Helicopter - Limited icing certificated for the AW189 - Avionics & R&W

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EASA Certifies Limited Ice Protection for AW189

EASA has certified a limited ice protection system for the AW189 as AgustaWestland works toward making the super medium twin suitable for operations in the most adverse and harsh environmental conditions. Certification of the system, which does not require heated rotor blades and associated equipment, permits the AW189 to fly "within a known and defined envelope of icing conditions," provided that it can "descend into a known band of positive temperature" and can do so "throughout the intended route." Such conditions are typical over the North Sea, AgustaWestland said, and the newly certified system "is optimal for flight in limited icing conditions for operations such as offshore and passenger transport as well as search and rescue." The limited ice protection system is available as an option; an AW189 equipped with the system retains the performance and procedures for Category A operations, the manufacturer said. An engine air intake heating system is standard on the AW189.