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The AgustaWestland AW139 is a medium-weight multi-role utility
twin-turboshaft Transport Category helicopter in the 6-tonne class,
accommodating 12 to 15 passengers and 1 or 2 crew. The AW139 is an all
new designed conventional configuration helicopter with 5-bladed main
rotor, 4-bladed tail rotor and retractable undercarriage, with provision
for up to 15 passengers in a high-density layout. The AW139 has a 'glass
cockpit. Development of the aircraft started in 1998 as a new helicopter
in the six ton category. The aircraft was originally designed and
developed jointly by Agusta and Bell Helicopters and marketed as the
Agusta-Bell AB139, although Bell subsequently withdrew from the project.
PZL-Swidnik as a partner in the AW139 programme assisted in the design
of the central fusekage of the aircraft and manufactured the first
prototype airframe in April 2000. The AW139 is powered by a pair of
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turbine engines. The marketing was
officially started at the International Paris Airshow in June 1999. The
first prototype or pre-production AB139 ( 01 c/n 31001) made its maiden
flight at the Agusta Cascina Costa di Samarata plant in Italy, on 3
February 2001. The first production AB139 aircraft (c/n 31004) flew
first on 24 June 2002. The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC)
certification was awarded on 18 June 2003 and US certification on 20
December 2004. In November 2005, Bell sold its stake in the AB139
programme to AgustaWestland and the helicopter is marketed since as
AgustaWestland AW139. On 9 July 2007, the EASA Type Certificate Data
Sheet for the Agusta AB139 was changed. As stated in the TDCS AW139 and
AB139 are two names for the same product. The first two production aircraft had a triple
screen display cockpit, but all following aircraft have had a 4-display
cockpit configuration as standard. In March 2004, the AB139 entered
customer service with Elilario Italia, that leased AB139 c/n 31005
I-ROCS from Agusta Elicotteri. Next to the Agusta Vergiate Production Line AW139 productionline,
Agusta Aerospace Corporation opened an assembly line in Philadelphia (PA), USA.
The AW139 airframe is manufactured by PZL-Swidnik in Poland. The AB139 designation is used
for c/n 31001 up to c/n 31054, whereas the AW139 designation is used
from c/n 31055 onwards. c/n 31201 onwards is used for the AW139 Long
Nose configuration. c/n 41001 onwards is used for the A.A.C. Philadelphia Production Line.
In the near future, a 50-50 joint venture between AgustaWestland and Oboronprom, a
Russian investment group will create an AW139 assembly line near Moscow.
Over 430 AW139 helicopters have now been ordered by almost 110 customers in approximately 40 countries all over
the world performing many tasks including VIP/corporate transport,
passenger shuttle services, offshore transport, EMS/SAR, law
enforcement, fire fighting and troop transport with civil operators,
government agencies. Over 200 have been delivered. In a bid to capture a greater share of the long-range
offshore transport market, AgustatWestland is increasing the maximum
cross weight of the AW139. The manufacturer plans to certificate the
AW139 with a maximum cross weight of 6.800kg, 400kg more than the
current model. |
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AgustaWestland used test-registration I-RAIA for the 2005-built AB139
c/n 31030. On 19 December 2005, the aircraft was registered PH-SHK in
the Netherlands with Capital Aviation Services BV, Hoofddorp, as owner
and Schreiner Northsea Helicopters BV, Den Helder, as registered
operator.
On 30 December, AgustaWestland AB139 PH-SHK arrived at Den Helder Airport.
The aircraft entered service with CHC Helicopters Netherlands. On 24 April 2006,
CHC Helicopters Netherlands BV, Den Helder, was registered as operator. |
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