Contributor - UK

David Donald

Finmeccanica today reported encouraging full-year 2014 financial results, as the company returns to profitability and embarks on a new five-year industrial plan that will see it focus on core businesses. Along with electronics division Selex ES, the AgustaWestland helicopter business has performed particularly strongly. With orders up 3.9 percent over 2013 and revenues increasing by 8.1 percent, AgustaWestland is forecast to grow at a double-digit rate, with much of the business coming from the civil sector.

 


Driving that growth will be an increase in service offerings, such as training and maintenance, and new products that are coming online. Building on the success of the company’s AW139, AgustaWestland achieved FAA certification for the 19-passenger AW189 earlier this month, following <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2014-02-13/agustawestland-aw189-gets-nod-easa">EASA certification</a> last February. The first 10 have already been delivered. AgustaWestland expects to receive approval for the 10-passenger AW169 later this year.

 


Development of the AW609 tiltrotor is also progressing well,&nbsp;Finmeccanica CEO and general manager Mauro Moretti noted during the financial conference call. Speaking about the type’s application to the oil/gas industry, he forecast that the AW609 would provide a “a revolution in the sector, particularly in terms of opportunities for greater distance.” The strong performance and promise of the current-production models, as well as that for the in-development AW609, are seen as a competitive counter to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-03-03/airbus-helicopters-unveils-h160-medium-twin">Airbus Helicopters' H160</a>, which was launched two weeks ago at Heli-Expo 2015.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Helicopters Key to Finmeccanica Upturn

Orders at AgustaWestland subsidiary were up 3.9 percent over 2013 and revenues increased by 8.1 percent.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Rotorcraft

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN