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The TH-119 is expected to perform its maiden flight in fall 2018 and to achieve FAA certification in the first quarter of 2019. Leonardo Photo

Leonardo performs TH-119 avionics ‘power on’ at Philadelphia facility

Leonardo Press Release | September 17, 2018

Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 25 seconds.

Leonardo has announced another major milestone in the certification process of the TH-119 single engine helicopter with the first ‘power on’ of new Genesys Aerosystems avionics.

The TH-119 features a modern Genesys Aerosystems cockpit that gives flexibility to instruct from either seat. Genesys Aerosystems Photo
The TH-119 features a modern Genesys Aerosystems cockpit that gives flexibility to instruct from either seat. Genesys Aerosystems Photo

The all new avionics and cockpit allowing unique IFR operations is being integrated at the Leonardo Philadelphia facility, home to the AW119 single engine final assembly line for the U.S. and global market, as well as to the development and certification of all customized solutions able to meet evolving market requirements.

The TH-119 is expected to perform its maiden flight in fall 2018 and to achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in the first quarter of 2019.

The TH-119 is a dedicated variant of the successful AW119 specifically designed for military training customers, primarily to meet the U.S. Navy requirements. The new version features distinctive capabilities and unique features differentiating it from the proven AW119 commercial helicopter while keeping certification advantages.

Like the commercial AW119, which has been chosen and is in operation over land and sea with a range of customers including armed forces and public service agencies from nations in all continents with total orders for nearly 320 units, the TH-119 will be built at the company’s existing AW119 manufacturing line in Philadelphia.

William Hunt, CEO, Leonardo Philadelphia Corporation, said, “This event marks a major step forward in the integration of the all new avionics into the only IFR operations-capable single engine helicopter, as we get close to more extensive ground and flight testing activities towards FAA certification early next year. I congratulate the whole team and partners for this achievement aimed at offering U.S. naval aviators the best, most cost/effective U.S.-made solution for their future basic and operational training.”

The TH-119 is expected to perform its maiden flight in fall 2018 and to achieve FAA certification in the first quarter of 2019. Leonardo Photo
The TH-119 is expected to perform its maiden flight in fall 2018 and to achieve FAA certification in the first quarter of 2019. Leonardo Photo

The TH-119 maintains redundancies on several key systems for maximum safety, high power margin thanks to its popular and highly reliable Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-B engine while featuring a modern Genesys Aerosystems cockpit that gives flexibility to instruct from either seat. The TH-119 is the only full-spectrum training helicopter, meaning that with a single variant, single configuration of the helicopter the operator can accomplish the most basic VFR training flights (hovering, full auto-rotations) equally, as well as advanced training flights (NVG, instruments, tactics, hoist, cargo hook, shipboard landings).

This makes the TH-119 a great single engine solution on the market for training in demanding weather and low visibility conditions.

Additional features that, among others, set the aircraft apart from its competitors include:

  • A unique cabin configuration with an additional 180-degree adjustable trainer observation seat at the base of the instrument panel giving the occupant a full view of the cockpit;
  • Full Night Vision Device (NVD)-compatible cockpit and cabin with high-visibility cockpit doors and a low-profile instrument panel to ensure maximum visibility from the cockpit;
  • Re-enforced skids with replaceable skid shoes which support the multiple repetitions of essential touchdown training maneuvers;
  • Cargo hook and hoist options supporting advanced training events; and
  • A five-fuel cell option that provides more than five hours of flight time with pressure refueling port allowing for less downtime to refuel, as well as “hot” refueling while the engine is still running.

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