The Leonardo AW139 is a highly versatile twin-engine helicopter, widely utilized for diverse roles like offshore transport and emergency medical services.
Originally known as the AB139, this aircraft represents a collaborative effort in design and modification, notably featuring advanced rotor protection systems.
Currently, the AW139 is a popular choice, with numerous new and used models available for purchase, reflecting its strong market presence and reliability.
Overview of the AW139
The AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW139 emerged from a collaborative design process, initially marketed as the AB139. This medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter quickly gained prominence due to its adaptability and performance capabilities. It serves a broad spectrum of operational needs, excelling in demanding environments.
Its popularity is evidenced by the active market for both new and pre-owned AW139s, with listings readily available through platforms like ASO.com and AvBuyer.com. The helicopter’s design prioritizes versatility, making it a favored choice across various sectors, including commercial and governmental applications.
Key Features and Capabilities
The AW139’s core strength lies in its multi-role capability, effectively serving offshore transportation, emergency medical services, and search and rescue operations. A crucial feature is its advanced rotor protection, utilizing a carbon/Kevlar sandwich structure with a honeycomb core, enhancing safety and durability.
Furthermore, the helicopter boasts sophisticated avionics and instrumentation, supported by comprehensive training programs for pilots and maintenance technicians. Its robust design and readily available parts contribute to its reliability and sustained operational readiness, making it a preferred choice globally.
Technical Specifications of the AW139
The AW139 is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C engines, and detailed specifications cover dimensions, weight, and performance characteristics for varied missions.
Dimensions and Weight
The AW139’s overall length measures approximately 16.34 meters (53.6 ft), while its height reaches 4.69 meters (15.4 ft). The main rotor diameter spans 13.8 meters (45.3 ft), contributing significantly to its lift capabilities.
Empty weight varies depending on configuration, but typically falls around 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs). The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is a substantial 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs), allowing for considerable payload capacity.
These dimensions and weight parameters are crucial for operational planning, particularly regarding landing site requirements and performance calculations.
Engine Specifications (Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C)
The AW139 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, renowned for their reliability and performance. Each engine delivers a maximum shaft horsepower of approximately 1,675 shp (1,250 kW) during takeoff.
These engines feature advanced technologies for efficient fuel consumption and reduced emissions. They are also equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems, enhancing operational safety and simplifying pilot workload.
The PT6C-67C engines contribute significantly to the AW139’s impressive power-to-weight ratio.
Performance Characteristics
The AW139 demonstrates exceptional performance capabilities. Its maximum cruise speed reaches approximately 167 knots (309 km/h, 192 mph), allowing for swift mission completion. The helicopter boasts a range of around 750 nautical miles (1,390 km, 860 mi) with standard fuel tanks.
It exhibits a maximum operating altitude of 28,000 feet (8,500 m), enabling operations in diverse environments. The rate of climb is impressive, reaching over 1,000 feet per minute.
These characteristics make the AW139 a versatile platform for various operational needs.
AW139 Variants and Models
The AW139 family includes standard configurations, enhanced MKII versions with modifications, and large cabin options tailored for specific operational requirements and passenger comfort.
AW139 Standard Configuration
The foundational AW139 model serves as a versatile platform adaptable to numerous missions. It’s a twin-engine helicopter initially developed through collaboration, now produced by Leonardo. This standard version provides a robust and reliable solution for offshore transportation, offering essential capabilities for personnel and cargo movement.
Furthermore, it’s frequently employed in emergency medical services (EMS), demonstrating its adaptability. The core design incorporates features that allow for modifications, paving the way for specialized variants like the MKII. Its initial certification as the AB139 highlights its established pedigree and ongoing development.
AW139 MKII Enhancements
The AW139 MKII represents a significant evolution of the original design, incorporating notable improvements for enhanced performance and capability. Key modifications center around the rotor protection cowling, utilizing a carbon/Kevlar sandwich structure with a honeycomb core for increased durability and safety.
These enhancements contribute to a more robust and reliable aircraft, suitable for demanding operational environments. The MKII builds upon the foundational versatility of the standard AW139, maintaining its adaptability for roles like offshore transport and emergency medical services, while offering increased operational efficiency.
AW139 Large Cabin Configuration
The AW139 offers a spacious cabin, and specific configurations maximize passenger comfort and utility. While details regarding interior layouts aren’t explicitly provided in the source material, the helicopter’s overall versatility suggests adaptable cabin arrangements.
This configuration caters to VIP transport, corporate travel, or applications requiring substantial space for equipment or personnel. The AW139’s popularity in the market, with both new and used models available, indicates a demand for configurations prioritizing cabin volume and passenger experience, alongside its core operational capabilities.
