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Tag: Agusta

Leonardo lands new helicopter contracts in Latin America at LABACE 2023

August 13, 2023 /

Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 10, 2023 – Leonardo (OTC: FINMY) confirms its leading position in the private helicopter transport market with new contracts in Latin America announced during official ceremonies held at LABACE 2023.

  • A distributor Agreement was signed at LABACE 2023 between Leonardo and Gruppomodena S.A. for the civil market in Uruguay and Argentina including, an order for two AW119Kx and an order for one AW109 GrandNew for a private operator in Brazil
  • Official distributor in Brazil for the AW09 latest generation single engine, Gualter Helicopters signs for three aircraft with private operators
  • Leonardo’s growth continues to leverage the Agusta brand’s exclusive solutions in the VIP/corporate market and through the new Service and Logistic Centre in Itapevi

Gruppomodena S.A. has been appointed official distributor of Leonardo helicopter types including the AW119Kx, AW109 legacy, AW169 and AW139 for the civil markets in Uruguay and Argentina. The distributor has also signed a contract for two AW119Kx single engine helicopters. A major player in Latin America for helicopter services, this partner is also an established operator of AW109 and AW139 helicopters for a range of roles including passenger transport, offshore transport, and rescue as well as an authorised service centre for the reference market. In addition, another private operator has placed an order for one AW109 GrandNew light twin engine helicopter, which will be operated in Brazil. All of these light helicopters announced at LABACE will feature customised VIP interiors and will be used for private/corporate transport in the relevant locations. 

Furthermore, Leonardo’s distributor for the latest generation AW09 single engine model in Brazil, Gualter Helicopters (Aero Service Representação) has signed contracts for three aircraft for executive transport with three different end-users in the country. These latest achievements for the AW09 in Brazil come two months after the appointment of Gualter Helicopters, which had signed preliminary sales contracts for 20 units in March, providing evidence of the already anticipated strong interest from potential operators in acquiring the new type. Acquired three years ago by Leonardo, the AW09 perfectly complements Leonardo’s product range in the Long Light Single segment, introducing an all-new design aircraft to sustain long-term competitive positioning in this weight category. 

With a 45% share over the last ten years, Leonardo is the world leader in the twin-engine VIP/corporate helicopter market including private, charter and VVIP/Government transport services, thanks to the most modern and largest product range. More than 900 Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopters are flying today globally, approximately 25% are based in Latin America. Leonardo is also leveraging the Agusta brand for today’s and future VIP market initiatives. This brand exemplifies the unique combination of best in class performance, latest technology, comfort and Italian style widely recognised in the market for Leonardo’s VIP-configured helicopters, delivering a unique service and flight experience. Moreover, operators benefit from the all new Service and Logistic Centre in Itapevi (São Paulo), which has allowed to further increase the level of quality localised technical assistance over the last two years, with the potential for a future expansion.

U.S. Department of Defense Exercises Options for 36 TH-73A Helicopters

January 2, 2022 /

Leonardo welcomed the announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense to award AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. a $159.4 million USD firm-fixed price modification to the previously awarded contract for the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System. This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of 36 TH-73A helicopters Lot III and initial spares.

In January 2020 Leonardo, through AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract valued at $176 million for the production and delivery of an initial 32 TH-73A helicopters, along with spares, support, dedicated equipment, and specific pilot and maintenance training services.

In November 2020, the second lot of aircraft were ordered through a $171 million contract modification, an additional 36. The lot III brings the total number of aircraft on order to 104. The total requirement is for 130 aircraft. The TH-73A will be used to train the next generation of student aviators from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and is only made at Leonardo’s FAA-certified Part 21 Production Line in Philadelphia, PA.

Click the link below to watch the video!

https://leonardo.canto.global/s/KA76E?viewIndex=0&column=video&id=9r87ussssd53td82qke7v2t90d

Pilot Dead in Manhattan Skyscraper Helicopter Crash

June 10, 2019 /

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A helicopter made a crash landing onto the roof of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper on Monday, killing at least one person and sending a plume of smoke skyward from the top of the building. The person deceased is “presumed” to be the pilot.

The crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m. (1800 GMT) on a rainy, foggy day at the 750-foot (229m) AXA Equitable Center at 787 Seventh Avenue. Dozens of emergency vehicles swarmed the busy area, a few blocks north of Times Square.

The chopper took off from a heliport on Manhattan’s east side and crash-landed on the building 11 minutes later, emergency officials said.

The site is about half a mile from Trump Tower, where U.S. President Donald Trump maintains an apartment. The area has been under a temporary flight restriction since his election in November 2016.

Nathan Hutton, who works in information technology for the French bank BNP Paribas on the 29th floor, said the building shook when the helicopter slammed into the roof.

“It felt like you were just standing there, and someone takes their hand and just shoves you,” he said. “You felt it through the whole building.”

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the aircraft was an Agusta A109E, a twin-engine, lightweight helicopter. The pilot was the only person aboard, and FAA air traffic controllers did not handle the flight, according to the agency.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash, the FAA said.

Melvin Douglas, 50, who was selling umbrellas on the street, said he heard a “rumble” when the helicopter crash landed.

“I didn’t see it, but I felt it,” said Douglas. “Smoke was on top of the building.”

A fire that broke out on the roof was quickly brought under control, the fire department said. The building was evacuated after the crash.

Trump called New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was at the scene soon after the crash, to offer assistance if needed, the governor’s office said.

“Phenomenal job by our GREAT First Responders who are currently on the scene,” Trump said on Twitter after being briefed on the crash. “The Trump Administration stands ready should you need anything at all.”

The AXA Equitable Center was built in 1985 and includes more than 50 floors. A roof helipad is not listed as one of the building’s amenities on its website.

In addition to BNP Paribas, the building houses offices for a number of other corporate tenants, including law firms Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Sidley Austin and investment manager New Mountain Capital. Le Bernardin, one of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants, is also located in the AXA building.

The skyscraper is managed by the Los Angeles-based CommonWealth Partners. Reached by telephone, LeAnn Holsapple, the office manager for CommonWealth, said the company had “no comment at this time.”

Helicopters are a regular sight in the air around Manhattan, and they have occasionally been involved in crashes.

Nearly a month ago, a chopper crashed into the Hudson River in New York City shortly after taking off from Manhattan, injuring two people. A sightseeing helicopter went down in New York City’s East River in March 2018, killing five passengers.

Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Additional reporting by Peter Szekely and Jonathan Allen; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by David Alexander and Bill Rigby

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