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By Daniel Guevarra |
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February 22, 2010
- AgustaWestland announced the Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) for the
AW139 medium twin helicopter has achieved EASA Certification. This
allows the AW139 to fly into known icing conditions with unprecedented
all weather capabilities no other helicopters in its category can claim.
FIPS
Certification, achieved following an intense series of trials performed
in |
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The AW139 FIPS certification campaign has seen
the helicopter flying both into artificial and natural ice,
verifying flight characteristics and system performance. Tests in
artificial icing conditions were performed with the support of a US
Army CH-47 HISS (Helicopter Icing Spray System) simulating ice
clouds.
During trials, the FIPS system has shown outstanding
efficiency in ice protection, allowing the compliance to the stringent
requirements. The AW139 helicopter has also demonstrated excellent
flight performance and ample margins in a wide range of demanding icing
conditions, well in excess of those normally encountered by helicopters
in typical operating environments. The FIPS system is available as an option, and
includes ice detectors, Automatic activation system with manual back up,
electrical power generators, engine intakes protection grids, heated
windshield and blades (main and tail rotor). The FIPS system keeps performance and procedures for Cat.A operations unchanged, and generates no restrictions during IFR operations, therefore expanding the already impressive AW139’s operational flexibility by providing real all-weather capability, as required in a growing number of applications, including offshore, search and rescue/emergency medical service, corporate transport and shuttle service. |
AgustaWestland is
a helicopter design and manufacturing company based in |
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