Sightings: AgustaWestland AW-139 of the Los Angeles Fire Department

By Carmelo Turdo

An AgustaWestland AW-139, the third ordered by the Los Angeles Fire Department, was recently sighted at St. Louis Downtown Airport.  The aircraft was on a delivery flight from the AgustaWestland facility in Philadelphia to Los Angeles (with many stops along the way).  The aircraft was equipped with search light and rescue winch, and will later have water drop capability.  For the ferry flight, there were passenger seats in the cabin, but they will be removed to make room for stretcher and medical crew stations.  It is noted that the AFS/Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filter on the engine is made at the facility here in St. Louis across from Spirit of St. Louis Airport. 

The department also flies 3 Bell Helicopter 412s, which may be replaced by AW-139s as the budget permits.  In describing the advanced autopilot capabilities of the AW-139, the pilot quipped, "After the turn I make over the airport after takeoff, I wont have to touch it again until we land.  It will fly us all the way by itself."  Here are some views of the new aircraft as it prepared to take off for Colorado: