The FAA has granted type certification approval for Leonardo’s AW109 Trekker light twin. The aircraft shares the airframe and Fadec Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C engines of the AW109 Grand but substitutes fixed landing skids and a Genesys Aerosystems glass cockpit.
The Trekker’s cabin can accommodate up to six passengers or one stretcher with three to four medical attendants or two stretchers and two medical attendants. The helicopter can be configured for a variety of missions from single-pilot VFR to dual-pilot IFR operations and features a crash-resistant fuel system, Category A/Class 1 performance, and a 30-minute run-dry main gearbox. Optional equipment includes cargo hook, external rescue hoist, searchlight, external loudspeakers, forward-looking infrared (FLIR), video downlink, snow skis, emergency floats, and a wide variety of interior layouts.
Leonardo said it holds orders for more than 60 Trekkers from customers in Europe, North and Latin America, and Asia and that the helicopter is suitable for law enforcement, emergency medical, utility, and passenger service operators. FAA certification followed EASA approval in late 2017.