Thanks to Eric TOTH for these images of his great machine … Bell B47G2 ( c/n 1968 ) F-GDRV, built earlier in 1957.
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All posts for the month June, 2017
Thanks to Eric TOTH for this great image of the unique Agusta-McDonnel Douglas AMD520N Notar F-HCJL [earlier registered in Italy as I-AGMP] … pictured near Pau, May 2017.
Thanks to Dario COCCO for these images of LN-OXI, the second Leonardo Helicopters AW169 on delivery to Airlift AS … Milan Malpensa Airport tarmac, June 2017.
Bell 206B Jet Ranget III I-SKYW … reasting at Eurotech facility in Caiolo (SO), June 2017.
Thanks to Fabio De NICOLA / Pescara Spotters for this rare image of the Eurocopter BK117C1 African Parks Aviation Inc N13HB … during ferry flight from Germany to Africa, new home for the ex Italian helicopter [I-DENI]. Pescara Airport, June 2017.
SAFRAN PRESS RELEASE – 19 June 2017
Ardiden 3G obtains EASA type certification.
19 June 2017, Le Bourget, International Paris Air Show
Safran Helicopter Engines has received EASA engine type certification for its Ardiden 3G engine, which powers Russian Helicopters’ Ka-62. The helicopter made its official maiden flight on 25 May 2017.
Since its first ground test, the Ardiden 3 maturation and certification campaign has accumulated more than 8500 hours of test. Thanks to this extensive test phase, the Ardiden 3G will demonstrate a high level of maturity at entry into service.
Unveiled in 2010, the Ardiden 3 engine family is the only new-generation 1,700 to 2,000 shaft horse-power engine range designed for the six to nine ton helicopter. In 2011 the 3G variant was selected by Russian Helicopters to power the Ka-62. Another variant, the 3C / WZ16, has also been selected by Chinese manufacturer Avicopter to power its AC352 which made its first flight in December 2016.
“This is a very significant event for the Ka-62 and it is the result of intensive work of the Safran Helicopter Engines Team. EASA certification gives us an opportunity to accelerate the certification of Ka-62 according to international standards and to bring it to the foreign market. Concerning the Russian market, we suppose that in the near future Safran’s engine will be also approved in accordance with the requirements of Federal Air Transport Agency”, commented Andrey Boginsky, Russian Helicopters CEO.
Commented Bruno Even, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, “this first certification is a major milestone in the Ardiden 3 program. The engine is also performing extremely well and represents a major step for the Ka-62 flight test program. We are fully committed to support Russian Helicopters as it approaches entry into service.”
Ardiden 3 engines represent a very effective combination of new and mature technologies, combining exceptional
performance with low operating and maintance costs, with a TBO (Time between overhaul) of 5,000 hours at entry-into-service. Ardiden 3 engines also deliver at least 10 % better fuel consumption over engines operating in the same power range.
Leonardo Helicopters PRESS RELEASE – 19 June 2017
LEONARDO AND SINO-US INTERCONTINENTAL SIGN CONTRACT FOR 17 HELICOPTERS AND STRENGTHEN THE PARTNERSHIP IN THE CHINESE MARKET.
- Contract for 17 helicopters comprising 2 AW119Kx, 10 AW109 Trekker and 5 AW139 models valued in excess of €100 million with deliveries starting this year
- Sino-US Intercontinental becomes the exclusive Leonardo Helicopters distributor for the Chinese civil, commercial and offshore helicopter market (including Hong Kong and Macau)
- Nearly 200 helicopters have been sold in China to date, half of them to Sino-US Intercontinental
Leonardo and Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. announced today a further reinforcement of their strategic cooperation in the Chinese helicopter market. During an official ceremony held at the Paris Air Show, the parties announced the signing of a contract for the purchase of 17 helicopters comprising 2 AW119Kxsingle engine, 10 AW109 Trekker light twin and 5 AW139 intermediate twin engine models. The order is valued in excess of €100 million, with deliveries starting later this year.
