Developed as a joint-venture between Italian Agusta and American Bell , the resulting Bell/Agusta AB139 first flew on February 3, 2001. The first 52 airframes were built by Agusta in Italy. Construction numbers 13 and 17 aircraft were not built (superstition?).
From 2005 it is known as AgustaWestland AW139 after Bell sold its 25% share in the program and in turn increased from 25 to 40% its participation on the BA609 tilt-rotor.
From 2005 it is known as AgustaWestland AW139 after Bell sold its 25% share in the program and in turn increased from 25 to 40% its participation on the BA609 tilt-rotor.
AB139 News |
Celebrating AW139 Helicopter 20th Anniversary
04-Feb-21 - Leonardo celebrates the AW139 helicopter’s 20th anniversary of its 1st flight. In-service since 2004, 1,200 helicopters have been sold to 280 costumers in 70 countries and logged over 3 million flight hours #AW139
200,000 Flight Hours for ERA’ AW139 Fleet
21-Jun-19 - ERA Helicopters celebrating first 200,000 flight hours with its AW139 fleet including 34,000 of them in support of leasing partnerships. Beginning in 2005, Era now operates 36 AW139s mainly for the offshore oil and gas industry #oilandgas
Airgreen AB139/AW139 with Night Vision Lighting
17-Jul-18 - Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) granted EASA certification to install night vision imaging system lighting on AB139 and AW139. First customer is Italian Airgreen #NightVision
First AB139 in EMS Configuration
14-Jun-05 - Bell/Agusta Aerospace exhibited the first AB139 equipped for emergency medical service (EMS) at the Paris Air ShowEvergreen Accepts First Of Three Bell/Agusta AB139 Helicopters
06-Feb-05 - Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company celebrated symbolic handover of the first of three AB139 helicopters ordered by Evergreen Helicopters| 20-Dec-04 | AB139 Achieves FAA Certification |
| 02-Dec-04 | Handover Of The First Aga Khan AB139 |
| 16-Sep-04 | Handover Of The First Namibian AB139 Helicopter |
| 18-Jun-03 | AB139 Achieves Type Certification |
| 20-Dec-02 | AB139 Begins US Certification Flying |
| 14-Feb-02 | Three AB139 Prototypes Flying |
| 07-Nov-01 | Third Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company AB139 Helicopter Takes Flight |
| 04-Jun-01 | Second AB139 Helicopter Takes Flight |
| 03-Feb-01 | Agusta AB139 Helicopter Takes Flight |
| 08-Oct-99 | AB139 at Helitech 1999 |
Derivatives & Versions of AB139 |
| Model | Year | History |
|---|---|---|
 AW AW139 2005 | 2005 | Originally announced at the Farnborough Air Show on 8 Sep 1998, as a joint venture between Agusta and Bell; to complement the Bell 412. A full-sc ...  The AW139 is a medium, twin-engined, multi-role helicopter, having a 5 bladed main rotor driven by 2x 1679 shp Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaf ... The first 52 aircraft were built by Agusta in Italy as the AB139. c/n from 31055 built in Italy c/n from 41001 built in Philadelphia, USA c/ ... |
