Specialized Grand Variant To Perform High-Altitude Rescues

AgustaWestland recently unveiled the Da Vinci helicopter to Swiss air-rescue operator REGA during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant. The Da Vinci is a modern top-of-the-range light twin specifically developed from the AgustaWestland Grand to meet REGA's Da Vinci project requirements for a mountain rescue and air-ambulance helicopter.

The Da Vinci project was aimed at selecting a light twin aircraft capable to perform high altitude rescue missions as well as the rapid hospital-to-hospital transfer of severely injured patients and providing them with specialized medical treatment in flight. The customer selected the specifically developed Da Vinci project helicopter in late 2006 following an extensive evaluation process and subsequently placed an order for eleven aircraft plus four options.

"We are proud to have presented this brand new variant to our customer," said Renzo Lunardi, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland. "The development of the Da Vinci is an example of AgustaWestland developing an advanced tailored solution to meet a customer's demanding requirements. We are delighted to continue our long relationship with REGA, one of the world's premier rescue organizations, knowing that the Da Vinci will allow it to perform its mission successfully."

The high-performance Da Vinci features a large cabin, outfitted with a special Emergency Medical Service (EMS) interior developed by REGA and Aerolite.

The Da Vinci helicopter's avionics suite includes a dual duplex four axis digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) with an embedded Flight Management System, 3D Synthetic Vision & Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) embedded into the EFIS, a Radio Management System (RMS) with radio tuning unit for communication and navigation, an Euronav V digital map and an Enhanced Vision System (EVS). The helicopter is also equipped for single pilot VFR operations and a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible cockpit.

The Da Vinci project helicopter is intended as a successor to the A109K2 selected by REGA in 1989.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com, www.rega.ch/en/rega/start_regabereich.aspx?pid=040200000000