Photograph:
Agusta A-119 Koala VH-FOX (c/n 14007) at Mascot, NSW in September 2000 (Warwick Bigsworth)
Country of origin:
Italy
Description:
Light utility helicopter
Power Plant:
One 747 kw (1,002 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37 turboshaft
Specifications:
- Length overall: 13.04 m (42 9 ½ ft)
- Fuselage length: 11.07 m (36 ft 4 in)
- Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 5 ¾ in)
- Main rotor disc area: 95 m² (1,022.9 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed: 259 km/h (161 mph)
- Service ceiling: 5,460 m (17,915 ft)
- Hovering ceiling in ground effect: 3,600 m (11,810 ft)
- Hovering ceiling out of ground effect: 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
- Range with auxiliary fuel at 1,525 m (5,000 ft) with no reserves: 887 km (551 miles)
- Empty weight: 1,430 kg (3,153 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,720 kg (5,996 lb)
History:
The A-119 Koala made its public debut at the Paris Air Show in June 1995, the prototype (I-KOAL) having flown earlier that year. The second prototype flew later that year and deliveries commenced in February 1996 to Omniflight Helicopters in the United States.
The prototypes were originally fitted with 597 kw (800 shp) Turbomeca Arriel I turboshafts, but they were later re-engined with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A rated at 747 kw (1,002 shp), with a maximum continuous rating of 651 kw (872 shp). All production machines had the latter engine. Accommodation was provided for a pilot and passenger in front, and six passengers in the main cabin in three-abreast club configuration, which was claimed to be 30 per cent larger than that of any current single-turbine light helicopter. A baggage compartment, which was flight-accessible, was in the cabin, but the main baggage compartment was in the rear fuselage.
In EMS configuration the machine could accommodate two stretchers and a medical attendant in the main cabin without intrusion into the cockpit area. There were sliding doors on each side of the main cabin; and forward-hinged doors to the cockpit on both sides. The type could also be used for search-and-rescue duties.
Production rate was set at 20 to 25 aircraft per annum; and a second assembly line was established by Denel in South Africa for the local market. A fairly large helicopter for a single engine, the Koala was aimed at a range of utility transport missions and became popular in this role. A design feature was the composite four-blade main rotor which featured a titanium fully-articulated maintenance-free hub with elastomeric bearings and composite grips.
First of the type in this region arrived in 2000 and became VH-FOX (c/n 14007) for Linfox Group Holdings, this machine having been shown at the 2000 Farnborough Air Show before arriving in Australia. It was followed by VH-CFO (c/n 14008) for operation by CareFlight from Westmead, NSW.
One example has been registered in New Zealand. This machine VH-UCL, an A-119 Mk II (ex N291SH), was first registered in Australia before becoming ZK-ISR in New Zealand in 2008 to Heli Solutions of Tauranga. It returned to Australia in September 2012 where it again became VH-UCL before returning to New Zealand as ZK-ISR in December 2015.