AW169 gains EASA certification
Above: The AW169 - the first all new helicopter type in its category in over 30 years - is set to enter service.
AgustaWestland has achieved EASA type certification less than five years after the AW169 programme launch. This achievement has been made possible also due to the strong collaboration between the EASA and AgustaWestland teams. With the AW169, AgustaWestland has responded to market demand for a new generation versatile light-intermediate twin-engine helicopter and has achieved its aim of greatly reducing the time to market, whilst meeting the most stringent operational and safety requirements set by the certification authorities and by the market.
The AW169 4.6 tonne helicopter is the first all new aircraft in its weight category to enter the market in more than 30 years, setting new certification and safety standards and marking the operational readiness of the whole AW Family. The first units will be delivered from the Vergiate final assembly line in Italy. A second AW169 final assembly line is being established at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia plant in the USA.
AgustaWestland’s Yeovil plant in UK plays a key role in the production of rotor blades and the tail rotor transmission system.
The AW169 programme has benefitted from Italian Ministry of Economic Development's and UK Government's support. A Flight Training Device (FTD) and a maintenance training simulator are already operational at AgustaWestland’s Sesto Calende Training Academy in Italy, while a Level D Full Flight Simulator will be available in 2016.
