EASA grants AW189 helicopter type certification
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted the AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter type certification following the completion of the final validation activities of the first fully representative production aircraft.
The first two AW189s in offshore configuration are due for delivery to Bristow Group shortly.
The AW189 was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in June 2011. The now certified AW189 helicopter configuration is fully compliant with the requirements for offshore oil and gas operations and includes equipment kits and avionic features to perform this role. The certified flight envelope for the aircraft enables operators to undertake operations in harsh environments from initial entry into service.
AgustaWestland has established a comprehensive range of support and training services ahead of the aircraft’s introduction to operational service with virtual and ground maintenance trainers and an AW189 Flight Training Device (FTD) qualified by an EASA / ENAC joint team to FTD Level 2 as per CS-FSTD(H). The FTD is located at AgustaWestland’s Training Academy in Sesto Calende, Italy, which also has the first AW189 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) that will become operational soon.
Daniele Romiti, chief executive officer, AgustaWestland, said: ‘EASA certification of the new generation AW189 is a tremendous achievement and marks a major milestone in the development of new generation long range helicopters as well as bringing into service the newest member of our unique family of helicopters.’
The first AW189 final assembly line is located in Vergiate, Italy, with second one being established at AgustaWestland's Yeovil facility in the UK, which will initially build the AW189 helicopters that will be used for the UK's new Search and Rescue service and then to meet the global demand for SAR-configured AW189s.
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