 2011 - DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announces that DART Aerospace Ltd. (DAS) have received FAA approval of the following New Maintenance Kits for the AgustaWestland AW139 / AB139 Cargo Door Fwd Opening, Maintenance Step, Floor Protector Kit and Engine Wash Kit. Transport Canada and EASA approvals are pending.
Cargo Door Fwd Opening Kit
The DAS Cargo Door Fed Opening Kit provides improved safety by converting the existing upward opening cargo bay door to a forward opening configuration. The kit includes two sturdy CNC machined hinges, an additional latch and a gas spring that assists in opening and closing and ensures that when opened the door will not inadvertently close. This kit may be installed on either or both the LH and RH cargo bay doors.
Maintenance Step
The new DAS Maintenance Step Kit provides a secure work platform that is ideally located on the left and/or right side of the aircraft roof so that it can be used by the pilot and maintenance personnel to perform inspections on the main rotor and transmission. The kit installs easily with bolts into existing plug locations (for blade fold and mooring provisions) at STA 5795.0 and 5128.3. Fabricated from sturdy CNC machined components, the Maintenance Steps feature a non-slip embossed relief pattern for added personnel safety and a machined design for additional durability.
Floor Protector
Durable lightweight protection for the cargo compartment area honeycomb flooring. The Floor Protector panels are constructed of high density, impact resistant aerospace grade polycarbonate that will not warp or crack from extremes of heat or cold. The kit consists of three panels that are securely attached to the floor into existing nut plates.
Engine Wash Kit
The DAS Engine Wash Kit plumbs into the existing engine wash fittings, making the engine wash system easily accessible from the ground. Also available though DHS as a related product is Red Barn Machine’s Series 500 Compressor Wash System with Auxiliary Air Tank ideal to be used in conjunction with DAS Engine Wash Kit. This system will deliver was and rinse cycles within manufacturer specifications so you can be confident that critical engine components are being maintained safely, easily and with precision.
Friday October 14th 2011 - DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announces that DART Aerospace Ltd. (DAS) have received FAA approval of the following New Maintenance Kits for the AgustaWestland AW139 / AB139 Cargo Door Fwd Opening, Maintenance Step, Floor Protector Kit and Engine Wash Kit. Transport Canada and EASA approvals are pending.Cargo Door Fwd Opening Kit
The DAS Cargo Door Fed Opening Kit provides improved safety by converting the existing upward opening cargo bay door to a forward opening configuration. The kit includes two sturdy CNC machined hinges, an additional latch and a gas spring that assists in opening and closing and ensures that when opened the door will not inadvertently close. This kit may be installed on either or both the LH and RH cargo bay doors.
Maintenance Step
The new DAS Maintenance Step Kit provides a secure work platform that is ideally located on the left and/or right side of the aircraft roof so that it can be used by the pilot and maintenance personnel to perform inspections on the main rotor and transmission. The kit installs easily with bolts into existing plug locations (for blade fold and mooring provisions) at STA 5795.0 and 5128.3. Fabricated from sturdy CNC machined components, the Maintenance Steps feature a non-slip embossed relief pattern for added personnel safety and a machined design for additional durability.
Floor Protector
Durable lightweight protection for the cargo compartment area honeycomb flooring. The Floor Protector panels are constructed of high density, impact resistant aerospace grade polycarbonate that will not warp or crack from extremes of heat or cold. The kit consists of three panels that are securely attached to the floor into existing nut plates.
Engine Wash Kit
The DAS Engine Wash Kit plumbs into the existing engine wash fittings, making the engine wash system easily accessible from the ground. Also available though DHS as a related product is Red Barn Machine’s Series 500 Compressor Wash System with Auxiliary Air Tank ideal to be used in conjunction with DAS Engine Wash Kit. This system will deliver was and rinse cycles within manufacturer specifications so you can be confident that critical engine components are being maintained safely, easily and with precision.