The contract was signed in the framework of a Distributorship Agreement renewal, which also foresees the purchase of additional aircraft in the next three years, and makes Sino-US Intercontinental the exclusive distributor for the Chinese civil, commercial and offshore helicopter market (including Hong Kong and Macau). Furthermore, the exclusivity under the Distributorship Agreement will be extended to the entire Chinese helicopter market no later than mid-2019. The parties are also committed to strengthening the level of after-sales service with joint efforts aimed at establishing a completion centre and additional local training services, providing further evidence of the intention of Leonardo to deliver the best level of support to the benefit of the growing helicopter fleet in China.
Sino-US Intercontinental has so far placed orders for nearly 100 helicopters comprising AW119Kx, GrandNew, AW109 Trekker, AW169, AW139 and AW189 and has established the largest EMS (Emergency Medical Service) helicopter programme nationwide in China. The presence of Leonardo in China grows stronger with almost 200 helicopters sold to Chinese customers to date for commercial and public services. The growing fleet is supported by an increased customer support presence, recently enhanced by the opening of a major warehouse facility in Shanghai.
Leonardo Helicopters PRESS RELEASE – 19 June 2017
LCI ORDERS NINE HELICOPTERS AS IT TAKES DELIVERY OF A RECORD SIX UNITS IN A MONTH TIME.
- Contract for nine aircraft comprising AW169, AW139 and AW189 helicopters valued in excess of US$120 million
- LCI is taking delivery of five AW169s and one AW139 from Leonardo this month
- 49 new Leonardo helicopters delivered or on order by LCI to date
Leonardo and Lease Corporation International (LCI), the aviation division of the Libra Group, have today announced an order for an additional nine helicopters. The order is valued at over US$120 million and covers the entire family of new generation helicopters – the AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189. Deliveries will commence this year and continue into 2018.
LCI is already a major customer for Leonardo aircraft, and this latest order adds to its previous orders for the same types, which now total 49. The versatility and efficiency of the AW169, AW139 and AW189 aircraft are proving extremely popular with leading operators across the globe. A record five AW169s and one AW139 are being delivered this month, and being deployed on Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Pilot transfers, Emergency Medical Services, and Training and Utility missions. This clearly demonstrates the diversity and balance of LCI’s lease portfolio and its capacity to grow within all the sectors, including offshore oil and gas.
Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, said: “Today’s order marks just an interim stage in our continued long term fleet development plan. We are seeing a resurgence of demand for modern, cost-effective helicopters across a range of different sectors, and this additional follow-on order underscores our confidence in the market and ensures that LCI has the right size and mix of helicopter fleet to fulfil our customers’ near term requirements. The record number of helicopters we have taken delivery of and placed on lease this month alone is a clear demonstration of the continuing strength and diversity of demand in the helicopter market and in particular that for Leonardo helicopters.”
Michael Platt, Chief Executive Officer of LCI, says: “We are delighted to be expanding our longstanding partnership with Leonardo, whose versatile and innovative aircraft are proving highly popular with the leading helicopter operators we work with across the globe. LCI’s fast-growing fleet is balanced across a diverse range of sectors which now includes HEMS, wind energy, oil and gas, marine pilot transfer, search and rescue, mining and training.”
LCI’s growing fleet of helicopters are on lease to operators worldwide serving a wide range of sectors including emergency medical services, search and rescue, offshore wind power, harbour pilots and training & utility, as well as a small proportion serving oil and gas production. LCI’s helicopter fleet is currently made up of approximately 60 helicopters in service and on order, including the market-leading Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters.
Factory new Leonardo Helicopters AW169 Airlift AS LN-OXH … on delivery to Norway. Milan Malpensa, June 2017.
Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil Elitellina I-RUFA … wearing previous Eliwork full paint scheme. Valbondione (BG), June 2017.