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AgustaWestland Appoints Official SW-4 Distributor in China

13/03/2015 by Aviation Times

PZL-Świdnik, an AgustaWestland company announced that during Heli-Expo 2015, currently taking place in Orlando, Florida, USA, AgustaWestland has signed a distribution agreement with Tuncang Investment Co.,Ltd, appointing the company as an official, non-exclusive distributor of the SW-4 light single engine helicopter in China. The agreement also includes a commitment for 10 SW-4 helicopters which will be produced in Świdnik. In the future Tuncang Investment could also be appointed the Authorised Service Centre for SW-4 helicopters in China.

Appointment an official distributor for the SW-4 helicopter in China opens up new sales opportunities for this machine in the rapidly expanding Chinese market. So far PZL-Świdnik has delivered five helicopters of this type to Chinese clients.

This is also a major achievement for AgustaWestland, which has sold 130 helicopters of various types in China to perform a broad range of civil and parapublic missions. The types sold include the AW109 Power, AW119, Grand/GrandNew, AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters, programmes in which PZL-Świdnik has significant involvement, being AgustaWestland’s centre of excellence for composite aerostructures production.

This year’s Heli-Expo is yet another successful American aviation exhibition for the SW-4. A year ago, during its first public presentation in the USA as part of Heli-Expo 2014 (Anaheim, California), attendees were most impressed by the spacious cabin of the SW-4, which can comfortably fit five adults and the fact that the machine is supported by AgustaWestland’s global sales network.

The SW-4 light single engine multi-purpose helicopter is designed to carry up to five people, including pilot(s), has low operating costs and is easy to fly, which make it an excellent entry point to the light turbine helicopter segment. The cabin can be easily converted between cargo and passenger configurations, has a flat floor with access via two hinged cockpit doors and two sliding cabin doors. A large capacity baggage bay is located behind the cabin with easy access from the port side. The SW-4’s fuselage and the structural components have been designed with state-of-the-art materials making extensive use of composites.

The SW-4 can be fitted with a wide range of optional equipment including removable co-pilot controls, external cargo sling, wire strike protection, FLIR / TV system, searchlight and emergency flotation gear system. Examples of the SW-4’s class leading capabilities include an endurance of 5 hours 30 minutes or a range of 459 nm (850 km). With a pilot onboard the SW-4 has a useful payload of nearly 600 kg and a maximum take-off weight of 1,800 kg.

Over 40 SW-4 helicopters have been sold to various customers worldwide so far.

Tuncang Investment Ltd was founded by Mr. Qian, Guorong, a renowned Chinese entrepreneur from Zhejiang Province. Tuncang is committed to the integration of natural resources and assets management. After years of development, Tuncang Investment business scope has expanded to include natural resources, manufacturing, general aviation and equity investments throughout Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hainan and other provinces. In the current economic transition period, Tuncang Investment is adhering to the “gathering resources, innovation, cooperation and development” management philosophy. It also actively promotes the integration of eastern coastal financial resources, industrial technology and middle west industrial capability, the natural resources, as well as the transformation and upgrading of industry with innovative business models to realize sustainable development.

Source: PZL Swidnik