Leonardo Helicopters Upgrades Helicopter Tailplanes, AW169 Avionics


Leonardo Helicopters told Rotor Pro about two main innovations it is working on. The first is Leonardo’s Origami project. According to a company spokesperson, Origami is a helicopter tailplane design that employs aerodynamic tips to improve performance at both high and low speeds, while significantly increasing stability. “Designed as a retrofit kit, it aims to replace conventional tips and, at the same time, preserve the main body of the tailplane,” the spokesperson said. “A key element of the design is that the new concept may be applied to several helicopters, avoiding a complete redesign of the tailplane.” The Origami upgrade has received EASA certification, and is now part of the model AW169


standard configuration together with an airflow deflector added on the right side of the tail boom.


The second innovation is the latest AW169 Phase 7/8 core avionics software release and performance increase package, boosting this helicopter’s engine shaft horsepower. “All of those certified upgrades provide increased payload in several operational conditions, such as in hot-and-high and sea level scenarios, delivering greater performance and making the AW169 the helicopter model with the best power-to-weight ratio in its class,” the spokesperson said.


72


Nov/Dec 2022


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83