AW169
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,796
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From: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
HeliHub's observations on the situation:
Still waiting for Mel Brooks' official comment...
I/C
AgustaWestland have delivered the first production AW169 prior to the type being given certification approval. Serial 69006 was delivered from Italy very early on Saturday 6th June to the UK, still carrying an Italian test registration I-RAIF and flown throughout by an AgustaWestland pilot. The helicopter was delivered to the Dubai Air Wing.
Interestingly, the AW169 was not only delivered into the UK but was actively used through the day to transport members of the Godolphin team between the London Heliport at Battersea, Epsom racecouse (where the Derby is held) and other locations. Yes, prior to certification.
Quite whether this is officially a “customer delivery” is perhaps debatable. However, the helicopter is not in an AgustaWestland house colour scheme like the other four flying prototypes, and does not carry AgustaWestland titles. The very fact that it has been delivered from Italy to the UK and used to transport passengers would strongly suggest that it is a customer aircraft.
Interestingly, the AW169 was not only delivered into the UK but was actively used through the day to transport members of the Godolphin team between the London Heliport at Battersea, Epsom racecouse (where the Derby is held) and other locations. Yes, prior to certification.
Quite whether this is officially a “customer delivery” is perhaps debatable. However, the helicopter is not in an AgustaWestland house colour scheme like the other four flying prototypes, and does not carry AgustaWestland titles. The very fact that it has been delivered from Italy to the UK and used to transport passengers would strongly suggest that it is a customer aircraft.
I/C
Last edited by Ian Corrigible; 14th June 2015 at 16:49.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 21
From: nowhere special
A little dickie bird tells me that AW are ramping up their turnkey solutions for operators and if you wanted to dry lease an AW ac with crew and pbh these days you could..
Wonder how BRS etc will feel about that....
Wonder how BRS etc will feel about that....
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,446
Likes: 367
From: Wildest Surrey
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 12
From: UK
chevvron
Indeed, during Ascot week. In fact Qatari helicopters (S92+EC155) have been more visible than Dubai helicopters at Ascot this week so far.
nowherespecial
"Wonder how BRS etc will feel about that...." - remember BRS are leasing 4+ AW139s from AW to cover for late AW189s... Maybe they gave AW the idea?
Indeed, during Ascot week. In fact Qatari helicopters (S92+EC155) have been more visible than Dubai helicopters at Ascot this week so far.
nowherespecial
"Wonder how BRS etc will feel about that...." - remember BRS are leasing 4+ AW139s from AW to cover for late AW189s... Maybe they gave AW the idea?
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 21
From: nowhere special
My nose is positively twitching that AW are offering 139s in the O&G market direct to small operators who use them to bid vs BRS, CHC etc....
Looks like AW are becoming an operator in all but name.
Looks like AW are becoming an operator in all but name.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,446
Likes: 367
From: Wildest Surrey
In my experience, the Dubai '139s don't go into Ascot, but land close by. I've certainly seen an S92 every day (live near the southern end of 'West End' free lane).
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Africa
AW169 Achieves EASA Certification - DETAIL - AgustaWestland
AW169 ACHIEVES EASA CERTIFICATION
Share
First all new helicopter type in its category in over 30 years set to enter service
AW169 Achieves EASA Certification
Marks operational readiness of the whole AW Family of new generation helicopters
Outstanding capabilities and innovation made available in less than five years
Over 150 aircraft already sold to customers worldwide for a wide range of roles
Fimeccanica-AgustaWestland announced today the new generation AW169 helicopter has been issued with type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 15 July 2015. Delivery of the first production helicopters to customers will now commence.
AgustaWestland has achieved EASA type certification less than five years after the AW169 programme launch. This achievement has been made possible also due to the strong collaboration between the EASA and AgustaWestland teams. With the AW169, AgustaWestland has responded to market demand for a new generation versatile light-intermediate twin-engine helicopter and has achieved its aim of greatly reducing the time to market, whilst meeting the most stringent operational and safety requirements set by the certification authorities and by the market.
The AW169 4.6 tonne helicopter is the first all new aircraft in its weight category to enter the market in more than 30 years, setting new certification and safety standards and marking the operational readiness of the whole AW Family. The first units will be delivered from the Vergiate final assembly line in Italy. A second AW169 final assembly line is being established at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia plant in the USA. AgustaWestland’s Yeovil plant in UK plays a key role in the production of rotor blades and the tail rotor transmission system. The AW169 programme has benefitted from UK Government support and has already proven extremely successful in this market for corporate transport and public service duties. A Flight Training Device (FTD) and a maintenance training simulator are already operational at AgustaWestland’s Sesto Calende Training Academy in Italy, while a Level D Full Flight Simulator will be available in 2016.
