Paul Lewis/FORT WORTH
Bell Helicopter and Agusta hope to finalise a manufacturing workshare agreement within 12 months to co-produce the new BA609 civil tiltrotor and AB139 medium helicopter in the USA and Europe.
The two companies are establishing a joint venture structure, following their tie- up announced at last year's Farnborough air show.
"One of the things that we are in the process of developing is workshare that does not duplicate manufacturing. We're one year away from finalising that structure," says Jim Rogers, Bell/Agusta Aerospace managing director. Neither company has officially released details of their respective risk-sharing stakes in either the tiltrotor or 15-seat helicopter programme.
It is understood, however, that Agusta will take a share of around 25% in the BA609, while Bell is to have a reciprocal size of interest in the twin-engined AB139.
Agusta's responsibilities will include developing the BA609's empennage, gearbox and ailerons, along with the planned establishment of a second tiltrotor production line in Italy to serve Europe. Bell says that no decision has been taken yet on a second AB139 line in the USA.
This will be determined by market demand, it says, and its plans will be unveiled at the Paris air show
The maiden flight of the first of four planned BA609 prototypes is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2000, with type certification under the US Federal Aviation Administration's new FAR Part 21 targeted for mid-2002. The joint venture plans to build up to 60 tiltrotors a year, with initial deliveries to come from Bell's new Amarillo, Texas, plant, followed by "a second assembly plant some time after 2002", says Donald Barbour, Bell/Agusta marketing executive director.
Firm commitments for the six- nine/seat machine total 72 from 41 customers in 17 countries. About 46% of the preliminary purchase agreements are with North American customers, 22% from Europe and 17% from the Pacific Rim. Prospective customers for the aircraft range from corporations and private individuals to charter companies and emergency medical service operators.
"I would characterise few of these as speculative," says Barbour, with each customer required to make a $100,000 deposit. Six months after the first BA609 flies and once pricing has been established, buyers will be required to make larger deposit and commit to a delivery position. Bell/Agusta has set a tentative price of $8-10 million in 1996 dollars. "We're continuing with that," says Barbour.
Source: Flight International
