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Farnborough 2010: New Zealand Air Force AW109 makes public debut
AgustaWestland is displaying one of the first A109 LUH (NZ) TrainingLight Utility Helicopters for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at the Farnborough International Air Show.
The aircraft, NZ3403, is the third aircraft of the five helicopter order made by the New Zealand government in May 2008.
The first aircraft is being used for development flying, while the second will be used to train four instructors on the type ready for when the helicopters arrive and enter service at the RNZAF base at Ohakea early next year.
The aircraft, which will serve with 3 Sqn, will be used to train frontline pilots for the NH90 and the navy fleet of Sea Sprites, replacing the elderly UH-1 and Sioux helicopters.
The aircraft will also provide support for other government agencies, including the police, customs, Department of Conservation and Ministry of Fisheries as well as carry out air transport, search and rescue, aero-medical evacuation, disaster response and surveillance and counter terrorism support missions.
Squadron Leader Ron Thacker, A109 Synthetic Flight Instructor, told Rotorhub.com the RNZAF was satisfied with the aircraft's performance to date.
‘This is an excellent aircraft, and we are very satisfied with the aircraft so far,’ Thacker said.
‘A pilot familiar with the Swedish or Malaysian LUHs will be very at home in this aircraft – we have simply specified some extra radio equipment, including a pair of ARC-210s and an RT-5000 for communications with parapublic agencies.’
The RNZAF examined a number of options for the LUH purchase, including the Eurocopter EC135, but the AW109 won over the RNZAF procurement team with its avionics suite, and wheeled landing gear.
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