More than 150 AW169 helicopters have been ordered by customers around the world to date, including framework contracts and options, for a wide range of applications including executive/corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, offshore transport and utility roles. Designed with inherent dual-use capabilities, the AW169 is also ideally suited for the wide scope of parapublic and government applications and will be able to meet military and naval requirements.
AW169 ACHIEVES EASA CERTIFICATION
Share
First all new helicopter type in its category in over 30 years set to enter service
AW169 Achieves EASA Certification
Marks operational readiness of the whole AW Family of new generation helicopters
Outstanding capabilities and innovation made available in less than five years
Over 150 aircraft already sold to customers worldwide for a wide range of roles
Fimeccanica-AgustaWestland announced today the new generation AW169 helicopter has been issued with type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 15 July 2015. Delivery of the first production helicopters to customers will now commence.
AgustaWestland has achieved EASA type certification less than five years after the AW169 programme launch. This achievement has been made possible also due to the strong collaboration between the EASA and AgustaWestland teams. With the AW169, AgustaWestland has responded to market demand for a new generation versatile light-intermediate twin-engine helicopter and has achieved its aim of greatly reducing the time to market, whilst meeting the most stringent operational and safety requirements set by the certification authorities and by the market.
The AW169 4.6 tonne helicopter is the first all new aircraft in its weight category to enter the market in more than 30 years, setting new certification and safety standards and marking the operational readiness of the whole AW Family. The first units will be delivered from the Vergiate final assembly line in Italy. A second AW169 final assembly line is being established at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia plant in the USA. AgustaWestland’s Yeovil plant in UK plays a key role in the production of rotor blades and the tail rotor transmission system. The AW169 programme has benefitted from UK Government support and has already proven extremely successful in this market for corporate transport and public service duties. A Flight Training Device (FTD) and a maintenance training simulator are already operational at AgustaWestland’s Sesto Calende Training Academy in Italy, while a Level D Full Flight Simulator will be available in 2016.
More than 150 AW169 helicopters have been ordered by customers around the world to date, including framework contracts and options, for a wide range of applications including executive/corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, offshore transport and utility roles. Designed with inherent dual-use capabilities, the AW169 is also ideally suited for the wide scope of parapublic and government applications and will be able to meet military and naval requirements.
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Africa
https://easa.europa.eu/system/files/...9%20Issue1.pdf
is some one know why only 8 pax??? it's not planed to be a 10pax helicopter?
is some one know why only 8 pax??? it's not planed to be a 10pax helicopter?
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 56
From: Inverness-shire, Ross-shire
I have a copy of an AW-USA presentation for ICAR (75Mb!) that is aimed at SAR and EMS. It reads as follows.
Light transport category - 4.5 tonnes / 10,000 lbs class - 1/2 pilots / up to 10 pax.
Elsewhere in the family archives, the 189 type cert states 19 and the OEB Report states two passenger densities: 16 & 19.
Light transport category - 4.5 tonnes / 10,000 lbs class - 1/2 pilots / up to 10 pax.
Elsewhere in the family archives, the 189 type cert states 19 and the OEB Report states two passenger densities: 16 & 19.
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
First hand report from a 169 driver (not me!):
0: Good power margins equal to or better than AW139.
1: Fuel flow at 135 knots = 300kg per hour at 75% torque
2: Max fuel 1130litres
3: Built like a brick !!!! house.
4: Down side: software issue. Autopilot doesn't like turbulence collective hunting requires manual inputs. Software upgrade under development .
5: No nearest button for the GPS. Not approved for RNAV approaches .
6: Plus side: air conditioning outstanding
7: Visibility outstanding
8: Noise footprint: he is getting a lot of good reports .
9: Rear Cabin space: 3 reclining club chairs, and aft facing bench seat 4 across.
10: He loves flying it.
0: Good power margins equal to or better than AW139.
1: Fuel flow at 135 knots = 300kg per hour at 75% torque
2: Max fuel 1130litres
3: Built like a brick !!!! house.
4: Down side: software issue. Autopilot doesn't like turbulence collective hunting requires manual inputs. Software upgrade under development .
5: No nearest button for the GPS. Not approved for RNAV approaches .
6: Plus side: air conditioning outstanding
7: Visibility outstanding
8: Noise footprint: he is getting a lot of good reports .
9: Rear Cabin space: 3 reclining club chairs, and aft facing bench seat 4 across.
10: He loves flying it.