U.S. Ex-Im Bank backed $1.7 bln in civil aviation deals since FY12

COATESVILLE, Pa., Oct 16 (Reuters) - The embattled U.S. Export-Import Bank on Thursday said it had authorized $1.7 billion in financing to support U.S. exports of helicopters, business jets and agricultural aircraft since fiscal 2012, aiding a sector that was hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis.