Leonardo announced today that the US helicopter rescue 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 civilian and medical service duties market of emergency (EMS - Emergency Medical Service). It is the first single-engine helicopter after decades capable of fully meeting all the current IFR requirements, allowing pilots to fly in complete safety even with poor visibility and in difficult weather conditions, thanks to the advanced avionics of Genesys Aerosystems and the redundancy of the main ones flight systems. The AW119 with IFR capability adds another option in Leonardo's range of offerings and allows commercial and utility operators to combine high safety and performance standards, in difficult operating conditions, with the low costs typical of a single engine. These advantages are combined with the multiple redundancy of critical systems and the 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 civilian operator of the AW119 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 who need it with the healthcare they need. 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 IF119 certified variant of the AW119 to the civilian market and to be able to do it with an important partner such as Life Link III. Its advanced technology and flight systems they allow rescuers to fly safely in complex situations, while maintaining the large and versatile cabin that distinguishes the AWXNUMX for helicopter rescue missions ".
The AW119 has fully met high standards of operational effectiveness - even in missions that require 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 a special medical interior in the cabin, ensuring full accessibility to the patient's body for the two doctors on board. The latter result confirms the growing success of Leonardo helicopters in the North American helicopter rescue market, which now totals a fleet of 113 units and based on the AW119, AW109, AW169 and AW139 models.
