Augusta Westland AW119

HELIHoMe history 📜 😜 : The A119 designation was first applied to a proposed 11-seat stretched version of the A109 in the 1970s; however this concept did not emerge and no such rotorcraft actually built. The helicopter that was eventually to enter production as the A119 was conceived in 1994, as Agusta was recovering from a period of financial woes that had nearly put the company out of business. In February 1995, the second of two prototypes conducted its first flight. The first prototype was used for static tests. 📝 Civil certification was originally anticipated in 1997, this deadline was missed allegedly due to multiple issues such as personnel problems, the need to concentrate resources on the development of the A109 Power, and further development to increase the aircraft's performance to meet customer expectations. 📘 By way of a solution to the latter concern, the decision was taken to change the A119's powerplant. The prototypes were originally fitted with Turboméca Arriel 2K1 turboshafts, but the ubiquitous Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B was chosen in its place. In 1998, the prototypes were remanufactured with this engine, and assigned new serial numbers. 📚 Certification was now expected by the fourth quarter of that year, but this date slipped to July 1999, and it was eventually December before Italian RAIcertification was awarded. US FAAcertification was awarded in February the following year. Customer deliveries began soon thereafter, the first commercial example was delivered to Australian logistics company Linfox(serial 14007, registration VH-FOX). 📰 In April 2007, the AW119Ke (Kestanding for Koala Enhanced) was formally unveiled at Heli-Expo; changes included modified rotor blade design and a higher rotor rpm, increasing both payload and hot-and-high performance, cabin flexibility was also improved. The fuselages of the AW119 are manufactured by PZL Swidnik of Poland, later a subsidiary of AgustaWestland. Final assembly and other manufacturing activity initially took place at Vergiate, Italy; by the time the improved AW119Ke variant began production, the final assembly line had been transferred from Vergiate to AgustaWestland's facility in Philadelphia, United States. 📜 Since 2009, there has been reports that final assembly of the AW119 is to be transferred to India as a part of a measure to increase sales within that market. In February 2010, it was announced that AgustaWestland and Tata Group were to form a joint venture to produce the AW119 in India; the first Indian-manufactured units were originally planned to commence deliveries in 2011. In October 2015, following two years of deliberation, India's Foreign Investment Promotion Board approved a proposal to locally assemble the AW119Kx in Hyderabad, Telangana; the facility is to be operated by Indian Rotorcraft Ltd (IRL), the joint venture between AgustaWestland and Tata. 🚁 * A119 - designation for the original production version * AW119 - designation for the A119following the merger of Agusta and Westland Helicopters * AW119 Ke - improved version, featuring redesigned rotors, greater payload, and better fuel efficiency. * AW119 KXe - successor to the Kemodel, produced in Philadelphia, USA and Hyderabad, India. ⚒ General characteristics * Crew: 1 pilot * Capacity: 6-7 passengers * Length: 13.01 m (42 ft 8 in) * Rotor diameter: 10.83 m (35 ft 6 in) * Height: 3.77 m (12 ft 4 in) * Disc area: 92.1 m² (991 ft²) * Empty weight: 1,430 kg (3,152 lb) * Loaded weight: kg (lb) * Max. takeoff weight: 2,720 kg (6283 lb) * Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A turboshaft, 747 kW (1,002 hp) Performance * Maximum speed: 267 km/h (166 mph, 152 knots) * Ferry range: 991 km (618 miles, 535 nm) * Service ceiling: 6,096 m (15,000 ft) * Good day, flight, landing and Friday 🌤 😜 * #Helihome #helihomehelihistory #helicopter #leonardohelicopters #agustawestland #agusta #AW119 #history #helihistory #goodday 🚁 💨  

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