Any rumours about the AB139?
 

Hi,

with all the discussion regarding the EC225 and S92, I'm wondering, is there also this much knowledge about the AB139?

It's single engine performance is supposed to be great, but is this true?

Does anybody know how it flies?

How's its position regarding it's competition regarding offshore (S76C, EC155, etc).

Just wondering


:p


DJG

Shawn Coyle

Any chance you could give us a debrief of your January flight test?

Or, if it didn't go ahead, your impressions from your 15 mins of gas?

Heliport

It was in Galveston, TX a couple of weeks back, at the Evergreen hangar. Supposedly doing hot & humid testing, and they had the right place for that. They spent a lot of time hovering OGE, but other than that I don't know much.

Recently had the FAA Avionics project engineer available. Indicated the avionics EP's (as of now) are volumes thick.

I've been off line for a while so sorry for the delay in responding.
I've been trying to get back to fly the machine for some time, but it's been busy doing avionics and hot weather testing.
My impression was very favorable - great field of view, smooth, fast, nice displays, and a baggage compartment you could hover an R-22 in.
Simple in appearance, and a huge cockpit as well.
And you don't have to climb up anything to get in it - the cockpit door on the co-pilot's side was so wide that I didn't have to do any contortions to get past the collective head.

skymaster19 said: "Recently had the FAA Avionics project engineer available. Indicated the avionics EP's (as of now) are volumes thick."

That EPIC system is a real marvel, actually a bit similar to some research cockpits that I have flown. It is not just avionics, that is pronbably one of the reasons why its procedures look so long, on paper. It can be circuit breakers, normal switches, systems controls, health, autopilot, and avionics.

I had a demo CD at one time that was simply so far reaching, it had features that Comanche had, a real statement for a civil system developed with commercial dollars!

Nick,

Interesting that what is supposed to be so automated (Avionics and displays) can be such a challenge to learn for us over 40. I think the 92 MFD's and "Rubberband" are light years ahead compared to IIDS as far as being user friendly.

Spirits are up around the Center. Joint team effort and now a Level C to get everyone through.

BTW, we just hired your double....

Keith

SkyMaster19,

My double, huh? Poor guy. Congrats to the team for getting the sim approved, can I fly it now?

The thing about all those EP's is probably more to do with the scope of the system, and the conservative FAA, who want to be sure and dot all the i's on a new type system. Think about it, does your flight manual have an EP for Oil Pressure Gage failure? I'll bet the new Epic manual has similar coverage for common failures that must now be specified.

Ab 139 Cockpit
 

Hay!

My friend is working on AB-139 Model for Flight Simulator.
I was wondering if any of you "rotorheads" have any closeup pictures of AB-139. (Exterior or interior)

Thank you for your help.

You have a PM

noooby

Ab139
 

Is there anyone out there operating the AB139? Any information concerning the aircraft would be appreciated.

Just on the topic of flight simulator. Does anyone know where to download some quality helis? Also some insutructions on how to install them.

BWM85

fundercc,

try this URL for a production list. Not too sure how up to date it is. Aga Khan have 5, Namibia Govt have 2, Air Green have at least 1, Elilario have at least 1, and there is another 1 in the UAE. A few minor problems with some machines, mostly avionic/electrical. Others are working with no problems at all. Power to spare according to the pilot types, and fast as well (150knot cruise). I see you are in Saudi, not with ARAMCO are you??

http://www.dgualdo.it/prod-ab139.htm

nooby

Damiano's site is pretty much up to date. He doesnt live far from the Agusta plant and pretty much has the latest imagery of their new deliveries.

Cheers

Ned

P.S. Evergreen also have one but it has been leased back to Bell Agusta and rumour I got when in Africa last week was that one of the Namibian machines is grounded as they cooked one of the engines.

bwm 85, try www.hovercontrol.com they have some good helis there.

Ned, sounds like a good rumour!! :D At the moment one machine in Namibia is out in the wops for a week flying around, and the other one is sitting in the hangar with nothing to do. What the guys you were talking to probably meant to say is that, a while back, there were some problems with the engines that P&W addressed through service bulletins (Fuel cooled oil cooler, Power Turbine). The only issue now that I am aware of, is sand injestion (funny that, flying round in the desert!!). At least one of the Namibia machines is trialling a Bleed Air Particle Sep, which will be a welcome addition when its certification is completed

Noooby

Thanks for the information. Good guess on Aramco. We are looking to replace our 214/212/412 fleet and any information anyone has on the AB139 is appreciated.

hehe, used to work for alsalam in saudi. sheesh. met a few aramco guys in italy earlier this year, they were doing 109e course, i was doing 139 course, they indicated that you guys might be looking at the 139 as well. leaves a 412 for dead!!! not as much of a truck as the 212, needs a bit more care, but lifts more. 6000lb external if i remember correctly. don't quote me on that though, i have yet to see a cargo hook on a production machine, and only saw one on a prototype!!

noooby

AB139 Simulator
 

Does anyone have any info on the development of an AB139 full-motion simulator?

Useful info would include dates and possible location.

Also, do any pilots have any feedback on the Aircraft itself?

Thanks in advance,

JG

I read somewhere the sim will be ready before mid 2006 :confused: around Sasto Calende in Italy.
I'd like to hear comments from pilots also.

Regards.
Aser

Don't hold your breath or you'll pass out!