AW109 Trekker Light Twin-Engine Helicopter

The AW109 Trekker was unveiled at Heli Expo 2014. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.

AW109Trekker is a new twin-engine helicopter launched by AgustaWestland. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.

The deliveries of AW109 Trekker will begin in 2015. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.

AW109 Trekker is AgustaWestland’s first light twin-engine helicopter with fixed landing skids. Configured for a wide range of roles, the AW109 Trekker can be used to perform emergency medical services (EMS), search-and-rescue, law enforcement, surveillance, passenger transport, utility and aerial work operations.

The light twin turbine helicopter was introduced at Heli Expo 2014 in Anaheim, California, US. The AW109 Trekker is scheduled to be certificated later in 2014 and will be delivered from the company’s factory in Philadelphia in early 2015.

AW109 Trekker design and features

The AW109 Trekker is based on the AW109/Grand range of helicopters. The helicopter features cocoon-type airframe, skid landing gear, the same size cabin as the Grand/GrandNew versions, and crash resistant fuel system.

The helicopter can be equipped with 1,400kg cargo hook, 272kg external rescue hoist, searchlight, external loudspeakers, forward looking infrared radar (FLIR), video downlink, snow skis and emergency floats to meet various operational requirements.

The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 3,175kg without external load and 3,200kg with external loads, while the useful load is more than 1,500kg.

Cockpit and avionics

The AW109 Trekker incorporates a modern Garmin G1000HTM glass cockpit, which is designed for single pilot operation. The cockpit features two 10.4in display units, a Primary Flight Display (PFD) and a Multi-Function Display (MFD).

The ergonomically designed high visibility cockpit offers pilots only the required data, thus minimising their workload. The helicopter also offers an option for a third 10.4in screen, which can be used as the co-pilot’s PFD.

The helicopter is equipped with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), Highway In The Sky (HITS), and Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) to offer full terrain and obstacle awareness in low visibility flying scenario.

It has three-axis autopilot, Flight Director, moving map, flight management system (FMS), dual VHF/AM radios, dual Very high-frequency OmniRange (VOR), dual global positioning system (GPS), electronic standby instrument system (ESIS) and Mode S transponder. The three dimensional guidance and detailed terrain maps provided by the helicopter improve the pilot’s operating capabilities.

Cabin features

The cabin can accommodate up to six passengers or one stretcher with three/four medical attendants, or two stretchers and two medical attendants while the cockpit can accommodate an additional passenger in case of emergency.

The internal layout of the helicopter can be easily configured to cater to mission specific applications such as EMS, search-and-rescue (SAR), law enforcement, surveillance, and passenger transport.

Engine

The lightweight Trekker helicopter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C turboshaft engines. Each engine generates a maximum power output of 815shp. The engines are equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system.

Performance

The Trekker can cruise at a speed of 296km/h. The modular five-cell fuel system provides a maximum range of 824km. The helicopter can stay in the air for up to four hours and 20 minutes.

The multi-purpose helicopter also delivers A / Class 1 performance even in hot environments up to ISA+20°C.