Operational Uses of the AW139
The AW139 excels in diverse roles, including crucial offshore transportation, rapid emergency medical services (EMS), and demanding search and rescue (SAR) operations globally.
Offshore Transportation
The AW139 is a preferred choice for offshore transportation, reliably serving the oil and gas industry with personnel and cargo transport to remote platforms. Its robust design and twin-engine configuration ensure safety and dependability in challenging maritime environments.
Operators value the AW139’s spacious cabin, capable of comfortably accommodating multiple passengers and essential equipment. The helicopter’s performance characteristics, including range and speed, contribute to efficient logistical support for offshore operations.
Furthermore, its advanced avionics and navigation systems enhance operational awareness and safety during flights over water.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
The Leonardo AW139 excels in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) roles, providing rapid transport for critically ill or injured patients. Its spacious interior readily accommodates medical equipment and a full medical team, enabling in-flight treatment.
The helicopter’s speed and range are crucial for reaching patients in remote locations quickly, significantly improving chances of survival. Operators prioritize the AW139’s reliability and performance for time-sensitive medical missions.
Advanced navigation and communication systems further support effective EMS operations, ensuring seamless coordination with hospitals and ground crews.
Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations
The AW139’s capabilities make it a vital asset in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, offering speed, endurance, and versatility. Its twin-engine design enhances safety and reliability during challenging missions, often conducted in adverse weather conditions.
The spacious cabin allows for the transport of rescue teams and equipment, while advanced sensors and navigation systems aid in locating individuals in distress. The helicopter’s performance is critical for rapid response and successful outcomes.
Operators depend on the AW139’s robust construction and dependable performance for demanding SAR tasks.
AW139 Rotor System Details
The AW139 features an advanced rotor system, including a meticulously designed main rotor and a functional tail rotor for precise control and stability during flight.
Main Rotor Design
The AW139’s main rotor is a crucial component, engineered for optimal performance and safety. It utilizes a multi-blade configuration, contributing to enhanced lift and reduced noise levels during operation. The blades themselves incorporate advanced aerodynamic profiles, maximizing efficiency across a wide range of flight conditions.
Furthermore, the rotor head design prioritizes smooth operation and responsiveness, allowing pilots precise control. Integral to the system is the rotor protection cowling, constructed with a carbon/Kevlar sandwich structure and honeycomb core, providing robust protection against potential damage.
Tail Rotor Functionality
The AW139’s tail rotor is essential for counteracting the torque produced by the main rotor, ensuring stable and controlled flight. Its design focuses on delivering effective anti-torque performance while minimizing noise. The tail rotor blades are carefully shaped to maximize thrust and efficiency, contributing to the helicopter’s overall maneuverability.
Like the main rotor, the tail rotor benefits from the protective cowling structure – a carbon/Kevlar sandwich with a honeycomb core – enhancing durability. This design element is a key feature of the AW139 MKII enhancements.
Rotor Protection Cowling (Carbon/Kevlar Sandwich Structure)
The AW139’s rotor protection cowling is a critical safety feature, constructed using a sophisticated carbon/Kevlar sandwich structure incorporating a honeycomb core. This design provides exceptional strength and impact resistance while minimizing weight, crucial for performance. Modifications to this cowling are particularly notable in the AW139 MKII variant, enhancing its protective capabilities.
This advanced construction method safeguards the rotor system from foreign object damage and potential structural failures, contributing significantly to the helicopter’s overall safety profile and operational reliability.
AW139 Electrical Systems
The AW139 features a robust electrical system powering advanced avionics and instrumentation. Studying electrical systems is vital, with resources like flashcards available for technicians.
Electrical Power Generation
The AW139’s electrical power generation relies on a sophisticated system to ensure reliable operation of all onboard systems. This includes critical avionics, instrumentation, and safety features. The helicopter utilizes multiple generators to provide redundancy and maintain power during various flight conditions.
Understanding the intricacies of this power generation is crucial for maintenance personnel, necessitating specialized training and certification. Resources, such as detailed study materials, are essential for technicians to effectively troubleshoot and maintain the electrical infrastructure. Proper functioning is paramount for safe and efficient flight operations.
Avionics and Instrumentation
The AW139 boasts a cutting-edge avionics suite and comprehensive instrumentation, providing pilots with crucial flight data and situational awareness. This advanced system supports all phases of flight, from pre-flight checks to landing procedures. Detailed understanding of these systems is vital for pilot training programs and ongoing proficiency.
Effective troubleshooting of the avionics requires specialized knowledge, often accessed through detailed study guides and flashcards. Maintaining optimal performance of these components is paramount for ensuring safe and reliable helicopter operations in diverse environments.
