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Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
and most luxurious boats with information, interviews, technical
articles, images and yachting news
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AW 139
"Superyacht," in its last edition wrote about a medium-small helicopter, this month the subject matter will focus on a medium-large one. It is must therefore be clear that we refer to its use on a large super yacht. The W139 manufactured by Agusta-Westland, a company belonging to the Italian Finmeccanica Group substitutes the previous model known as the "AB, 139." The "AB" in this case stood for Agusta- Bell. The AW 139 is produced in four standard versions respectively for: medical and rescue purposes, armed forces, offshore and passenger transport. In the latter version the AW 139 can seat as many as 15 passengers plus a pilot. The "Corporate" type, instead, is geared for business purposes with an extremely comfortable seating range from 4 to 12 passengers excluding the pilots. The 3.5 cubic metre luggage compartment, the largest of its class, amply caters for its passengers' needs, especially in the 4 to 8 passenger version. The luggage sector can be reached from the cabin, and from the sides when the helicopter is grounded. The AW 139 is 16.6 metres long with an overall height of 5 metres with a maximum useful load of 2.730 kilos and a maximum take-off load of 6.4 tons.
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A state-of-the-art, five bladed rotor with a diameter of 13.8 metres
propelled by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turbo charged engines
delivering 3,350 HP at the shaft that allow it to fly at 167
knots or at 309 kph even in high and hot conditions thanks to
its high play load. Full-authority digital engine controls
(FADEC) and the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system,
featuring a four-axis digital autopilot and four large area
flat-panel cockpit displays, add to its safety. In fact this
model's strong point is its ability to fly in conditions
considered before as being too taxing for passenger helicopters.
Particular care was taken in reducing components which were
subject to frequent changes thus reducing operational costs and
maintenance hours. Both the main five bladed rotor as well as
the four bladed one in the stern are high off the ground adding
to passengers' safety while embarking and disembarking.
The AW139 must also be noted for its in flight low noise factor
as for its upholstery and six panoramic windows ensuring greater
comfort on board. Agusta-Westland counts on this twin turbine's
features and its Class A category to attract more VIPs. The
class 1 standard implies that the helicopter can carry out every
manoeuvre, with few operative limits, including a forced landing
with only a single turbine. It also has a long 5 hour range
which covers 570 miles or 1000 kms.
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