Agusta A.119 Koala

The Agusta A.119 Koala is a civil utility helicopter light single-engined aircraft.

Origin

During the years 1970 Agusta studied a lengthened version of the A.109 for 11 passengers. This apparatus baptized A.119 did not give place to realization and A.119 designation was taken again in August 1994 for another project, always developed starting from the A.109, but intended for the operators privileging the costs of exploitation to the comfort and the flexibility brought by the formula twin-engine. It was thus a helicopter arranged for 8 passengers (pilot included/understood) but monoturbine and resting on a landing gear fixes made up of 2 shoes. The apparatus was characterized by a particularly broad fuselage for a machine from this size, with a volume useful from approximately 30% superior for his concurents. Thus three passengers could take seat side by side, and in medical version, the cabin could receive 2 stretchers and 2 medical assistants.

A rather long development

Two prototypes were built, the first c/n 14001 being used initially for static tests, while the second c/n 14002 took the air in February 1995 with a turbine Turboméca Arriel 1 of prototype 800 ch. Le first joined in-flight tests a little later, the two apparatuses being presented to the Paris airshow in June 1995. Certification was announced for 1997, but Italian certification was obtained only in December 1999, followed in February 2000 by certification FAA. Plusieures reasons were called upon (staff shortage because of a strong push of the sales of A.109E Power, financial problems at Agusta, performances insufficient). What is certain it is that the prototypes were rebuilt in 1998 with a turbine Pratt & Whitney off Canada PT-6B-37, becoming c/n 14003 and c/n 14004, painted respectively in yellow and red. During the summer 1998 Agusta announced to have added up 60 orders for an apparatus sold 1,7 million dollars. The first deliveries began in September 2000, the first specimen being delivered to Linfox, Australian company of logistics (VH-FOX, c/n 14007). The price of the apparatus had already passed to 1,85 million dollars.

Models

A.119 Koala: First version, 61 aircraft built until 2006.
AgustaWestland AW119Ke: Following the agreements make the July 26th 2000 between the Italian group Finmeccanica SpA and English group GKN plc, AgustaWestland was made up the February 12th, 2001, and this new version of the aircraft, appeared in October 2005, was thus indicated AW119Ke ( K oala E nhanced): The rotor was modified, authorizing for a better fuel consumption, the maximum permissible weight increased to 2.850 kg, the increased tanks.

Some operators

Tri-State Careflight, 6 A.119
TexAir Helicopters, 5 A.119
New York City Police Aviation Links: 4 A.119
Era Helicopters, 7 A.119, 8 AW119
Phoenix Organize Aviation Links 1 A.119 and 2 AW119

Sources

R.W. Simpson, Airlife' S Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing (1998).
Michael J.H. Taylor, Jane' S Encyclopedia off Aviation. London: Studio Editions (1989).

External bonds

Internet site of the manufacturer
List of production
of A.119 of the police force of New York City

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