- News
- Jun 24, 2024
- 3 min read
EASA Begins AW09 Helicopter Flight Testing
EASA test pilots have begun certification flights on the AW09 helicopter being developed by Leonardo’s Swiss subsidiary Kopter. The company intends to complete CS-27 type certification in 2025.
EASA test pilots have begun certification flights on the AW09 helicopter being developed by Leonardo’s Swiss subsidiary Kopter. The company intends to complete type certification under CS-27 rules in 2025.
Kopter is using a pair of pre-production models, PS4 and PS5, for flight testing and expects to begin flying the first production version, PS6, at the end of this year. In September 2022, the company retired the earlier PS3 prototype after 387 flights with this version of the single-engine helicopter, powered by Safran’s 1,000 hp Arriel 2K turboshaft engine.
In late May, Kopter chief test pilot Richard Grant said that the two test aircraft had already completed about 130 flights, exploring a limited altitude range of up to 16,000 feet. He said the team was preparing to climb higher and test characteristics such as maximum dive speed.
“We look forward to working closely with EASA on future flight evaluations, which will be conducted at key points in the program to confirm our test results and ensure that the AW09 meets all necessary certification requirements,” a Leonardo representative said today in a social media post.
Kopter now has more than 100 orders for the AW109 following the announcement of a new distribution agreement with India’s Universal Vulkaan Aviation in May. The company has also established sales partnerships with Léman Aviation and Sloane.
EASA test pilots have begun certification flights on the AW09 helicopter being developed by Leonardo’s Swiss subsidiary Kopter. The company intends to complete type certification under CS-27 rules in 2025.
Kopter is using a pair of pre-production models, PS4 and PS5, for flight testing and expects to begin flying the first production version, PS6, at the end of this year. In September 2022, the company retired the earlier PS3 prototype after 387 flights with this version of the single-engine helicopter, powered by Safran’s 1,000 hp Arriel 2K turboshaft engine.
In late May, Kopter chief test pilot Richard Grant said that the two test aircraft had already completed about 130 flights, exploring a limited altitude range of up to 16,000 feet. He said the team was preparing to climb higher and test characteristics such as maximum dive speed.
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“We look forward to working closely with EASA on future flight evaluations, which will be conducted at key points in the program to confirm our test results and ensure that the AW09 meets all necessary certification requirements,” a Leonardo representative said today in a social media post.
Kopter now has more than 100 orders for the AW109 following the announcement of a new distribution agreement with India’s Universal Vulkaan Aviation in May. The company has also established sales partnerships with Léman Aviation and Sloane.
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