Aser
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Originally Posted by MirkoR
Sono certo che Epiphany voleva solo essere simpatico e non intendeva offendere gli Italiani.
Translation: However, a little English knowledge would be rather desirable in vergiate.
Pleeeease give me a break ...!!!!
The National Security Agency Flight (ANSV) hosted an international meeting of three days for the sharing of technical issues raised during the technical investigations of three AW139 helicopters in Qatar , Brazil and Hong Kong . This was announced ANSV, involved with their representatives as Italy is the design and construction of the AW139 and promoter of the meeting to share evidence gathered. The other participants - in addition to the manufacturer AgustaWestland - were the investigating authorities of the three countries in which events occurred, the United Kingdom and Macao, EASA, ENAC and Air Force. The meeting, held October 17 to 19, will be followed by a second in February 2011 to check the status of ongoing investigations and the effectiveness of activities. Technical content of the meeting and action was not given any indication.
Regards
Aser
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You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink 
Molte scuse Mirko. Originariamente ho scritto che famosa citazione in italiano per il vostro beneficio, ma misteriosamente tornato alla notte inglese.
Molte scuse Mirko. Originariamente ho scritto che famosa citazione in italiano per il vostro beneficio, ma misteriosamente tornato alla notte inglese.
Last edited by Epiphany; 23rd Oct 2011 at 09:26.
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AW139 technical issues meetings
I wonder if they will look outside the issues identified by the manufacturer and look at other issues such as I have raised on this forum? When evidence exists of the widespread occurrence of a specific bond deficiency which is known to produce a 53% loss of peel strength in bonded joints and 28% loss of honeycomb peel strength, surely they will not ignore this?
I remain prepared to talk to anyone of the investigators if required.
Regards
Blakmax
I remain prepared to talk to anyone of the investigators if required.
Regards
Blakmax
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New FAA AD on Tailboom
Might be old news to you all but FAA just catching up with BT sequence. New AD supersedes old Emergency AD from late 2009.
AD 2011-20-06, iaw BT139-195 Rev B, supersedes AD AD 2009-19-51, and allows pilot to comply with daily visual check per para (a)
AD 2011-20-06, iaw BT139-195 Rev B, supersedes AD AD 2009-19-51, and allows pilot to comply with daily visual check per para (a)
Just today I was reminded on existence of one another piece of composite NDT ultrasonict
testing technology. ("For dummies"
)
On first hand spec. this one can be more than useful for quick results almost
no special training & ramp testing... for sure more accurate than "tap" test
http://www.ge-mcs.com/download/ultra...bondtracer.pdf
http://www.ge-mcs.com/download/ultra...bondtracer.pdf
Any existing experience, out there?
testing technology. ("For dummies"
)On first hand spec. this one can be more than useful for quick results almost
no special training & ramp testing... for sure more accurate than "tap" test
http://www.ge-mcs.com/download/ultra...bondtracer.pdf
http://www.ge-mcs.com/download/ultra...bondtracer.pdf
Any existing experience, out there?
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AB 139 incident 11 Nov
Any rumours/news on this one?
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 139FW Make/Model: A139 Description: AGUSTA AB139
Date: 11/11/2011 Time: 1600
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Minor
LOCATION
City: LEEVILLE State: LA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N139FW AGUSTA AB139 ROTORCRAFT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE UNDER UNKNOWN
CIRCUMSTANCES, LEEVILLE, LA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: 111555Z AUTO 06005KT 10SM CLR 15/01 A3033
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: BATON ROUGE, LA (SW03) Entry date: 11/14/2011
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 139FW Make/Model: A139 Description: AGUSTA AB139
Date: 11/11/2011 Time: 1600
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Minor
LOCATION
City: LEEVILLE State: LA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N139FW AGUSTA AB139 ROTORCRAFT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE UNDER UNKNOWN
CIRCUMSTANCES, LEEVILLE, LA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: 111555Z AUTO 06005KT 10SM CLR 15/01 A3033
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: BATON ROUGE, LA (SW03) Entry date: 11/14/2011
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NDI methods and their relevance to airworthiness
Sorry 9A+ I have been away on R and R, so I did not have a chance to reply.
