The AgustaWestland GrandNew light twin helicopter has achieved enormous market success in since its launch, less than three months ago. Officially unveiled in February this year it has already logged orders for over 50 units. The GrandNew will be the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision. Deliveries to operators will start in this summer with Vinair of Portugal being the first European customer, while a customer in Brazil will receive the first aircraft in South America this autumn. A dozen aircraft are planned to be delivered worldwide by the end of 2010 with four going to customers in Europe. In addition, Swiss SAR services provider REGA will have a total of eleven Da Vinci helicopters in service by the end of this year. The Da Vinci is a highly customised variant of the GrandNew developed specifically to meet the requirements of REGA.

An evolution of the highly successful Grand helicopter, the GrandNew features the very latest developments in avionics while retaining the outstanding characteristics of the Grand, including its high performance, cabin space, payload, low operating costs, high safety standards and environmental friendliness. The GrandNew features a state-of-the-art avionics package and a new glass cockpit. The new full digital avionic system for single or dual pilot IFR operation incorporates Chelton’s Flight-Logic Synthetic Vision EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) with a FMS (Flight Management System), HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System), HITS (Highway In The Sky) and flight recording embedded functions to deliver ultimate situational awareness and groundbreaking automated flight management capabilities. This package reduces pilot workload and brings significant safety benefits.

The GrandNew is fitted with a four-axis dual duplex digital autopilot coupled with a Flight Director and with a new Radio Management System (RMS) permitting the centralized management of the communication and navigation systems of the helicopter, while the Integrated Display System (IDS) provides aircraft/engine data monitoring, crew alert and maintenance data pages. The GrandNew gives operators new opportunities to exploit rotorcraft capabilities and sets a new standard in the helicopter market. The GrandNew has already received EASA certification while FAA certification is expected to be achieved soon. Equipped with an Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and a Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) for night operations, the GrandNew also meets the latest NTSB/FAA recommendations for EMS operations. Its distinctive characteristics make the GrandNew the ideal platform in its category for corporate/VIP transport, offshore transport, passenger transport, EMS, SAR, harbour pilot shuttle (HPS), coastal patrol and public service applications. Orders for around 290 Grand and GrandNew helicopters have been placed by more than 150 customers in over 30 countries worldwide in order to perform several tasks.

Source and picture: AgustaWestland