Aircraft overview

The Leonardo Helicopters AW109 / A109 is a light twin-engine helicopter originally developed by Agusta, with first flight in 1971 and customer deliveries beginning in the mid-1970s. The line continues under the Leonardo name through later AW109 variants. It is used for corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, utility, offshore support, and light VIP missions. The type matters in the used market because it combines twin-engine redundancy, high cruise speed, retractable landing gear on most variants, and a compact cabin footprint suitable for both private and public-service operations.

Performance & specifications

Performance varies by variant, but later AW109 models such as the A109E Power, A109S Grand, and AW109SP GrandNew typically cruise in the mid-140s to mid-150s knots. Published maximum ranges for common configurations are generally around 400 nautical miles, depending on fuel, equipment, reserves, and payload. Service ceiling for many variants is published up to about 20,000 feet. Useful load depends heavily on model, interior, mission equipment, and optional fuel, so aircraft-specific weight-and-balance records are essential. Powerplants have included Rolls-Royce/Allison 250-series engines on earlier aircraft, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206/PW207-series engines on later civil models, and Turbomeca/ Safran Arrius engines on some versions.

Cabin & avionics

The AW109 / A109 cabin is typically arranged for one or two pilots and up to six or seven passengers, although executive interiors more commonly seat four to six in club or forward-facing layouts. EMS and police aircraft may have stretcher, sensor, hoist, or communications installations that materially affect empty weight and resale appeal. Avionics differ widely by age and upgrade history. Earlier A109A, A109C, and A109E aircraft may have analog or mixed EFIS panels with later Garmin GTN or similar retrofit navigation equipment. Newer AW109SP GrandNew aircraft introduced a modern glass cockpit with integrated displays, digital autopilot options, and synthetic-vision capability depending on specification.

Buying & value

Key buying considerations include engine model and remaining time, gearbox and rotor component lives, damage history, corrosion exposure, landing gear maintenance, autopilot status, and whether the aircraft has current IFR, EMS, VIP, or law-enforcement equipment. Variant identity is important: A109A and A109C aircraft are older and usually lower-priced; A109E Power models are common corporate and EMS choices; A109S Grand offers a stretched cabin; AW109SP GrandNew brings newer avionics and performance refinements. In the used market, the Leonardo Helicopters AW109 / A109 sits above single-engine turbine helicopters in capability and operating cost, and below larger twin helicopters in cabin volume and mission payload.