Story ID: 387
New Orders for Leonardo in Brazil
By: David Donald
Caption: The sale of four AW109s and an AW169 will expand already sizeable Leonardo’s VIP/corporate fleet flying in Brazil.
Word Count: 309
Leonardo’s helicopter division has secured five new orders from Brazilian customers, the company announced at the 2019 LABACE show last month. Valued at nearly €30 million, the sales cover three AW109 Trekker light twins, an AW109 GrandNew, and an AW169 intermediate twin. The sales will take the number of Leonardo helicopters flying in the country to more than 170.

Brazil has proven a good market for the AW109 family. Two of the Trekkers have been ordered in VIP configuration by Icon Aviation, the Brazilian distributor for the type based at São Paulo-Congonhas. The third Trekker, also in VIP configuration, and the GrandNew are for private regional customers.

The Trekker is the latest version of the popular AW109, combining the airframe and large cabin of the AW109 Grand with a skid undercarriage. It is fitted with the latest Genesys Aerosystems avionics suite. More than 60 have now been sold worldwide, including orders received from other Latin American nations, including Chile.

Meanwhile, the latest order for the VIP-configured AW169 will bring the number of this version operating in Brazil to five before the end of 2019. By then another eight AW169s will also be serving on VIP and emergency medical services (EMS) duties elsewhere in Latin America.

Featuring a customizable cabin that can seat up to 10 and that boasts excellent soundproofing and entertainment systems, the AW169 has attracted a good number of VIP/corporate customers. One of the attractions is its auxiliary power unit mode that permits climate control and onboard system use with the rotors at rest.

Global AW169 sales have topped 200, and in addition to VIP/corporate use, the type has been ordered by a range of customers that fly the AW169 for EMS, search and rescue, offshore transport, law enforcement, newsgathering, firefighting, and government/military missions.
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