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NEWS | EH101 / AW101 in UK AgustaWestland UK

AW101 High-Altitude Trials in USA

Leonardo UK team completed high-altitude trials in Colorado, USA of a Norwegian AW101 helicopter

The helicopter returned crossing the Atlantic on a self-ferry back to Leonardo in Yeovil, UK, via Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Scotland





AW101 High-Altitude Trials in USA
Leonardo, October 20, 2022 - A cross-departmental team from Leonardo in Yeovil has successfully undertaken high-altitude trials, which were completed on schedule with the Norwegian AW101 helicopter in the U.S.

The aircraft completed its 21-day trial plan in just 16 days.

The AW101 Performance Improvement Program certifies increased engine power and raises the main gear box (MGB) torque rating to 117%.

The aircraft was put through its paces in Colorado at Buena Vista and Leadville, which is 1 mile above sea level, to expand the high-altitude element of the take-off and landing envelope that will contribute to the overall 117% capability.

The testing at the high-altitude locations demonstrated safe landing and recovery techniques in the event of an engine failure, which pushed the aircraft’s capabilities to a certifiable-solution status. Power consumption testing future-proofed the aircraft for impending certification requirements.

Leonardo customer engineers, known as Field Service Representatives (FSR) – led by Mark Davies, rebuilt the Norwegian AW101-612 All-Weather Search and Rescue (AWSAR) helicopter on the East coast of America, in Baltimore, after it was shipped to the U.S. by sea.

The Leonardo aircrew, comprised of Richard Parkes, flight test engineer, and test pilots Matt Grindon and Nick Wharmby, then flew 1,600 miles west across the U.S. to the world’s highest airports for the handling, performance, and certification testing in Buena Vista and Leadville.

The aircrew then optimized the test scope and sequencing against the weather to exceed the plan. Nick Wharmby, Test Pilot at Leonardo Helicopters UK, commented, “the aircraft’s inherent capability and equipment fit, coupled with superb work from the FSR team meant the transit went exactly as planned.”

Leonardo aircraft performance and handling engineers, Jonathan Lane, Jennifer Miles, and Harry Thompson supported the data capture of all test points. Demonstrations to team members from the Italian Secretariat General of Defense and National Armaments Directorate validated the aircraft’s expanded capabilities.

Material, logistical, and shipping support from Leonardo in Yeovil, including hand-carry volunteers, like Sophie Furniss, avoided losing a single day’s flying, and ensured an exceptional 100% aircraft availability.

Kristian Daines, AW101 performance improvement program manager at Leonardo Helicopters UK, said, “The testing ran to plan from day one, an astounding success for the teams in Colorado and Yeovil, and a phenomenal execution by all who made it happen.”

The aircraft then went on a self-ferry back to Leonardo in Yeovil, UK, via Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Scotland. The Norwegian AW101 NAWSAR helicopter will then continue its journey at the end of year for delivery to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.


helicopter
Aircraft mentioned in this article :
AW101 612 0265     ( AgustaWestland UK )

  Comments


Amazing achievement. 700m toyed with the idea of a similar transit route from UK to AUTEC in 2004 but opted to be safe in end and go with RORO.
All that stress and planning finally come together! Well done to the team!
I followed these test in Leadville Colorado a long time ago, beautiful experience I miss these moments
Well done!!


  See also


EH101 / AW101 in UK AgustaWestland UK
AW101 SAR Queen in NO Luftforsvaret
AW101 in North Atlantic Crossing





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