Electrical System Troubleshooting
Effective troubleshooting of the AW139’s electrical systems demands a systematic approach and thorough understanding of its complex architecture. Maintenance technicians require specialized certification to diagnose and repair electrical faults, ensuring continued airworthiness. Utilizing detailed schematics and diagnostic tools is crucial for pinpointing issues efficiently.
Common problems can range from power generation failures to instrumentation malfunctions. Studying electrical flashcards and referencing detailed manuals aids in rapid identification and resolution, minimizing downtime and maximizing operational readiness. Safety protocols must always be prioritized during these procedures.
AW139 Maintenance and Inspection
Regular maintenance checks are vital for AW139 reliability, encompassing scheduled inspections and component replacements to uphold safety and operational performance standards.
Scheduled Maintenance Checks
AW139 maintenance follows a rigorous schedule, dictated by flight hours or calendar time, whichever comes first. These checks range from simple visual inspections to comprehensive component overhauls.
Routine tasks include fluid level checks, filter replacements, and detailed examination of critical systems like the rotor head and engines.
More extensive inspections, performed at specified intervals, involve non-destructive testing, lubrication, and adjustments to ensure continued airworthiness.
Adherence to the maintenance program is paramount for safety and regulatory compliance, maximizing the helicopter’s operational lifespan and reliability.
Component Replacement Procedures
AW139 component replacement demands strict adherence to Leonardo’s detailed maintenance manuals. Procedures involve precise removal, inspection of mating surfaces, and careful installation of new parts.
Technicians utilize specialized tools and torque specifications to guarantee proper functionality and prevent future failures.
Critical components, like engine modules or rotor blades, often require extensive documentation and sign-off by certified personnel.
Proper component tracking and record-keeping are essential for maintaining the helicopter’s airworthiness and ensuring traceability throughout its service life.
Inspection Intervals and Requirements
AW139 inspections follow a tiered schedule, encompassing daily, weekly, monthly, and phased maintenance checks. These intervals are dictated by flight hours and calendar time, ensuring proactive identification of potential issues.
Requirements range from visual inspections for cracks and corrosion to detailed borescope examinations of engine components.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, like ultrasonic and eddy current, are frequently employed to detect hidden flaws.
Strict adherence to Leonardo’s maintenance program is crucial for maintaining airworthiness and operational safety.
AW139 Market and Sales Information
The AW139 demonstrates robust market activity, with both new and pre-owned aircraft readily available through various brokers and platforms like ASO.com and AvBuyer.com.
New and Used AW139 Availability
The AW139 helicopter enjoys a consistently active market, presenting buyers with a diverse selection of both new and pre-owned options. Platforms such as ASO.com showcase a comprehensive listing of Agusta AB139/AW139 turbine helicopters, facilitating price and specification comparisons.
Availability fluctuates based on configuration and age, but generally, a substantial number of aircraft are available globally. Prospective buyers can explore options ranging from recently manufactured models to those with accumulated flight hours, catering to varied budgetary constraints and operational needs. Dealers and brokers actively trade these helicopters, ensuring a dynamic supply.
AW139 Pricing Trends
AW139 helicopter pricing is influenced by several key factors, including aircraft age, total flight hours, configuration, and avionics packages. AvBuyer.com provides current pricing data, allowing potential purchasers to assess market values. Generally, newer models with low flight hours command premium prices.
Used AW139s exhibit a wider price range, dependent on maintenance records and overall condition. Market analysis indicates consistent demand, supporting relatively stable pricing, though economic conditions can introduce fluctuations. Recent trends suggest a strong resale value, reflecting the helicopter’s reliability and versatility.
Market Insights and Analysis
The AW139 helicopter market demonstrates robust activity, driven by consistent demand across multiple sectors – offshore, EMS, and SAR. ASO.com lists numerous available aircraft, showcasing a competitive sales environment. Leonardo’s reputation for quality and performance contributes to strong resale values.
Analysis reveals a preference for well-maintained models with updated avionics. Geographic demand varies, with significant activity in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Overall, the AW139 maintains a leading position in the medium-twin helicopter segment, indicating a positive market outlook.
Safety Features of the AW139
The AW139 incorporates advanced crashworthiness design, emergency floatation systems, and comprehensive fire protection, ensuring maximum passenger and crew safety during operations;
Crashworthiness Design
The AW139’s crashworthiness features are meticulously engineered to maximize survivability in the unlikely event of an accident. The airframe incorporates energy-absorbing structures, strategically designed to deform and dissipate impact forces, protecting occupants.
Reinforced cabin structures, specialized seating arrangements, and fuel system integrity are key components. These elements work in concert to minimize the transmission of impact energy to the passenger compartment.
Furthermore, the design considers various impact scenarios, ensuring a robust safety envelope for all flight phases. This holistic approach to crashworthiness is a cornerstone of the AW139’s safety record.
