AW169 Makes First Flight

Bethany Whitfield

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 12:24 AM ET

Verified

AW169 during its first flight last week

Key Takeaways:

The AgustaWestland AW169 successfully completed its first flight, a significant milestone toward its planned 2014 certification.
This new light 4.5-ton helicopter aims to fill a market niche, complementing the company's AW139 and future AW189 models.
The AW169 has already secured over 50 orders and is anticipated for roles including emergency transport, offshore missions, and law enforcement.

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AgustaWestland’s AW169 took to the skies for the first time last week, marking a significant milestone on its path to certification in 2014, the company announced.

According to AgustaWestland representatives, the AW169 – launched nearly two years ago at the Farnborough International Air Show – performed and handled “as expected” during the test flight at the company’s Italian facilities.