AgustaWestland's AW139 helicopter is undergoing icing tests as the manufacturer progresses toward limited icing certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency for "cold blade" operations.
The AW139 must be flown into both artificial and natural icing conditions to verify flight characteristics and establish limitations and parameters for safe operation of the helicopter. Icing conditions encountered during testing reflect operational conditions in the North Atlantic, where the AW139 is earmarked for an offshore oilfield support role. The US Army will help complete testing using a specially modified Boeing JCH-47D Chinook icing tanker.
Helicopter ice spray system tests have been completed, and AgustaWestland expects to wrap up natural ice testing by mid-April.
Source: Flight International
