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AIRCRAFT

 

Agusta A109

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Overview

In the late 1960s, Italy-based manufacturer Agusta designed and developed the A109 as a single engine commercial helicopter, and upgraded it in 1969 to use two Allison 250-C14 turboshaft engines. Production of the three-tonne class, eight passenger helicopter has been continued by successor companies AgustaWestland, a merger of Finmeccanica subsidiary Agusta with Westland Helicopters in July 2000, that in turn was renamed Leonardo in May 2016. The marketing designation of the helicopter was changed to AW109 in 2007.

Agusta originally established final assembly lines in Italy and in the US, while many A109 fuselages have been manufactured by Poland-based subsidiary PZL-Świdnik since the mid-1990s. There is also a final assembly line in China following a joint venture with the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation in 2004. The latest variants are still in production.

The first of three A109 prototypes made a maiden flight on 4 August, 1971 and the type received FAA VFR certification on 1 June, 1975, paving the way for service entry in 1976. Single pilot IFR certification came in on 20 January, 1977. Its mission suitability includes light utility, VIP transport, aeromedical, law enforcement, homeland security, harbour pilot shuttle duty, search and rescue, maritime and military roles.

In 1981, deliveries began of the A109A Mk2 that featured a modified tailbone, improved tail rotor, more powerful hydraulics and uprated 400shp Allison 250-C20B turboshafts.

Agusta developed an A109K for the military market and updated the Mk2 to the A109C, certified in 1989. These were amalgamated in late 1993 into a unified version that became the A109 Power, with uprated turboshaft engines and a composite main rotor. It was rolled out in 1995, obtaining certification in 1996.

A stretch variant prototype was built in 2002 and certification was granted mid 2005; the AW109 Grand. The Grand has a larger cabin, improved rotor system and gearbox, and twin PW207C turboshafts with FADEC rated at 815 SHP. It has a 21cm stretch permitted fit of a rear passenger cabin window and a new tail rotor with tapered blades. The Grand New appeared in early 2010 with few airframe changes but enhanced avionics. It is now the current main production version.

The AW109 Trekker appeared in February 2014; an updated utility model equipped with skid landing gear and powered by a pair of FADEC-equipped Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C engines.

Specifications
  • Typical passenger capacity:   6
  • Range:   205 nm (full seats)
  • Cruise speed:   126 - 156 kts
  • Cabin height:   4.17 ft
  • Cabin width:   5.25 ft
  • Cabin length:   11.5 ft
  • Cabin volume:   221 cu ft
  • Active fleet worldwide:   975
  • Available for charter worldwide:   201
  • Typical price:   $100,000 to $4,800,000 pre-owned. Agusta A109 $4,800,000 new.
  • Production dates:   1973 - current
  • Includes A109A, A109A MkII, Widebody, A109A2, A109A Plus, A109C, A109E Power, Grand, GrandNew, K2 and Trekker

  • Engines:   Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206/PW207 Series
Variant types
World fleetCharter fleetTypical paxCabin volumeCruiseRangeYears
Agusta A109A 36 2 7 83 cu ft 126 kts 297 nm 1975 - 1981
Agusta A109A-II 53 7 6 83 cu ft 126 kts 1981 - 1989
Agusta A109C 53 11 6 90 cu ft 147 kts 269 nm 1989 - 1996
Agusta A109K2 20 11 6 128 cu ft 144 kts 293 nm 1991 - 2000
Leonardo A109E 374 60 7 130 cu ft 137 kts 311 nm 1996 - 2019
Agusta A109S Grand 164 48 7 148 cu ft 130 kts 453 nm 2005 - 2010
Leonardo A109SP 235 56 6 143 cu ft 140 kts 453 nm 2010 - current
Leonardo AW109 Trekker 40 9 7 144 cu ft 140 kts 399 nm 2018 - current

 

Supplemental Type Certificates

Browse or search through all recent STCs.

