RISING INTEREST
Leonardo’s all new Agusta AW09 is already attracting worldwide distributorship agreements and multiple-types orders. Altitudes Global viewed the single engine helicopter at this year’s EBACE.
Helicopters are just one part of Leonardo’s divisions (the others being aircraft, aerostructures, electronics, and cybersecurity) with the Italian multinational company actively engaging in the market, from pilot training to aftersales. Leonardo produces a full range of helicopters covering commercial and defence markets in all the weight categories, however, its latest offering, the AW09 is already securing global distributorship agreements and multiple-types orders after its launch at EBACE 2024.
AW09 ORDERS
Business was intense at Geneva, with Leonardo announcing that Léman Aviation and Sloane will be the official AW09 distributors, having already signed a Preliminary Sales Contract for ten AW09s in late 2023. This deal extended the market reach of the new type to Europe following announcements of partnerships and distribution agreements already made in North and Latin America, and Asia last year.
Also, for Central/Southern Europe, Leonardo and leading private service company Blueberry Aviation are in advance talks to extend their collaboration to include the AW09 in their portfolio and achieve distributorship in these regions.
For the Indian civil helicopter market, Universal Vulkaan Aviation Pte Limited has been appointed as Leonardo distributor signing a preliminary sales contracts for five AW09s. This collaboration underscores the partners’ commitment to providing cutting-edge aviation solutions tailored to the Indian market’s evolving needs.
ON SHOW
Leonardo displayed a full-scale cabin mock-up at EBACE, featuring an exclusive VIP-corporate transport cabin layout and paint scheme as one of the newly developed options. Being an evolution of the Kopter AW09, a clean sheet design based on the original Marenco Swisshelicopter SKYe SH09 concept, the new Agusta puts the pilot and passengers at the forefront, delivering excellent visibility, comfort and space in the largest cabin in the single-engine class. Operators can choose from choose among several elegant yet functional interiors from 4+1 up to 3+3+2 seating layouts depending on flight and view experience preferences, while the airframe architecture provides unobstructed side accessibility and unique rear access. Finishing-wise, Agusta offers its customary high-quality materials, including Desert Dawn, Cedar Woods, Ocean Twilight, and Dark Cosmos.
Technology and safety: The AW09 features a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with Garmin G3000H integrated flight deck for enhanced situational awareness and with built-in connected features.
Operators will benefit from the advantages of dedicated technical support under the tailored Agusta For You service and maintenance package and the Leonardo Helicopters Customer Portal.
Cabin flexibility: The Agusta’s low vibration levels combined with powerful air conditioning and heating system guarantee a comfortable and quiet flight.
AGUSTA AW09 SPECIFICATIONS
Powerplant:…………………………Safran Arriel 2k
……………………………. Dual Fadec turbine engine
Max cruise speed:……….260 km/h – 140 kts
Maximum range: …………….800 km – 430 nm
Maximum endurance: …………………….. 5 hours
Capacity: crew: ………… 1 passengers seating
……………………………………………………………….up to 8
Overall length:…………………….13.13 m – 43 ft
………………………………………………… *rotors turning
Overall height: ……………….3.74 m – 12 ft 3 in
Rotor diameter: ……….. 10.96 m – 35 ft 11 in
Stefano Villanti, SVP Marketing & Sales at Leonardo Helicopters concludes: “The achievements and discussions held at EBACE leading to these multiple announcements testify once more our further growing competitiveness in the VIP-Corporate market, not only in the multi-engine segments but also with the growing level of endorsement for and interest in the AW09 single engine. This means we’re extending the reach of our value proposition to a greater community of passenger transport users and service providers by type and region and we’re doing so at a steady pace. We’re extremely happy with what we see and the level of acceptance we keep receiving with our modern, safe and increasingly sustainable technology and with our exclusive ‘Agusta’ brand.