Bell/Agusta Aerospace (BAAC) has received Italian certification for the AB139 twin-engined utility helicopter, after a 1,600h ground and flight-test programme. The first Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C-powered aircraft will be delivered to an Italian customer this year. BAAC says it has a two-year order backlog for the AB139, which is aimed at offshore, corporate, VIP, emergency medical services and law enforcement markets.
Source: Flight International
Airbus Helicopters and partner PHI Aviation will shortly begin route-proving trials with the former’s H160 medium-twin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Piasecki Aircraft has secured new work for its ‘Heliplex’ facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, signing a collaboration agreement with Columbia Helicopters to upgrade Model 107 tandem-rotor helicopters to a new more fuel-efficient standard.
MD Helicopters has promoted Ryan Weeks to the role of president, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rotorcraft manufacturer.
