Showing posts with label AW109. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AW109. Show all posts

04 August, 2021

A109 helicopter’s maiden flight anniversary marks 50 years of leadership in high performance, design, and mission versatility


A109’s maiden flight paved the path for the company’s distinguished technical and performance features in the multirole and dual-use helicopter domain
Unmatched speed, handling quality, efficient aerodynamics and versatility are among the most acclaimed characteristics of Leonardo’s light twin types for civil and government operators
Over 1,600 helicopters in the light twin class have been sold over the last five decades to customers in more than 50 nations across all continents for the widest range of roles
Leonardo celebrates today the 50th anniversary of its A109 helicopter, an iconic product which represented a revolution in the life of the company. The type enabled Italy to become one of the world’s only nations with an OEM capable of autonomous design, development, manufacturing of helicopters, which became highly successful in both national and export markets.

Best-in-class performance and speed, a sleek design for superior aerodynamics, in-house modern main gear box and transmission design and development, mission versatility and high level of customisation. All of these characteristics enabled winning, distinguished features and core capabilities at Leonardo and played a significant part to its growing multirole and dual-use helicopter range over the coming decades, and this started with the maiden flight of the Agusta A109 on 4th August 1971.

The project request originated from the designer Bruno Lovera to the-then top management and a A109 prototype was taken to the skies by pilot Ottorino Lancia for the first time in the summer of 1971. The new model featured a four-blade articulated main rotor, a semi-rigid two-blade tail rotor and retractable landing gear, delivering unique handling and overall flying qualities. The 2.4 tonne 8-seat type was certified both in Italy and US four years later and entered the market in 1976. The new model also allowed the company to enter into the highly competitive US market, where it leveraged the establishment of a logistics centre in Philadelphia set to become, over the following decades, home to Leonardo’s helicopter industrial presence in the US for comprehensive rotorcraft manufacturing, support and training services.

Starting in the mid-1970s, early success led to a continued and increased presence of the company in the challenging light twin segment market on a global scale with a number of versions and newly certified types for the widest array of civil, public service and military applications. New 3 tonne class models include the popular Power and Grand as well as the more recent GrandNew and Trekker aircraft, not to mention more customised military and government variants such as
the LUH and Nexus. With the latest designs, Leonardo introduced modern digital avionics, spacious cabins, enhanced dynamics, new engines and all main undercarriage options reaching a total number of over 1,600 light twin helicopters sold in 50 years to customers in over 50 countries across all continents for operations in all-weather/environmental conditions, over land and sea.





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15 March, 2021

AW109 Trekker enters the Indonesian helicopter market

    The delivery of an AW109 Trekker to FlyKomala grows the presence of Leonardo’s light twins in Indonesia adding to the AW109 Grand and GrandNew models 

 

    FlyKomala will use its new aircraft for a wide range of missions including passenger transport, utility transport, disaster relief, and emergency support duties 

 

    Leonardo’s helicopter fleet in Indonesia counts almost 20 aircrafts to date for corporate, SAR, and utility transport missions

Leonardo announced the delivery of an AW109 Trekker light twin to FlyKomala of Indonesia, marking the entrance of the type into the country’s helicopter market. The aircraft will be used by the operator to carry out a range of missions including passenger transport, utility transport, disaster relief, and emergency support duties. FlyKomala will benefit from best in class performance and payload, large cabin space, a rugged airframe and modern avionics to enhance mission effectiveness and safety in the demanding environmental and weather conditions of the country.  

This latest delivery grows the success of Leonardo’s light twin types in Indonesia adding to the AW109 Grand and GrandNew models. Leonardo’s civil helicopter fleet in Indonesia counts almost 20 aircraft of various types for corporate, SAR, and utility transport tasks. Asia has proven to be one of the most important regions for the AW109 Trekker, chosen in various countries for several applications including EMS, utility, and law enforcement tasks. 

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