The AW119 helicopter with IFR certification helicopter brings more safety to the civilian market in all weather conditions
Leonardo announced today that the US helicopter operator Life Link III has ordered an AW119 helicopter equipped with the American FAA IFR (Federal Aviation Administration, Instrument Flight Rules) certification that allows it to operate according to the rules of instrument flight. The contract also provides for the option to purchase a second unit in the future. The new helicopter will join the existing fleet of ten AW119Kx used for emergency medical transportation in Minnesota and Wisconsin with over 21.000 flight hours accumulated. Delivery from the final assembly line of the AW119, based in Philadelphia, is scheduled for the third quarter of 2021.
The contract marks the first sale of an AW119, with IFR certification issued by the FAA, in the civil and emergency medical service (EMS) market. It is the first single-engine helicopter in decades to fully meet all current IFR requirements, allowing pilots to fly safely even in poor visibility and in difficult weather conditions, thanks to Genesys Aerosystems' advanced avionics and the redundancy of the main flight systems. The AW119 with IFR capability adds another option to Leonardo's range of offerings and allows commercial operators and those providing public utility services to combine high safety and performance standards, in difficult operating conditions, with the low costs typical of a single-engine. These benefits combine with the multiple redundancy of critical systems and cabin space typical of twin engines, offering exceptional reliability and safety.
Steve Sterner, Chief Executive Officer of Life Link III, said, “Our decision to become the first IFR-certified AW119 civilian operator is fully consistent with our mission to provide a safe and effective helicopter rescue service. Advanced avionics
and the technology of this helicopter increases our ability to provide those in need with the necessary health care. With high levels of performance, safety, speed and efficiency, this helicopter is suited to meet the needs of our crews and patients ”.
William Hunt, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Philadelphia, commented: “We are proud to introduce the IFR certified variant of the AW119 to the civilian market and to be able to do so with an important partner such as Life Link III. Its advanced technology and flight systems allow rescuers to fly safely in complex situations, while maintaining the large and versatile cabin that distinguishes the AW119 for helicopter rescue missions ”.
The AW119 has fully met high standards of operational effectiveness - even in missions requiring night flight capabilities - since the first helicopter was delivered to Life Link III in early 2014. Life Link III's AW119 IFR will be equipped of a special medical interior in the cabin, ensuring full accessibility to the patient's body for the two doctors on board. This latest result confirms the growing success of Leonardo helicopters in the North American helicopter rescue market, which now amounts to a fleet of 113 units and based on the AW119, AW109, AW169 and AW139 models.
Insights
HELICOPTER AW119
Built in Leonardo's Philadelphia plant, the AW119 is the best single-engine helicopter in its category, equipped with state-of-the-art avionics capable of allowing full control of the operational situation for the crew, ensuring maximum mission effectiveness and safety. in flight thanks to the navigation and mission systems, the power margins, the redundancy of the main systems and the structural strength. The AW119 is perfectly suited to perform a variety of tasks including helicopter rescue, utility, fire fighting, public order, passenger transport, training and government / military duties. Over 350 AW119 helicopters have been sold to more than 130 customers in 40 countries. A variant of the AW119 was selected by the United States Navy in January 2020 to train the country's next generation of naval pilots.
LIFE LINKIII
Life Link III operates eight helicopter bases which include Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing and Willmar, Minnesota, and Marshfield and Rice Lake, Wisconsin. A new location is planned in Rush City, Minnesota, operational in August 2020. The company's helicopter and air services provide effective medical transportation services. Life Link III medical transport services ensure compliance with the highest quality and safety standards. Life Link III is a non-profit consortium comprised of the following organizations: Allina Health, CentraCare Health, Children's Minnesota, Essentia Health, Fairview Health Services, Regions Hospital / HealthPartners®, Hennepin Healthcare, Marshfield Clinic Health System, St. Life Link III's AW119 has accumulated over 21.000 flight hours. For more information, please visit: www.lifelinkiii.com.