New Zealand Pays To Stay Ahead

photo agustawestland.com

April 1, 2011: STRATEGY PAGE

For the first time since 1970, the New Zealand Air Force is receiving some new aircraft. Not warplanes, the new arrivals are a pair of A109LUHs (Light Utility Helicopter). Four years ago, the air force ordered five of these, and one simulator. This equipment will be used as pilot trainers, to provide crews for the eight larger, ten ton, NH90 choppers. The smaller A109 is a 3.1 ton helicopter that can operate with one or two pilots, and carry up to eight passengers. Maximum endurance is 3.5 hours and it is equipped with a rescue lift that can bring up two people at a time, or 270 kg (594 pounds). In addition to its training duties, the A109s will also be used as a light transport. The A109 is similar to the U.S. UH-1, but is of more modern (ten years after the UH-1) design.