Leonardo Aw169

Twin Turboshaft

The Leonardo AW169 is a modern twin-engine medium helicopter that entered service in 2015, designed to bridge the gap between light singles and heavy twins in the 4.6-ton class. Built by Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland) in Italy, the AW169 was developed from a clean sheet to meet demanding offshore oil-and-gas transport requirements, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and corporate transport missions. Its spacious cabin accommodates up to ten passengers or two stretchers plus medical crew, and the type features a five-bladed fully articulated rotor system, retractable tricycle landing gear, and dual Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A turboshaft engines rated at 1,000 shaft horsepower each. What sets the AW169 apart in its class is its advanced fly-by-wire flight control system with multiple redundancy, making it one of the first civil helicopters in this weight category to offer such technology. The cockpit features a four-axis autopilot and large-format touchscreen displays derived from the larger AW139 and AW189 models, providing exceptional situational awareness and reduced pilot workload. Maximum cruise speed reaches 167 knots with a never-exceed speed of 155 knots, and the type can operate at altitudes up to 20,000 feet with a service ceiling advantage over many competitors. Range extends to approximately 450 nautical miles with standard fuel, making it well-suited for offshore operations and intercity transport. The AW169 has found particular success in the emergency medical services market across Europe and North America, where its combination of speed, range, and cabin volume allows for advanced life-support equipment and medical teams. Military and government operators have also adopted the type for light utility, training, and special operations support roles, with variants serving in the Italian Army and other armed forces. The helicopter's modular design allows rapid reconfiguration between missions, and its relatively low operating costs compared to heavier twins have made it attractive to corporate operators and air ambulance providers seeking modern avionics and performance without the expense of larger platforms. SkyMeter has tracked 438 flights across 122 airframes and 15 operators, with Heli Service International the largest observed operator.