AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the sale of a GrandNew light twin engine helicopter to Sampoerna (PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk.) which will be used for the transport of VIPs and many levels of management throughout Indonesia from Sumatra, through Java, to Sumbawa, Flores and Sulawesi. The helicopter was ordered earlier this year and is set to be delivered later this month. This will be the second GrandNew to be delivered to an Indonesian customer this year.

Emilio Dalmasso, Senior VP Commercial Business, AgustaWestland said “Indonesia is an important and growing market for AgustaWestland so we are delighted that Sampoerna, after detailed evaluation, selected the GrandNew for its corporate transport requirements. The GrandNew is undoubtedly the most advanced helicopter in its class with its advanced avionics system providing operators with enhanced capabilities and flight safety features.”

Vincenzo Alaimo, Head of Region – South East Asia, AgustaWestland added “With its class beating cruise speed of 157 knots, range of more than 400 nautical miles and a luxurious cabin the GrandNew is the ideal helicopter for corporate transport operations -  it also keeps the accountants happy due to its low operating costs compared to other helicopters.”

The GrandNew features a new state-of-the-art full digital glass cockpit while retaining the Grand’s outstanding performance and features. To enhance safety and maximise operational capabilities the  GrandNew is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision. It is also the first helicopter in this class on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations. A four-axis digital dual-duplex autopilot/flight director also helps to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety, especially when operating in demanding weather conditions.

With the highest power-to-weight ratio of any helicopter in its class the GrandNew is able to perform VTOL Cat A operations up to ISA+20 (35C at Sea Level) without any payload reduction, making it more capable than many larger helicopters when operating in high temperature conditions.

The GrandNew’s “cocoon-type” composite fuselage provides high levels of protection and is fitted with crashworthy seats and fuel system. Additionally high levels of system redundancy, meeting or exceeding the latest certification requirements, are incorporated into the design.

Orders for over 300 helicopters from the Grand series have been placed by more than 180 customers in 35 countries worldwide to perform many tasks including VIP/corporate transport, passenger transport, emergency medical transport, search and rescue, harbour pilot shuttle, Electronic News Gathering (ENG), maritime patrol and water pollution monitoring.

Founded in 1913, Sampoerna is the leading cigarette manufacturer in Indonesia and employs 27,600 people throughout Indonesia. In May 2005, PT Philip Morris Indonesia, an affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), acquired a majority ownership of Sampoerna which has its headquarters in Surabaya. PMI is the world’s leading international tobacco company, with products sold in approximately 180 countries.