Leonardo has selected Tokyo-based Aero Facility as a distributor for the AW09 helicopter being developed by its Kopter subsidiary in Mollis, Switzerland. Aero Facility ordered six AW09s in March 2023 and, as a distributor, will be responsible for all commercial applications for the AW09 in Japan.
Aero Facility has been building heliports and helidecks for 30 years, supplying ancillary equipment, and selling and maintaining helicopters and airplanes. There are about 160 helicopters operating in Japan conducting law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic newsgathering, and maritime utility operations.
The composite-fuselage, eight-passenger AW09 brings new capabilities into the light single-engine rotorcraft category, including rear-loading through clamshell doors, low-vibration rotor system, and shrouded tailrotor. It also features touchscreen Garmin G3000H avionics and is powered by a 1,000-shp Safran Arriel 2K engine.
Maximum range is 432 nm and endurance more than five hours. With a cruise speed of 140 knots, the AW09 will have a maximum takeoff weight of 6,284 pounds and be able to lift an external load of 3,300 pounds.