11/07/2023 EASA: 10082382. A109S Trekker – BS2 Installation. The Brite Saver 2 (BS2) equipment is a usage monitoring system acquiring aircraft data for post-flight processing activities on the groundstation.
Agusta A109S Grand
STC holder: NSE Groupe
11/07/2023 EASA: 10082381. A109S Trekker – BCT Installation. The Box of Communication and Tracking (BCT) unit is a communication and tracking equipment collecting, transmitting and storing tracking and usage data.
Agusta A109S Grand
STC holder: NSE Groupe
14/06/2022 EASA: 10052729. Installation of auxiliary hoist bracket. Rev. 3: Transfer of STC.
Agusta A109S Grand
18/05/2022 EASA: 10073469. Right pole with RIEGL VP-1 kit p/n TPS109-03-00. This kit (STC) consists in a pole, installed at the front right side of the helicopter, with attached a pod (RIEGL VP-1) that contains the VUX-SYS for Airborne Laser Scanning.
Leonardo A109E
STC holder: T.P.S.
15/02/2022 EASA: 10078618. Inflation System for A109 Emergency Flotation System - Certification of a new inflation system as an alternative to the existing Moog´s inflation system.
Leonardo A109E, Agusta A109A-II, Agusta A109A, Agusta A109C, Agusta A109K2
STC holder: Saab AB, Support & Services

 

