Leonardo recently appointed new international dealers for its single-engine AW09 helicopter (née Kopter SH09). In addition, the company expects the AW09’s order book to possibly grow to 200 by the time the helicopter enters serial production in mid-2024.
Sao Paulo-area-based Gualter Helicopters will distribute the AW09 in Brazil and already holds 20 orders for the helicopter. Principal Gualter Pizzi has 35 years of experience selling more than 700 helicopters across the country. Leonardo characterizes interest in the multirole helicopter in Brazil as “strong.”
In Malaysia, Leonardo has appointed Helitech Asia PTE to distribute the light-single helicopter in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam. Helitech holds orders for 10 AW09s.
Leonardo also recently signed an agreement with U.S.-based Metro Aviation to develop air ambulance interiors for the AW09 and support its introduction into the American market. Leonardo is positioning the AW09 to compete with light twins from other manufacturers in the air ambulance space.
Following a change of engine suppliers, the AW09 made its first flight in March powered by the Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2K. Since acquiring the AW09 program, Leonardo has made numerous design changes to the helicopter, including an elongated mast, updated flight controls, Garmin G3000H avionics, revised upper cowlings, and new main rotor hub and blades. Leonardo eventually plans to offer the AW09 with a hybrid powertrain.