Rotorcraft
Bell/Agusta anticipates a bright future
You might call Heli-Expo 2005 a triumph for Bell/Agusta Aerospace and particularly for the AB139.

You might call Heli-Expo 2005 a triumph for Bell/Agusta Aerospace and particularly for the AB139. In the period covering European certification in 2003, FAA IFR authorization in December and last month’s show, eight AB139s have been handed over to customers, for use in roles ranging from VIP to air ambulance and a wide range of environments. Twenty-six more were ordered in Anaheim last month.

That’s not bad for a model unveiled only in mockup form at the 1999 Paris Air Show. Everybody who flies it praises its maneuverability and versatility, its power margins and flexible payload. Some Bell people acknowledge that it is the most beautiful helicopter they have ever been involved with.

Loading…