Chris Emerson, president of Airbus Helicopters Inc., congratulates David MacNeil, WeatherTech automotive accessories business owner, on the purchase of an Airbus Helicopters H145 for corporate travel use. Airbus Helicopters Photo
One of America’s leading entrepreneurs, David MacNeil, owner of MacNeil Automotive Products Ltd. in Bolingbrook, Ill., placed an order for an Airbus Helicopters H145 for use with his highly successful company that manufactures the acclaimed WeatherTech automotive products.
MacNeil said the decision to buy the H145 was based on the performance, quality and safety features of the powerful twin-engine aircraft, and his experience as an owner-operator of an
Airbus Helicopters H125.
“This is an outstanding aircraft that will be an extremely useful tool to help in managing our business and enabling us to better serve our customers,” said MacNeil. “And my customer support experience with Airbus Helicopters has been outstanding.”
“We are pleased and honored that an extraordinary entrepreneur like David MacNeil has once again selected an Airbus Helicopters aircraft for his business transportation needs,” said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc.
“David’s choice is a vote of confidence in the capabilities of our class leading H145 helicopter and of the ability of the Airbus Helicopters Inc. team to provide him with world-class customer support.”
MacNeil has built a highly successful automotive accessories business. His entire WeatherTech product line, which consists of floor liners, floor mats, cargo liners, side-window deflectors, car covers, license plate frames, mud flaps, pickup truck bed liners, BumpSteps and home/business doormats, is made in America; much of it in the company’s suburban Chicago factory.
The H145 provides a roomy cabin that can seat eight or more passengers. The two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, with dual channel FADEC, provide strong performance; they generate 951 shaft horsepower for take-off and allow for substantially improved hover and one-engine inoperative performance, as well as increased max gross weight capability.
The H145 is equipped with the Airbus Helicopters developed Helionix avionics system, including a standard 4-axis digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), for reduced pilot workload and improved situational awareness. A Fenestron enclosed tail rotor dramatically reduces noise levels. The helicopter’s tail boom is constructed of composite materials.
