Meridionali/Agusta EMA 124

EMA 124
Role	Utility helicopter
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Elicotteri Meridionali/Agusta
First flight	28 May 1970
Number built	1
Developed from	Bell 47

The Meridionali/Agusta EMA 124 was a light utility helicopter flown in prototype form in Italy in 1970.^[1] The design was undertaken by Agusta for production in a joint venture with Elicotteri Meridionali, based on the Bell 47 that Agusta was building under licence at the time.^[2]

The EMA 124 retained the Bell 47's dynamic components, tubular tail, and undercarriage, but was fitted with a new, more aerodynamic forward fuselage with a cabin to seat three.^[1] The fuel tank and engine installation were also "cleaned up", and the rotor omitted the stabiliser bars fitted to the Bell 47's rotor.^[2]

A single prototype was flown in 1970 (registration I-EMAF), but nothing further came of the project.^[3]

Specifications

Data from Stevens 1972, 184

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Main rotor diameter: 9.50 m (31 ft 2 in)
• Empty weight: 700 kg (1,540 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,150 kg (2,540 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming VO-540-B1B3, 186 kW (250 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph)
• Range: 420 km (260 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4,300 m (14,100 ft)
• Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (827 ft/min)

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Taylor 1989, 648
2. ^ ^{a b} Stevens 1972, 184
3. ^ Simpson 1998, 37

References

• Simpson, R. W. (1998). Airlife's Helicopters and Rotorcraft. Ramsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1853109681. 
• Stevens, James Hay (3 February 1972). "World helicopter and V/Stol market". Flight International: 176–92. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%200267.html. Retrieved 2008-10-20. 
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. ISBN 0710607105.