Thu, Mar 05, 2009
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.
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