In 1967, Agusta S.p.A. started the development of the Agusta A109 as a single-engined commercial helicopter. The helicopter
was intended to have a Turbomeca Astazou or UACL PT6B turbine engine. During the development of the helicopter it was realised
that a twin-engine design was needed and from 1969, the aircraft was re-designed as twin-engined helicopter. Final design work
of parts and equipment began in 1970, and detailed construction work was started where originally two Allison 250-C14 turboshaft
engines were chosen for the aircraft. On 4 August 1971, the first of four A109 prototypes made its maiden flight at the Agusta
Cascina Costa di Samarata plant near Varese in Italy. The A109 was powered by two Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engines.
ENAC certification for the Agusta A109 was awarded on 28 May 1975. VFR certification was awarded on 1 June 1975.
Series production of the A109 already begun in 1974 and the first production deliveries took place in late 1976.
The first production model was the A109A, powered by two Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engines. ENAC certification
for the Agusta A109A was awarded on 17 September 1976. The A109A differs from the A109 model for the installation of Allison
250-C20B Turbo Engines. From September 1981, the A109A model was superseded by the upgraded A109AII.
The A109AII differs from the A109A model for the possibility of installing of Allison 250-C20B or Allison 250-C20R/1 Turbo Engines.
As a result engine-out performance has been improved at high altitudes, and in hot climates. ENAC certification for the Agusta A109AII
was awarded on 2 June 1981. A military version of the A109A with fixed undercarriage and lenthened nose for the Italian Army
was named A109A EOA "Hirundo". A further development of the A109 is the A109C with improved transmission system, composite main rotor,
stronger landing gear, increased Maximum AUW and 'wide body' cabin, composite main rotor blades and increased Maximum AUW.
ENAC certification for the Agusta A109C was awarded on 20 June 1989. Fuselages of the Agusta A109s are made by PZL-Swidnik in Poland.
The Agusta 109S Grand is light-weight twin-engine multi-role helicopter with four composite main rotor blades, articulated main rotor,
twin blades teetering tail rotor, tricycle retractable landing gear and one pilot and seven passengers capacity. The Agusta A109S
is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C turboshaft engines and is certified for single pilot IFR operations. This helicopter type
is mostly operated for passenger transport (executive also) and emergency medical service (EMS) by civil operators. The A109S is a further
variant of the Agusta A109 with a larger fuselage. A109S is the official designation: AW109S Grand; AW109S Trekker, etc. are the commercial
names. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the A109 helicopters is A109.
On 30 August 2007, Agusta A109S Grand s/n 22047 was registered EI-NBG in Ireland with A.Logue and W.Moffett, Dublin.
On 10 March 2011, registration EI-NBG was cancelled as exported to the USA. The helicopter was not registered in the USA and on 26 May 2011,
the A109S Grand was restored as EI-NBG with R. Steele, Dublin. On 28 July 2011, registration EI-NBG was cancelled again and the same day the
helicopter was registered N109GH in the USA with General Helicopters International, Wilmington (DE). On 30 August 2011, registration N109GH
was cancelled as exported to Germany. On 26 September 2011, the the 2007-built helicopter was registered D-HKTG in Germany with KTG Air,
Schönhagen. On 28 June 2017, the Agusta A109S Grand was registered G-CKIH in the UK with Heli Delta BV, Sint Agatha in the Netherlands. The
Agusta A109S Grand G-CKIH was offered for sale soon, and stored at heliport Amsterdam (EHHA) and the Heli Holland heliport near Emmen in the Netherlands,
until the G-CKIH was sold. On 30 January 2024, Agusta A109S Grand G-CKIH was registered with its new owner: Trueblue Ltd., London. On 16 March 2016,
Agusta A109S Grand D-HKTG was seen at Flugplatz Emden (EDWE).
Luchtvaart déjà vu
