Era Group Appointed an AgustaWestland Authorized Service Centre in USA

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announces that Era Group (Era) has been appointed an AgustaWestland Authorized Service Centre in Lake Charles (Louisiana, USA) for the range of AgustaWestland commercial helicopters including the AW119Ke single engine, the AW109 Power light twin and the AW139 medium twin models.

Era boasts a large AgustaWestland fleet today including 22 AW119Ke single engine, 7 AW109 Power light twin and 25 AW139 helicopters. Primarily operating in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, the company offers offshore transport, pipeline surveillance and other services, but its aircraft also operate in Mexico, Argentina, India, Thailand and Brazil where part of its AW139 fleet has been is deployed.

AgustaWestland and BAE Systems Sign Agreement For Multi-Purpose Test Bench In Australia

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and BAE Systems have announced plans to establish a helicopter transmission test facility in Australia.

The facility, better known as a Multi-Purpose Test Bench (MPTB), will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has operated its MPTB for more than three decades.

MPTB is a state-of-the-art, high-tech repair and overhaul facility for helicopter transmission systems and flight critical dynamic components.

The Australian Defence Force has actively sought this capability and its establishment will deliver a critical in-country support capability to the ADF which in turn will guarantee a faster turn-around and a cost-effective sustainment solution.

The location of the new facility is yet to be decided, but in line with both companies’ strong commitment to regional development, the new facility will be built in regional Australia. It is expected to be operational by 2014 and attract high-end aviation technical support jobs.

It will also be custom designed to meet the geo-seismic preconditions required to guarantee absolute stability during testing and analysis of gearboxes and transmission systems.

The facility will support the requirements for AIR9000 Phases 2, 4 and 6 and has the potential to support Phases 7 and 8 based on the platform, which is yet to be selected.

Under the agreement, BAE Systems will provide maintenance, engineering, logistics support and administration.