+VIDEO Leonardo Helicopters is taking its AW109 Trekker helicopter on a tour of the UK and Ireland configured in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) role.
The AW109 light twin is one of the world’s longest serving helicopters having entered into service in 1976 and been in production ever since. Leonardo says more than 1100 AW109s are in service around the world with 2.5 million flight hours. That’s across a wide range of missions, from VIP transport to cameraships to medevac, search and rescue and military.
The AW109 Trekker was announced by Leonardo (then AgustaWestland) in 2014. It’s based on the AW109 Grand’s longer fuselage, equipped with skids for landing gear, and is powered by a pair of FADEC-equipped Pratt & Whitney PW207 turboshaft engines.
https://youtu.be/q22KTu4ynck
Main characteristics:
- Highest speed, efficient Take-Off & Landing profiles and the wide cabin environment grant a marginal gain in each phase of flight, reducing mission time and improving the patient condition.
- Smart management of the volume available and optimised cabin layout, providing full patient body accessibility and easy reach to any medical equipment. The wide cabin doors (1.4 metres) allow for an ergonomic loading/unloading of the stretcher, lowering the crew’s workload.
- Embedding leading technologies aligned to future market expectations for the next decade and beyond – including pilot aids SVS, HTAWS, Highway-in-the-Sky, option for 3G/4G with Wi-Fi
- Specifically introduced to ensure lowest cost operations in price-sensitive markets. Performance and efficiency reduce annual flying rates and environmental emissions.
The AW109 Trekker has a crash-resistant design for optimised safety and is equipped with modular state-of-the-art Genesys Aerosystems glass cockpit. It allows a tailored fit to different customers’ needs such as single or dual pilot, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
The cabin can be configured to accommodate 1 stretcher and 3/4 medical attendants or 2 stretchers and 2 medical attendants, with entire access to the patient. Large sliding doors ensure easy entry/egress, while the wide interior also accommodates a full suite of advanced life-support equipment.
Spec
Weight (MGW) Internal loads 3,175kg/ 7,000 lb
Weight (MGW) External loads 3,350kg/ 7,385 lb
Powerplant 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C
Overall length* 12.96m/ 42ft 6in *Rotor turning
Overall height 3.60m/ 11ft 9in
Rotor diameter 10.83m/ 35ft 6in
Capacity Crew 1-2 + Passenger 7-6
Max Cruise Speed (SL, ISA, MGW, MCP) 281km/h /152kt
HIGE (ISA, MGW, TOP) 4,609m/ 15,120ft
HOGE (ISA, MGW, TOP) 2,926m/ 9,600ft
Max Range (@5,000ft, ISA, MGW)* 833km/ 450nm *with 634kg usable fuel, no reserve
Max Endurance (@5,000ft, ISA, MGW)* 4h 20min *with 634kg usable fuel, no reserve
