AW189, AgustaWestland challenges the offshore market – VIDEO
After the first commercial flight, the new 8-ton helicopter is made its official debut: here's its story, from its maiden flight in 2011 to EASA certification in early 2014
The AW189 helicopter’ entry to the rotorcraft market marks the division for the helicopter industry. In the past days, the helicopter entered service with Bristow, beginning a new chapter for the class of medium lift helicopters. This market segment, which includes a wide variety of aerial activities, represents a conquerable land for all manufacturers in the world: Airbus Helicopters has chosen the EC175 helicopter as its standard bearer, Bell is investing on technology with the new 525 Relentless helicopter, while the Anglo-Italian company is now ready with the AW189 helicopter.
The story of the AW189 officially began in 2011 during the Paris Air Show. The maiden flight would come later, on December 21st, 2011. Inspired to the military project of the AW149 helicopter, AgustaWestland’s twin-engine medium transport helicopter was designed to ensure a higher range, great efficiency and, most of all, at cheaper prices. In other words, not only does it represent the perfect recipe for oil & gas, but it is also a challenge for all helicopter manufacturers, given the current global economic recession.
THE AW189 ENTERS SERVICE WITH BRISTOW
The AW189 crossed the line on July 21st, 2014, with its first commercial flight. The helicopter, with eight passengers onboard, took off from the air base in Norwich. Destination: Cygnus field, southern North Sea.
The maiden flight was an important one: it has been the first offshore transport for the AW189 (120 miles) and it was successfully carried out toward one of the most promising gas extraction plants in the North Sea, which is expected to spill the first drops of black gold by in the next few months.
In the video: AW189: EASA certification
THE AW189 CHALLENGES THE OFFSHORE MARKET
The real breakthrough of the AW189 helicopter came during the 2012 Farnborough Airshow, when AgustaWestland’s family of next generation helicopter was officially presented to the helicopter industry. The new family of the Anglo-Italian company bodes to cover several market segments with a number of next generation helicopters: the AW139, the AW169, and the largest AW189.
Technically speaking, the project engineers from the company’s facility in Cascina Costa chose a classic approach: the design of the helicopter ideally gathers the legacies of the AW139 and its military twin, the AW149. Underneath its skin, the AW189 is a brand new helicopter.
AW139, AW169, AW189: AGUSTAWESTLAND FAMILY
The term family is partially borrowed from the automotive industry. This is a well-established trend in the automotive industry, and it aims at holding down production and maintenance costs using a modular base for developing models that belong to different market segments.
