Story ID: 
AgustaWestland AW169 Gets Nod from EASA
By: Mark Huber
Caption: AW169s are equipped with a variable speed main rotor, which improves efficiency and reduces the external noise.
Word Count: 175
AgustaWestland received EASA certification for its new AW169 medium twin-engine helicopter on July 15. The 10,140-pound/4.6-metric ton AW169 features a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A fadec-controlled engines (1,000 shp each) and Rockwell Collins glass-panel touchscreen avionics with capabilities that include a four-axis digital automatic flight control system and dual flight management system. It will be approved for single-pilot IFR operations.

AW169s are equipped with a variable speed main rotor, which improves efficiency and reduces external noise, and the helicopter is the first in its category entering the market with electrically actuated retractable landing gear. It is designed to be compatible with the MSG-3 maintenance process. Top cruising speed is 155 knots and maximum range is 431 nm. The 222-cu-ft cabin can accommodate seven to 10 passengers.

The first units will be delivered from AgustaWestland’s plant in Vergiate, Italy, and a second AW169 assembly line will open at the company's Philadelphia facility in the U.S. later this year. AgustaWestland has an order book of more than 150 AW169s.