Agusta AW139

[eivissa]

You're welcome.
One should just enjoy the pictures, cause the reporter managed to fill the short documentary with lots of errors, like talking about the A109 and showing the A119, saying the EH101 is having a max range of 250NM and it being the only triple-engined helicopter worldwide

[noooby]

Looks like the forward sliding cowl wasn't latched properly. Early helicopters had a sliding cowling that tucked in behind the swashplate. To slide the cowling forward, you first had to open an access door at the top on each side, otherwise the cowl would hit the swashplate. The cowling was redesigned quite early on so that these doors weren't needed anymore. Those little doors really were a pain in the

[copterdr76]

139 operators above 12,000 ft

Anyone operating with supplemental oxygen for pilots and engineer's ? We have a need for this and would like some input, please. Anyone ?

[noooby]

Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan were using the Mountain High EDS portable O2 system when I was there a few years back. Bottle was strapped to the back of the pilots seat. With Mountain High, you can get distribution boxes that will allow a couple of cannulas or masks to be used off of one bottle. Have a look at the Mountain High website:

Mountain High Aviation Oxygen Systems

And because they are pulse/demand systems instead of constant flow, you get more duration out of your bottle. I've used them alot gliding. Cannulas aren't certified above 18000 feet in most countries though, so I carry a mask as well.

Hope that points you in the right direction.

[spyman2009]

Augusta AW 139 pictures

Hello all first time here.
I have been asked to put together a presentation on the electrical system of the AW 139.
In order to construct some of the 3d models ,I need to reference some pictures of the main electrical components,.these being the Generator ,GCU , both Batteries ,overhead switch panel and the Engine quadrant .
I have searched the web but have not been able to find any photos of these items anywhere , also as they do not operate in this country I cannot to take any pictures myself.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Spyman 2009

[co26]

aw139 lost tail boom

just heard AW139 lost tail boom while taxiing in Doha, just prior to take-off.

[spinwing]

Mmmm ....

This is going to get interesting ....

[airwave45]

Sorry, should really read previous posts before posting. heard same rumour.

Epiphany . .I have a hat here . . . .(bit mangy though)

[S.M.S]

AW139 lost tail boom while taxiing in Doha, just prior to take-off.

[9Aplus]

reading recent info,
out of you people,
must admit,
really enjoying

[bandit19]

Battle Damage

Anyone had to do composite repairs yet? Just wondering if a few holes (non structural) are a show stopper or if they can be repaired in short order.

Thanks

[bandit19]

I'll take that as a "no"

I'll let everyone know...It's just a matter of time

[wde]

6800 kg Op limits

Hey all:

Just heard from internal sources that Agusta has changed the operating temperature limit for the AW139 for 6800 kg ops, especially the cold weather limit from -40 to -30C.

May not mean much for most of you but here in Northern Canada, that is a big difference.

Does anybody have any insight?

Thanks

Walter

[blakmax]

reduced flight operating temperatures

Given my comments on the tail failure thread, I am not surprised about the reduced temerature limits. The strength of adhesive bonds depends strongly on temperature, with lower temperatures causing higher stress at failure but also causing the adhesive to become very brittle. The overall strength of an adhesive depends on the area under the stress-strain curve, so even though the failure stress is higher, the lack of ductility means that the adhesive bond may be weaker. Combine that with a large number of micro-voids and the strength could become critical at low temperature. Therefore given their current issues with the Doha incident, a reduction of the operating envelope is prudent.
I am surprised that there are not weight restrictions as well, given the significant loss of strength which micro-voids cause.
Still haven't heard from AW.
Regards

Blakmax

[9Aplus]

Blax....Please do not worry....
You will be on top of mine favor consultants list in case
of any deal with them

[ATPMBA]

I think heat has an affect on bonding materials. The MidEast can be an oven.

[blakmax]

Effect of heat

ATPMBA wrote

I think heat has an affect on bonding materials. The MidEast can be an oven.

Heat does have significant effects on adhesives. The stress to failure is lower, but the adhesive bcomes more ductile, and again remembering that the strength of the joint depends on the area under the strsss-strain curve, the adhesive load capacity is often slightly higher at elevated temperature. There is an upper limit to adhesive performance, known as the "Glass Transition Temperature". Above that temperature the adhesive passes from being a relatively hard glassy material to a soft, compliant rubbery material. Stength and performance fall away above that temperature. As a general rule, the higher the processing temperature for the adhesive the higher the Tg. My observation of the close-up photos I have seen indicate that AW used a film adhesive which means it was cured at least 120C (250F) and may have been cured as high as 175C (350F) in which case the Tg should be adequate even in the sand pit.
My observations from the photos is that there is extensive micro-voiding present in the samples I have seen. Micro voids occur when volatiles are released during cure of the adhesive during production. They cause a significant reduction in strength for lap-shear joints and I would expect a similar reduction in core to skin bond strength. I suspect that this may have contributed to the DOH failure.
Because of the number of causes of micro-voiding and the fact that this feature has been observed from two separate samples from two different areas of the boom, it is reasonable to expect that this may not be isolated to one aircraft and may not be isolated to only the disbond area from which the sample was taken.
Regards

blakmax

[Scorpygixxer]

Fascinating and informative discussion and information from many posters here. Cleared up a number of questions for me and for my future students. Thought you might like to see some of the other side of the 139's party pieces:

You Tube

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b99a7jZ


Just in case all of the RFM and FMS / Composite discussion was getting a bit too much for you!

[blakmax]

DUCK!

Geez Scorpygixxer, I hope that isn't being aimed at me! Talk about shoot the messenger!

Blakmax

[9Aplus]

Nice cloudy Irish weather should be included within AW139 RFM