Emergency Floatation Systems
The AW139 is equipped with highly effective emergency floatation systems, crucial for operations over water. These systems rapidly deploy inflatable floats upon impact with the surface, providing essential buoyancy and stability.
The floats are designed to self-inflate, ensuring quick activation even in compromised conditions. They are strategically positioned to maintain the helicopter in a stable, upright orientation, facilitating occupant egress and rescue efforts.
Regular inspections and maintenance of these systems are paramount, guaranteeing their readiness for immediate deployment when needed, enhancing overall operational safety.
Fire Protection Systems
The AW139 incorporates comprehensive fire protection systems to mitigate risks within the engine and auxiliary power unit compartments. These systems utilize a combination of fire detection and suppression technologies, ensuring rapid response to potential incidents.
Automatic fire extinguishers are strategically placed to quickly contain and extinguish fires, minimizing damage and protecting critical components. Furthermore, the aircraft features robust fire-resistant materials throughout its construction, enhancing overall safety.
Regular inspections and testing of these systems are vital, guaranteeing their operational effectiveness and contributing to the AW139’s exceptional safety record.
AW139 Training and Certification
Comprehensive training programs are available for AW139 pilots and maintenance technicians, ensuring proficiency and safety. Flight simulator training further enhances preparedness.
Pilot Training Programs
AW139 pilot training is a rigorous process, encompassing both theoretical knowledge and extensive flight hours. Programs typically begin with ground school, covering helicopter aerodynamics, systems, and emergency procedures.
Simulator sessions are crucial for mastering normal and abnormal operations, including autorotations and system failures, in a safe environment.
Following simulator training, pilots progress to live flight instruction, focusing on precision handling, navigation, and mission-specific tasks.
Certification requires successful completion of written and practical exams, demonstrating competency in all aspects of AW139 operation.
Maintenance Technician Certification
AW139 maintenance technician certification demands a comprehensive understanding of the helicopter’s complex systems. Training programs cover detailed component inspections, scheduled maintenance checks, and troubleshooting procedures.
Technicians learn to interpret technical manuals, utilize specialized tools, and adhere to strict safety regulations.
Certification typically involves classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and rigorous testing, ensuring proficiency in all maintenance tasks.
Ongoing training is essential to stay current with upgrades and modifications, maintaining the AW139’s airworthiness and operational reliability.
Flight Simulator Training
AW139 flight simulator training provides pilots with a realistic and safe environment to master aircraft handling and emergency procedures. These advanced simulators replicate the cockpit environment, offering accurate flight dynamics and system responses.
Pilots practice various scenarios, including offshore approaches, EMS operations, and search and rescue missions, enhancing their decision-making skills.
Simulator sessions cover normal and abnormal procedures, allowing pilots to refine their techniques and build confidence. Regular simulator training is crucial for maintaining proficiency and preparedness.
Future Developments and Upgrades
Ongoing development focuses on potential engine improvements, advanced avionics enhancements, and aerodynamic refinements to further boost the AW139’s performance and capabilities.
Potential Engine Upgrades
Exploring advanced powerplant options remains a key focus for Leonardo regarding the AW139. While the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C engines currently provide robust performance, investigations into newer, more fuel-efficient turbine technologies are underway. These potential upgrades aim to increase power output, reduce operating costs, and enhance the helicopter’s overall environmental footprint.
Specifically, research centers on improved power-to-weight ratios and reduced maintenance intervals. Any future engine integration would require extensive testing and certification to ensure seamless compatibility with the AW139’s existing systems and maintain its stringent safety standards. The goal is to extend the aircraft’s operational range and payload capacity.
Avionics Enhancements
Continuous improvement of the AW139’s avionics suite is a priority for Leonardo. Future enhancements will likely focus on integrating more advanced flight management systems, improved situational awareness displays, and enhanced communication capabilities. This includes exploring synthetic vision systems and advanced autopilot functionalities to reduce pilot workload and improve safety.
Potential upgrades also encompass more sophisticated navigation tools and data link technologies. These advancements aim to provide pilots with real-time information, enabling more precise and efficient flight operations, particularly in challenging weather conditions or complex airspace environments. Certification and seamless integration are crucial aspects of these developments.
Aerodynamic Improvements
Leonardo is actively investigating aerodynamic refinements for the AW139 to further enhance its performance and efficiency. These potential improvements center around optimizing rotor blade design, exploring new airfoil shapes, and reducing drag across the aircraft’s fuselage. Modifications to the rotor protection cowling, utilizing advanced carbon/Kevlar sandwich structures with honeycomb cores, are also under consideration.
Such enhancements aim to increase lift capacity, improve fuel consumption, and extend the helicopter’s range. Computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing are key components of this development process, ensuring any changes maintain the AW139’s exceptional stability and handling characteristics.