In reality it does not matter what method is employed, the essence of the matter is that NDI depends directly on managing defect detection before the defect exceeds a critical value where failure may occur. Different methods may have different levels of accuracy and while that accuracy is sometimes important, it is even more important to understand the validity of the estimated "critical defect size". This is usually determined by the OEM by analysis or testing, typically based on artificial defects, usually teflon inserts for testing and disconnected elements for analysis. This procedure is known as Damage Tolerance Analysis (DTA).
So how valid is DTA? A fundamental feature of current DTA methods is that they all assume that the adhesive adjacent to the defect maintains the original properties (especially strength) of the original adhesive material. In reality, there is only ever one condition where DTA is valid, and that is in assessing the significance of defects identified in post-production inspections, and then only if the defects are large voids.
Let me be clear: If the defects are the micro-voids (porosity) exhibited in some AW139 disbonds, then DTA is inappropriate because the adjacent material will have a lower strength than the pristine bond material without porosity. Unless the testing or analysis is based on a reduction in localised strength, the analysis is invalid.
Next, if the defect is an in-service disbond, then again the localised material properties will be lower than for pristine material because in-service disbonds are due to interfacial degradation (or fatigue of micro-voided bonds such as those which have been reported in AW139 boom structure) so again DTA is invalid.
This is explained in my recent paper http://www.adhesionassociates.com/pa...d%20Joints.doc
So really the method of inspection is not really relevant; the validity of the defect size you are looking for is the really important issue. It is a bit like argueing about how many angels one can engrave on the head of a pin, when the real question is if the pin will hold up your trousers!
Regards
Blakmax
In reality it does not matter what method is employed, the essence of the matter is that NDI depends directly on managing defect detection before the defect exceeds a critical value where failure may occur. Different methods may have different levels of accuracy and while that accuracy is sometimes important, it is even more important to understand the validity of the estimated "critical defect size". This is usually determined by the OEM by analysis or testing, typically based on artificial defects, usually teflon inserts for testing and disconnected elements for analysis. This procedure is known as Damage Tolerance Analysis (DTA).
So how valid is DTA? A fundamental feature of current DTA methods is that they all assume that the adhesive adjacent to the defect maintains the original properties (especially strength) of the original adhesive material. In reality, there is only ever one condition where DTA is valid, and that is in assessing the significance of defects identified in post-production inspections, and then only if the defects are large voids.
Let me be clear: If the defects are the micro-voids (porosity) exhibited in some AW139 disbonds, then DTA is inappropriate because the adjacent material will have a lower strength than the pristine bond material without porosity. Unless the testing or analysis is based on a reduction in localised strength, the analysis is invalid.
Next, if the defect is an in-service disbond, then again the localised material properties will be lower than for pristine material because in-service disbonds are due to interfacial degradation (or fatigue of micro-voided bonds such as those which have been reported in AW139 boom structure) so again DTA is invalid.
This is explained in my recent paper http://www.adhesionassociates.com/pa...d%20Joints.doc
So really the method of inspection is not really relevant; the validity of the defect size you are looking for is the really important issue. It is a bit like argueing about how many angels one can engrave on the head of a pin, when the real question is if the pin will hold up your trousers!
Regards
Blakmax
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This is third hand information on the 11 Nov incident. Apparently a cowling came off/loose and came in contact with the MRB's. Initially it was thought there may have been some engine FOD and the blades would need to be changed, but on closer inspection it was determined that there was no FOD damage and the blade damage was superficial.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is also pleased to announce its intention to establish the JV as an AgustaWestland Authorized Training Centre. ADA/Mubadala will then provide training services using a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified AW139 Level D Full Flight Simulator (FFS) designed, developed and supplied by CAE and AgustaWestland. The JV is subject to any required antitrust and other regulatory approvals. Offshore operators will benefit from specific mission training services once the Authorized Training Centre achieves operational readiness.
