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AW189 makes maiden flight
AgustaWestland has flown its AW189 medium helicopter for the first time.
The aircraft, which is a spin-off the AW149 military transport, took to the air for the first time at the company's Cascina Costa plant on 21 December.
The company said the aircraft performed 'as expected' during the maiden flight in the hands of Chief Test Pilot Giuseppe Lo Coco. The flight included an assessment of the helicopter’s general handling and basic systems.
The first prototype will be used for avionic system testing and certification of offshore equipment options, while the second prototype, set to fly in 2012, will be dedicated to a load survey programme.
Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland said: 'Performing the first flight of the new AW189 just a few months after its launch highlights our strong commitment to providing the market with the most advanced helicopters in the shortest possible timescales.
'We are delighted with the initial response from the market with a number of leading operators having already committed to buy the AW189 for long range offshore missions.'
Spagnolini also believes the AW189 will be an attractive platform for SAR operators because of its long range and operating costs.
A number of sales for the AW189 have already been secured from operators serving the offshore oil and gas markets, including Bristow Helicopters, Bel Air, and Weststar Aviation Services.
AgustaWestland aims to achieve civil certification for the AW189 in 2013 and to start deliveries in early 2014.
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