Agusta Westland sending top-grade helicopters

Three high-class Agusta Westland whirlybirds will be at Airshow China from Nov 1 to 6. Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment, which since 2013 is the only Chinese distributor of one of world’s top-three helicopter manufacturers, has recently confirmed the exhibit. 

Making its third appearance at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, Sino-US Intercontinental will have an 800 m display area, a sizeable increase over its previous space. “Airshow China is influential and fruitful around the globe; we can’t miss it,” said He Shuping, company executive director and general manager. 

Headquartered in Italy, Agusta Westland has developed more than 10 helicopter models for military and civilian uses. The three it will show in Zhuhai are the AW119, AW139 and AW109. 

AW119 Koala light helicopter is called the “King of Single Engine” and “EC120.” It is widely used in all fields with greater load capacity, and longer cruise range and time among equivalent helicopters, thanks to its three-ton maximum take-off weight and flexibility. It is also applied in emergency medical rescue, as it is the only type of its kind able to accommodate two stretchers in the passenger cabin. Domestic orders this year have exceeded 20 helicopters.  

AW119 light helicopter

AW139 is a world-recognized top luxury helicopter with the best performance at present. A seven-ton twin-engine model, it takes on multiple roles in any weather, such as VIP business transportation, emergency medical aid, marine transport, firefighting, police law enforcement, and homeland security. It has nearly 180 customers in more than 50 countries, such as Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, British Royalty, Ferrari, and police in Beijing, Guangdong, and Zhejiang.

AW139 medium-sized twin-engine helicopter

As for the AW109 lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat, multi-purpose helicopter, it has aerodynamic configuration with low resistance and retractable landing gear. It is able to maintain normal flight in high temperature, high altitude, severe cold, strong breeze, offshore heavy humidity, and high salinity. A lightweight double-engine chopper, it is mainly used by the Royal Air Force for VIP receptions, the helicopter team of Mexico’s president, Bill Gates of Microsoft fame, and the mayor of New York. 

AW109 multi-purpose helicopter [Photos courtesy uheli.com.cn]