NZFF

RNZAF’s new helicopter makes its first flight
Wednesday, 17 February 2010, 11:57 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government

RNZAF’s new helicopter makes its first flight

The first of the Air Force’s five new A109 helicopters has taken to the air in Italy.

“This is part of the major renewal of the Air Force,â€￾ Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today. “The A109s are a significant acquisition for the NZDF. This first flight brings them a step closer.â€￾

The A109 Light Utility Helicopter is the replacement for the NZDF’s current training helicopter, the Sioux. It is a major step up, with twin turbine engines, carrying three crew and up to five passengers, and with a winch. The existing Sioux date from the 1950s and are only useful as basic trainers.

The A109s will be used for training NZDF pilots and helicopter crew for the Air Force’s new NH90s and the Navy’s Seasprites. They can also carry out a wide variety of light roles, such as moving small groups, carrying light loads and rescue work with the winch.

“These helicopters will be the basis of training our people for helicopter operations. They will also complement the NH90s and Seasprites in other areas, both military and in support of other agencies,â€￾ Dr Mapp said.

Manufacturer Agusta is scheduled to deliver the first A109 to the Air Force late this year.


http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00217.htm

Interesting
That's nice its gonna be a real show pony for our AF:)

Not wrong - not a bad looking helicopter.

It is a good looking helicopter - looking forward to seeing them in our skies.

Nice news website thanks for showing us

Awesome. I like that they can be operational as well as used for training. It means we really haven't 'lost' a number of helos, we've just gained a few more over two different types.

nice looking chopper

Im pretty happy with the pick of trainer , though the time its taken to make and deliver them is a very long time , watching a doco on the building of a AH longbow we would have had these in a month after the order ..

creator2003 wrote:

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Feb 17 2010, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Im pretty happy with the pick of trainer , though the time its taken to make and deliver them is a very long time , watching a doco on the building of a AH longbow we would have had these in a month after the order ..

Apache's huh? Now there's a proposal for the NZDF

It certainly is a nice looking machine! Can;t wait to "meet" it at a show soon! Omaka next year perhaps?

The big question is - can we get it for FS.......?

Just saw this on Stuff: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3...nce-helicopters

WOW, it looks amazingly good, infact that is going to be my new desktop background.
Can't wait to see one flyover for real