The first of five new Royal New Zealand Defence Force A109 helicopters has been successfully flight tested after rolling off the production line in Italy.The A109 light utility helicopters, which carry three crew and up to five passengers, replace the Sio
The first of five new Royal New Zealand Defence Force A109 helicopters has been successfully flight tested after rolling off the production line in Italy.
The A109 light utility helicopters, which carry three crew and up to five passengers, replace the Sioux, currently used as a training helicopter.
The A109s will be used for training pilots and helicopter crew for the air force's new heavier-duty NH90s -- six of which are due to be imported from France between the end of this year and April 2012 -- and the navy's Seasprites.
The first two of the A109s, which can be used for a variety of light roles such as moving small groups, carrying light loads and rescue work with a winch, are due to be delivered to New Zealand by the end of the year, with the rest scheduled to arrive by July next year.