Manufacturing data
For detailed information about the manufacture of this aircraft, please consult our sister publication Airframer: Leonardo AW109
Charter operators
Canada Chartright Air Group , Foxair Heliservice-Helico Pro
Mexico Aerolineas Ejecutivas , Avemex , Corporacion Aero Angeles , FlyMex , HELIVAN , Performance Air , Servicios Aereos Milenio
U.S.A. Analar Corporation , Azimuth Aviation , Brim Aviation , Bristow U.S. , Helinet Aviation Services , Life Link III , Mercy Health , Niihau Helicopters , O'Brien Helicopters , Platinum Helicopters , South Bay Helicopter , Sweet Helicopters
Maintenance centres
Canada Alpine Aerotech , Capitale Helicoptere , Chartright Air Group , Eagle Copters Maintenance , EuroTec Canada , Helico SB3 , National Helicopters , Textron Aviation Canada
Mexico Aeroservicios Especializados (ASESA) , Aeroservicios Tecnicos Regiomontanos , ALE Service Center
U.S.A. AgustaWestland Philidelphia , Apex Aviation , Bristow Group (Era Helicopters) , Dixie Jet & Rotor Services , EuroTec Vertical Flight Solutions , Mecaer Aviation Group , Port City Air/New Hampshire Helicopters , Rotorcraft Support , RSG Aviation , RSG Aviation , Uniflight Global
Completions centres
U.S.A. Helicopter Specialties , RSG Aviation
Type rating training providers
U.S.A. EuroSafety International
Manufacturer
Italy Leonardo Helicopters
New aircraft sales
Mexico Aerolineas Ejecutivas
News from Business Air News
Sloane secures deals with Leonardo and Robinson
February 29, 2024
The company has taken out preliminary sales contracts for nine AW09s and placed new orders for two each of the AW109 GrandNew and Trekker with Leonardo. It has also secured six Robinson delivery positions for 2025.
THC commits to huge fleet expansion with Airbus and Leonardo
February 28, 2024
Up to 120 Airbus and 130 Leonardo helicopters will be delivered over the next five to seven years. Part of the deals are firm orders for eight H125s and 20 AW139s, along with 10 H145s converted from earlier options.
Garmin adds IFR and four-axis capability to GFC 600H flight controls
February 22, 2024
This will provide IFR operators with advanced automated flight capabilities and bring added protections to one of the most challenging flight categories. AW109 Trekker operators should be impressed with its performance.
January 31, 2024TopJet Exec hails hearty 2023
October 31, 2023HeliTSA launches PW200 series engine type training in Australia
August 15, 2023Leonardo signs key distributor for Uruguay and Argentina
May 25, 2023Sloane continues track record selling Leonardo machines
May 11, 2023Japan's Alpha opts for entrol AW109 simulator
May 9, 2023Grand brings night-flight capability to Elicompany
April 24, 2023Malaysian ambulance helicopter service takes flight
April 6, 2023Leonardo's order book very much open for EMEA customers
April 3, 2023Milestone signs off a dozen rotorcraft destined for global ops
March 13, 2023Leonardos and Bells join Caverton and Global
January 16, 2023Two SP109s are a treat for Sweet fleet
November 14, 2022Leonardo rates HeliService an excellent service centre
November 10, 2022COHC adds three engines to Chinese service capability
November 10, 2022Caverton adds entrol AW109 device to Nigerian sim offering
August 16, 2022Leonardo premiers VIP Agusta brand at LABACE
August 1, 2022A six heli order adds to China capacity
July 23, 2022Sloane commits to distribute future Leonardo fleet
May 30, 2022Leonardo orders supported by opening of Paris service centre
May 29, 2022SaxonAir signs up for GrandNew replacement
April 17, 2022Orders and deliveries confirm Leonardo's market position
March 4, 2022Karen relies on Horix to dismantle two A109s
February 14, 2022Growing SaxonAir puts down roots at Biggin Hill
January 12, 2022AW109 sim debuts in UK at Helicentre
December 16, 2021RBI Hawker Australia to provide Leonardo rotor repair
August 26, 2021Static display lineup unveiled for ACE 2021
August 9, 2021Leonardo's A109 chalks up half a century
March 16, 2021FlyKomala brings the Trekker to Indonesia
December 9, 2020European Trekkers and AW109SPs to receive AMS expertise
November 9, 2020Life Link III brings Trekker to Minnesota
August 17, 2020Apollo lands at Cambridge to serve south England
June 19, 2020SAF prepares to receive EMS AW109 by year end
March 23, 2020AAS looks to take on two more vital rotorcraft
February 25, 2020India validates Astronics' STC for Roadrunner EFI
November 11, 2019Intermountain adds sixth GrandNew to EMS fleet
October 25, 2019Leonardo strengthens South Africa presence
October 7, 2019Apollo takes on first European Trekker
September 17, 2019RoadRunner given Brazilian nod of approval
August 13, 2019Buyers sign up for five Leonardo helicopters
July 29, 2019R&O up and running for Dart in Amsterdam
July 22, 2019Life Flight teams up with WhidbeyHealth
July 8, 2019Leonardo achieves full operational capability in Louisiana
July 2, 2019HeliKorea gains country's first entrol H19 simulator
May 23, 2019Leonardo agreement renewed with Sloane
May 7, 2019GB expects GrandNew to be busy all over the UK
March 5, 2019Port Angeles base will save vital medical minutes
February 26, 2019EVS receives amended STC for Leonardo helicopters
December 17, 2018WESCAM system is the missing LINX for Rega
October 18, 2018Rotortrade paves way for value in pre-owned helicopters
July 26, 2018QME signs for GrandNew to extend Sloane scope in Ireland
May 17, 2018Apollo approved for multiple crew
February 7, 2018AW109 Trekker meets EASA criteria
September 15, 2017Castle Air reaches six Grands and treats ACE guests to shuttle sample
August 1, 2017Leonardo helicopters take on VIP missions
July 4, 2017SaxonAir doubles rotary capacity with GrandNew pair
June 2, 2017Mountainflyers adds GrandNew for Swiss taxi work
October 27, 2016SaxonAir adds GrandNew
June 2, 2016Grand New increases SaxonAir scope
March 8, 2016AW109 Trekker takes to the skies
February 5, 2016Uganda to benefit from law enforcement boost as GrandNew and Sokol arrive
July 16, 2015GB Helicopters doubles up AW109SP fleet in the north
February 12, 2015West London is in easy reach for Castle Air heli shuttle clients
November 6, 2014Rega participates in demo flights for SkyVis
October 9, 2014Terna's AW109 Power aids electrical monitoring
August 10, 2014Elitaliana helps launch HEMS Trekker
June 9, 2014ME & MY AIRCRAFT–Twin helicopters: Twins can be costly, yet their capability in EMEA rarely disappoints
August 12, 2013MSV enjoys speed and space benefits of Grand upgrade for circuit travel
August 12, 2013Sloane receives 'best of the bunch' GrandNew for EMS missions
February 11, 2013Sloane collects UK's fourth GrandNew
December 10, 2012ExecuJet Africa teams up to add helicopters to its charter fleet
November 13, 2012Sloane prepares AW109S for 2013 start as The Children’s Air Ambulance launches service
August 2, 2012Polish door and fence company selects GrandNew
June 11, 2012Me & my aircraft: Lower maintenance and greater payload are top of twin helicopter operators' wish lists
August 3, 2011Kocoglu Powers pass 10,000 flight hour milestone
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