Leonardo 27 May 2018
Leonardo has been present with its helicopters in the Executive and Private Transport segment since the 1970s, when it established itself in the market with the A109 model. Today, the Company continues to be a world leader in this segment thanks to its design strategy and product features, which ensure excellent performance in terms of speed, autonomy, comfort and space without foregoing elegance and style. The high safety and navigation technology levels of Leonardo’s helicopters meet the latest certification standards. Furthermore, the helicopters are highly customisable, as required by the customers of this specific market.
Leonardo's continuing investment in innovation guarantees the development of new models, with a worldwide network of service and training centres. One of the most innovative models is the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft: its unique flight characteristics combine the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft into one aircraft. Taking off and landing vertically, it can carry up to nine passengers, flying above adverse weather conditions in a pressurised cabin at twice the speed and range typical of helicopters. The AW609 represents the next generation of aircraft for Executive and Private Transport. Heliports can be used for both take-off and landing, thus avoiding congested airports and ensuring significant time saving for passengers. The tiltrotor will allow passengers to travel from one location to another faster than ever. The VIP configuration of the AW609 features all the requirements appreciated by the customers of this market segment.
With the AW609, Leonardo introduces a new way to operate for various types of missions, including search and rescue, emergency medical services, offshore transport, and law enforcement. This has been recently confirmed by the agreement signed between Leonardo and Era Group, one of the largest helicopter operators in the world. Era Group intends to launch the AW609 tiltrotor in the U.S. civil aviation market in a wide range of missions.