BORN IN SWITZERLAND, GREW UP IN ITALY
Large windows, personalised interiors, digital technology. The illustrious Agusta brand presents Leonardo AW09, a VIP helicopter in the long-light single class
by Sergio Barlocchetti
ph. courtesy by Agusta
New line, wrap-around windows and high fan-in-fin rear rotor. These are the main features of the AW09, a helicopter in the three-tonne class
When Leonardo bought the Swiss helicopter builder Kopter (originally founded as Marenco Swisscopters in 2008), many thought this was a move taken to enable the Italian brand to add a medium-light single-engine model to its portfolio. Now, thirteen years after the presentation of the Swiss SKYe and SH09 helicopters in 2011, we welcome the appearance of the Leonardo AW09, a through revamping of the previous models, in Geneva under the Agusta brand. Leonardo has taken the original concept several steps forward, with a new rotor, a lengthened mast and a new tail rotor design.
The transmission has been re-imagined, the skids have been modified and the tanks moved, all with the aim of improving versatility and
comfort. What we saw at the EBACE2024, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, was a full-scale model that gave the public and operators a look at the interiors and configuration, including a new decorative scheme that marks the AW09’s entry into the catalogue of superior quality products – in the single-engine market it offers the state-of-the-art in terms of interior spaces, layouts, technology, personalisation and comfort. In fact, this helicopter has a new design that will remain competitive for a long time in its ‘long-light single’ category and features the largest cabin on the market, with exceptional visibility for pilots and passengers. Three interior configurations are available, a 4+1, the classic 2+3 and a 3+3+2, all with side and rear access. Careful attention has been
From left to right, views of the interior, here in the Desert Dawn colour. Note the elegant, rational seats available in 2+3 or 2+4 configuration, depending on the intended service type. Below right, an example of the interior ventilation, LED courtesy light and instrument panel with integrated touch-control Garmin G3000H digital platform, the state of the art in avionics
paid to the choice of interior materials and finishes, available in four options - Desert Dawn, Cedar Woods, Ocean Twilight and Darkall creating an unparalleled personalisation and flight experience. On the technical side, the lofty 5-bladed main rotor and fan-in-fin tail rotor provide safety and comfort, while the Agusta for You maintenance programme, developed to meet the needs of individual clients, enables optimised operating cost management through the dedicated global portal, with gathering, transmission and analysis of usage data – not surprising in a native digital helicopter! All this means it should come as no surprise that the AW09 has attracted over a hundred orders. There’s also a series of further advantages – at the cabin rear there are two doors for loading cargo, or, in the
emergency medical service version, a stretcher-borne patient. The loading operation is facilitated by the tail boom’s height of about 180 cm above the ground, so operations can be carried out with greater ease and rapidity. The aircraft’s performance figures are impressive – powered by a Safran Ariel 2K engine producing 750 kW, the helicopter can take off with a maximum weight of around 3,000 kg, which means it can also reach high-altitude destinations and fly at a cruising speed of over 140 knots while providing the agility of an aircraft whose main rotor has a diameter of just under 11 metres and a range of 800 km/5 hours. The pilots have an ultra-modern Garmin 3000H system with intuitive touch screen at their fingertips. www.leonardo.com