AgustaWestland believes its light twin-engined AW169 can grab a sizeable share of the VIP and corporate transport market as the type advances towards planned certification in 2014.
Four prototype aircraft are flying and the airframer recently moved one of its test fleet to its Arlington, Texas site to conduct hot and high trials.
The manufacturer says the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210-powered type has already gained about 40 orders, with a number coming from VIP clients, particularly in Latin America.
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"It has been very successful, even though it's still in development," says AgustaWestland. "In the 4.5t class it is an ideal solution to replace ageing platforms in the same category."
The airframer is showing a full-scale cabin mock-up of the AW169 at EBACE, with the interior designed by Mecaer Aviation Group. AgustaWestland stresses that the new aircraft's similarity to its larger AW139 sibling is another advantage for operators, reducing pilot transition training by 40%. It also claims 30% component commonality between the two helicopters, which will cut maintenance costs.
The company unveiled a further order at EBACE for a corporate AW139 from a private client, which will operate the helicopter in the UK and Ireland.
Meanwhile, its AW189 is advancing towards certification in the third quarter of 2013. The first pre-production example recently rolled off the production line, with a second to follow "shortly", which AgustaWestland says will be used to develop mission systems.
These join four flight-test prototypes, one of which recently returned from the USA having completed hot and high and icing trials in Texas and Alaska respectively.
Although AgustaWestland will look to introduce a VIP variant of the aircraft at a later date, it is concentrating on the offshore and search and rescue markets with its initial deliveries. "That is the priority for us at the moment," it says.
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Source: Flight Daily News
