AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) for the AW139 medium twin helicopter has received FAA certification. The FAA certification follows EASA certification which was issued in February of this year. TCAA (Canada) certification is expected soon.

The AW139 is the first helicopter in its weight category to receive FIPS Certification. With FIPS, the AW139 is equipped to fly into known icing conditions with unprecedented all weather capabilities. In 2010 AgustaWestland expects to deliver 12 FIPS-equipped AW139s. Since 2004, AgustaWestland teams based in Italy and the United States have worked together under the supervision of the aviation authorities from Europe, the United States and Canada, to complete the certification process.

FIPS certification, achieved following three extensive series of trials in North America, completes the process that makes the multirole AW139 suitable to operate in the most adverse and harsh environmental conditions. The AW139 helicopter has also demonstrated excellent flight performance and ample margins in a wide range of demanding icing conditions, well in excess of those normally encountered by helicopters in typical operating environments.

The FIPS system is available as an option and includes ice detectors, automatic activation system with manual back up, electrical power generators, engine intake protection grids, heated windshield and blades (main and tail rotor). The AW139 equipped with the FIPS system retains the performance and procedures for Cat.A operations and generates no restrictions during IFR operations, therefore expanding the already impressive all-weather operating capability. A significant number of operators utilising the aircraft for roles such as offshore transport, search and rescue/emergency medical service, corporate transport and passenger shuttle services are expected to utilise FIPS. The FIPS is the latest addition to a large range of systems and equipment available for the AW139 to meet a variety of mission requirements from customers around the world.