With three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters now in service and two more to arrive by 2014, the Philippine Navy (PN) has assured that it has more than sufficient pilots and flight crews to man these brand-new aircraft.
At present, there are seven pilots assigned per helicopter, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said, adding that an equivalent number of AW-109 trained co-pilots and crewmen are also available.
"More (pilots and crewmen) are now undergoing training to ensure that the aircraft can be manned at all times," the PN spokesperson stressed.
The Naval Air Group (NAG), the unit tasked to operate and maintain the PN's aerial assets, has more than 50 pilots at its roster.
Prior to the arrival of the AW-109s last Dec. 8, the inventory of the NAG consists of one Robinson R-22 helicopter, Blohm B0-105 helicopter, two Islander aircraft and four Cessna light utility planes.
With the arrival of three AW-109s, the number of flyable assets of the NAG has increased to 11.
NAG pilots are trained to fly the AW-109s in
The AW-109s will be deployed to increase the range, surveillance and detection capability of the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates in Philippine Navy service.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=600331
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