The Leonardo AW169 is a large multi-role utility twin-turboshaft Transport Category helicopter in the 4.6 tonne class,
accommodating 8 passengers and 1 or 2 crew. The AW169 is a conventional configuration helicopter having a 5-bladed fully
articulated interblade main rotor, an antitorque three bladed fully articulated tail rotor and a tricycle retractable wheel
landing gear. The AW169 has a fully digital glass cockpit. Development of the aircraft started in 2010 as the AgustaWestland AW169;
a derivative of the successful six ton AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, sharing a large level of commonality across both components
and the cockpit configuration. The AW169 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A Fadec-controlled turbine engines. The
first of three prototypes AW169 (AC1 c/n 69002) I-EASF flew first at the Agusta Cascina Costa di Samarata plant in Italy, on 10 May 2012.
The pre-serie helicopter (AC4 c/n 69005) I-AWCM flew on 31 January 2013. EASA certification was awarded on 15 July 2015. In January 2015,
the assembly of the first production aircraft (c/n 69006) began in Vergiate, Italy. Leonardeo has dropped its plans to build the AW169 in
the USA. The militairy variant of the AW169. Over 180 AW169 helicopters have now been ordered by customers all over the world. The ICAO
Aircraft Type Designator with Wake Category used to classify aircraft types is A169 for the AW169 helicopters.
On 1 January 2016, the name AgustaWestland was dropped while Finmeccanica S.p.a., the parent company of AgustaWestland, changed to a one
company operation consolidating all its subsidiaries beneath one united name. From 28 April 2016, Finmeccanica S.p.a. changed its company name to Leonardo S.p.a.
On 10 February 2016, the first of six AW169 helicopters ordered by EMS-service operator Specialists Aviation Services was delivered.
This AW169 s/n 69014 was testflown with Finmeccanica Helicopter Division test-registration I-RAIS and was registered G-KSST in the UK with Specialists
Aviation Services ltd., Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, on 8 February 2016. The G-KSST is operated for the Kent, Surrey & Sussex
Air Ambulance Trust (KSSAAT), an independent charitable Air Ambulance operator in South East England, and replaces one of the two older
MD902 helicopters in service. The helicopter is equipped with a nose-mounted Trakkabeam searchlight and a forward-looking tailfin camera.
On 9 October 2016, AW169 G-KSST was seen in its Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance colors at Heliport Amsterdam (EHHA)
when on its way to Helitech International 2016 in the RAI in Amsterdam.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