Bruno Spagnolini, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “This latest announcement continues AgustaWestland’s strategy to expand its worldwide network of Authorised Training Centres to deliver high quality training services to our growing number of customers. The Middle East region is an important market for AgustaWestland and particularly the AW139 helicopter, so we are very pleased to be partnering with ADA/Mubadala who will be able to provide AW139 type conversion, recurrent and operational role training to operators across the region.” Abu Dhabi Aviation is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East with a fleet that includes 16 AW139 helicopters. The bulk of the company's business activity is in support of Abu Dhabi offshore oil and engineering and construction companies. Other business activities include medical evacuation, survey, photography and charter.
Bruno Spagnolini, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “This latest announcement continues AgustaWestland’s strategy to expand its worldwide network of Authorised Training Centres to deliver high quality training services to our growing number of customers. The Middle East region is an important market for AgustaWestland and particularly the AW139 helicopter, so we are very pleased to be partnering with ADA/Mubadala who will be able to provide AW139 type conversion, recurrent and operational role training to operators across the region.” Abu Dhabi Aviation is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East with a fleet that includes 16 AW139 helicopters. The bulk of the company's business activity is in support of Abu Dhabi offshore oil and engineering and construction companies. Other business activities include medical evacuation, survey, photography and charter.
Regards
Aser
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Give Link Please for US Mishap?
I checked the NTSB - National Transportation Safety Board site for the US NTSB - National Transportation Safety Board site and can not find this?
Last edited by Redhawk 83; 15th Nov 2011 at 18:09. Reason: No location
AW139 NJSP, MSP Aviation Command, Province of Trento
Interesting to see that the 139 is doing well in the para public sector lately what with orders for Maryland State Police and for Automony state of Trento in Italy for the local fire emergency services.
Though looking at the AE advertisement in Vertical Magazine and other pubs, noticed a New Jersey State Police 139 shown and knew they were ordering a new fleet to replace their S-76B but didnt see anything on the AW web to announced they been delivered which I thought was odd for AW not to publicise this.
I've seen other pics of the Bon Jovi
state police 139 in flight so figured they must have been delivered earlier this year.
Though looking at the AE advertisement in Vertical Magazine and other pubs, noticed a New Jersey State Police 139 shown and knew they were ordering a new fleet to replace their S-76B but didnt see anything on the AW web to announced they been delivered which I thought was odd for AW not to publicise this.
I've seen other pics of the Bon Jovi
state police 139 in flight so figured they must have been delivered earlier this year.
Uncommanded or unintentional? Like it went of on its own, or after the pilots fiddled with the switches and inadvertently caused their own misfortune - like we often see on float tests?
Haven't heard of any accident as a result, not even a PAN call, so assume they just flew it home and asked for a re-pack? Seems to confirm the Agusta position that the world will not end if they inflate in flight.
Haven't heard of any accident as a result, not even a PAN call, so assume they just flew it home and asked for a re-pack? Seems to confirm the Agusta position that the world will not end if they inflate in flight.
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I can confirm it was unintentional for sure. As to un-commanded I guess that would depend on your interpretation of that. It was commanded, but not by the crew ;-)
They are still investigating, but seems the culprit may be the float control box (the box with the arming switch)
Yes, the floats did stay attached again this time and other than a VERY rapid decrease in speed, did not seem to have too much effect. Of course this was in severe VMC.
Actually AW has no official position on this matter, they never tested them at any speed.
Sorry, no simple repack allowed.
They are still investigating, but seems the culprit may be the float control box (the box with the arming switch)
Yes, the floats did stay attached again this time and other than a VERY rapid decrease in speed, did not seem to have too much effect. Of course this was in severe VMC.
Actually AW has no official position on this matter, they never tested them at any speed.
Sorry, no simple repack allowed.