Helikopter - AW189 går offshore

EASA Certifies AW189 as Deliveries Begin with Bristow

By Andrew Drwiega, International Bureau Chief

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the AgustaWestland AW189. First deliveries are expected shortly, perhaps as early as this week with Bristow Helicopters anticipating the first at their Norwich base for operations on oil rig support in the southern North Sea. The Bristow helicopter (show in image) is serial 49007 and is seen here in full colors with the British registration covered over and an Italian test registration applied temporarily in place.


Bristow AW189. Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland

The AW189 will be one of the helicopters on display at Heli-Expo, which AgustaWestland is intent on making a “family show” with the AW169 and AW139. In early February, Rotor & Wing had an exclusive tour of AgustaWestland’s Cascina Costa facility and saw two of the three real aircraft – an AW189 and an AW169 – getting finishing touches put on before being released to attend the annual helicopter extravaganza.
CEO Daniele Romiti revealed that as well as the three family aircraft on display, there would be at least one additional surprise at the event.
During the visit to Cascina Costa, AgustaWestland also detailed the results of its focus on improving the AW609 since taking sole ownership of the aircraft from Bell Helicopter in summer 2009. Clive Scott, AW609 program manager, said that through various designs the aircraft’s drag has been reduced by 10 percent, and by the end of the year they will have added 400 hours of test flying since taking over the program. The company now has more than 100 full time staff dedicated to the AW169 in Italy.
Romiti hinted that AgustaWestland’s new internal campaign – Think Customer – will be one of the organization’s unique value propositions for the future. Expect this to be a main theme at Heli-Expo!