HANGAR TALK


tion technologies are incorporated in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power gener­ ation and distribution systems. Latest technologies include an APU mode capability and touch screen cockpit devices. The AW169 is set to be the most advanced and cost effective heli­ copter in its class for EMS, SAR, law enforcement, passenger and offshore transport and utility missions. 


Fourth Prototype AW169 Performs Its Maiden Flight


AgustaWestland recently announced


that the fourth prototype of the new generation 4.5 ton class light intermedi­ ate AW169 helicopter successfully com­ pleted its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy. During its flight, the aircraft per­ formed as expected, with an assess­ ment of the helicopter’s general han­ dling and basic systems being made. The event is a major milestone for the AW169 program as the last of four pro­ totypes now enter the flight test pro­ gram. The AW169 program is on sched­ ule to achieve civil certification in 2014. The first three AW169 prototypes,


which performed their maiden flights in May, July, and November 2012, have completed more than 150 flight hours to date. The fourth prototype, built in just 71 days, is fully representative of the production configuration. The AW169 is part of AgustaWestland’s family of new gener­ ation helicopters that includes the


18 March 2013


AW139 and AW189 models. These heli­ copters all possess the same high per­ formance flight characteristics and safety features while sharing the same common cockpit concept and design philosophy. This approach will deliver real cost savings in areas such as train­ ing, maintenance and support for oper­ ators having two or three of the models in their fleets. Launched in July 2010, the AW169 has


rapidly found market success, logging orders for more than 70 units so far from customers in North & South America, Asia, Middle East, Europe and Australasia for a wide range of missions including air ambulance, law enforce­ ment, corporate transport, utility and offshore transport. A versatile, new generation twin


engine helicopter, the AW169 has been designed in response to the growing market demand for an aircraft that delivers high performance, meets all the latest safety standards and has multi­role capabilities. It is the first all new helicopter design in its class in decades and the only one that will meet all the latest safety requirements. The AW169 incorporates several new


technology features to provide the highest levels of safety and operational benefits for its customers. New genera­


Absolute Marketing & Communications Adds Aerospace Operations Consultant to Team


Absolute Marketing & Communications


(AM&C ­ absolutemarketing.ca) a full­ service marketing­communications agency specializing in the aerospace sector, announces the addition of Rod Youngberg as the newest member of the Absolute Marketing team, as a Rotary Wing Aviation Consultant. “Rod Youngberg is the president and


chief executive officer of Vortex Aviation Limited; a consulting agency specializing in a variety of aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) disciplines as well as numerous aspects of business start­up, develop­ ment and operations. The addition of Rod to our team as an aerospace con­ sultant greatly enhances our ability to offer business­critical, value­driven services to our clients’’ says Dave McGrath, president and chief strategist for AM&C. McGrath explains that as AM&C


works with aerospace clients to address their marketing and business strategy requirements, he often encounters issues related to mainte­


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