Fin

The helicopter division of Italy-based aerospace group Finmeccanica has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US helicopter operator Era Group to develop an air ambulance variant of the AgustaWestland AW609 tiltrotor.

Under the deal, both the companies will also provide training to customers.

The development is considered to be an important step towards developing the world’s first civil tiltrotor, which combines the versatile characters of a helicopter and the performance of an airplane.

Around 60 AW609s have currently been sold to customers worldwide for applications such as aid, patrolling, offshore and passenger transport.

"The development is considered to be an important step towards developing the world’s first civil tiltrotor."

Meanwhile, Finmeccanica has signed three-year contracts to provide a total of 2,900 simulated hours with offshore operators in the Middle East and Australasia, who are employing AW109 and AW139 helicopter models in their respective regional areas.

Last January, the helicopter division of Finmeccanica received an €80m order for a total of 26 helicopters from Sino-US Intercontinental in China and Shizuoka Air Commuter in Japan.

Sino-US Intercontinental ordered 25 AgustaWestland AW119Kx helicopters and a support and training package. Deliveries are scheduled from June.

Shizuoka Air Commuter bought an additional GrandNew helicopter air ambulance variant to be operated in the country’s Niigata Prefecture region. The aircraft is expected to enter service this year.

Image: Around 60 AW609 have been sold to customers across the globe. Photo: courtesy of Finmeccanica.