Two Helicopter Sales Reported at NBAA Convention

In separate ceremonies at last month’s NBAA Convention, Bell/Agusta announced the sale of a corporate AB139 to American International Group and Eurocopter revealed that the EC 120 on display was bought. The buyer of the EC 120 wasn’t disclosed, but the seller, insurance broker Lance Toland, immediately ordered a new EC 120, this one with air conditioning. AIG, which is scheduled to receive its new corporate-configured helicopter in 2005, currently operates a fleet of business aircraft based at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. More than 80 AB139s are on order, with FAA certification expected in the first quarter of next year.