BLACKBOOK TAKING OFF BLACKBOOK TAKING OFF BLADE RUNNERS THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE HELICOPTER WORLD, PLUS AN INTRIGUING NEW KIND OF CRAFT. BY JOHN M cNAMARA BELL FCX-001 Bell delivered its first 505 Jet Ranger X in March, having received certification for the five-seat, short light singleengine aircraft last December. Thus, the Texas-based manufacturer has been able to to look ahead with confidence, especially with its latest exhibit – the Bell FCX-001 concept (pictured). A futuristic model with advanced airframe design based on sustainable materials, it could revolutionise the safety, noise and performance parameters of vertical lift aircraft, thanks to new anti-torque systems. bellhelicopter.com AIRBUS CORPORATE HELICOPTERS “A more tailor-made approach” was the promise from Frédéric Lemos, head of private and business aviation Europe, as he revealed Airbus’s new bespoke brand, ACH, at this year’s EBACE. The helicopters will come in three types: ACH Line, based on the company’s in-house style concept; ACH Exclusive, a more upscale version with emphasis on “refinement, luxury and comfort”; and ACH Editions, which features collaborations with the likes of Hermès, Mercedes- Benz (pictured) and yacht designer Peder Eidsgaard. airbushelicopters.com LEONARDO GRANDNEW The Italian company, formerly Agusta Westland, has been showcasing its GrandNew this year. Based on the former AW109, the light twin-engine helicopter (gross weight 3,175kg) is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C engines and will reach a top range of 859km, with a maximum flight endurance of four hours and 31 minutes. The reconfigurable modular cabin can hold six or seven passengers, depending on whether one or two pilots fly. leonardocompany.com TILT AT THE TOP A hybrid combining the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing, billed as the next generation of aircraft, Leonardo’s AW609 TiltRotor, will be able to fly at twice the speed and range typical of helicopters. leonardocompany.com PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: © BELL HELICOPTER, © LEONARDO COMPANY (2), © DAIMLER 58 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM FOR UPDATES ON THE LATEST PRIVATE JETS GO TO: CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
STYLE & BEAUTY A SEASONAL COMPENDIUM TO SARTORIAL FLAIR, ENCHANTING JEWELS AND HAUTE HORLOGERIE Red Alert Crimson shoes that make a splash COLOUR CODE PHOTO MIERSWA-KLUSKA Clockwise from top left: PRADA satin sandal embellished with ostrich feather and button POLLINI boot in cavallino leather with patent leather details AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI Curl boot in patent leather JIMMY CHOO Letty boot in suede CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA velvet and satin Leading Lady plateau lace-ups CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Douce du Desert pump in crepe satin CONTACT CENTURION SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM 59
