Louis Bartolotta takes up the reins as managing director of Bell/Agusta Aerospace (BAAC) in the week of Paris, as the US-European joint venture pushes ahead with development of the BA609 civil tilt-rotor and AB139 twin helicopter.
Bartolotta was formerly vice president of marketing for AgustaWestland, based in Cascina Costa, Italy. His appointment comes as the Anglo-Italian manufacturer seeks to increase to 50% its stake in BAAC in a bid to reflect the parity of work on the two rotary programmes.
Over the past three decades Bartolotta has been actively involved in virtually every aspect of the helicopter industry. Qualified as a US Army aviator, he served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), and received the Bronze Star and Air Medal, among other decorations.
Bartolotta has a BA in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has a CAA ATPL (helicopters) as well as an FAA airline transport rating, rotorcraft (helicopters), FAA Commercial multi-engine license; instrument rating, FAA certified flight instructor (helicopter) with 5,500h of flight time.
Source: Flight Daily News
