The Agusta 109C 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 A109C
is powered by two Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20R/1 turboshaft engines and is certified
for single pilot IFR operations.
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 From September 1981, the A109A model was superseded by the upgraded A109AII.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
Agusta A109 are made by PZL-Swidnik in Poland.
The 1990-built Agusta A109C c/n 7622 was registered first 9M-TMJ in
Malaysia and entered military service as M38-03. The Agusta A109C was one
of six of the type in military service in Malaysia registered M38-01
to M38-06. After being reteired from military service the aircraft was registered N67SH in the
USA. The aircraft was sold in Austria and registered OE-XSG with Huby Fly.
On 29 May 2002, the A109C was registered HB-ZEE in Switzerland with
Intracom General Machinery. Registration HB-ZEE was cancelled on 29
January 2003 and the aircraft was registered N621MM in the USA with
Meade Helicopters Inc. Trustee on 2 April 2003. Registration N621MM was
cancelled on 27 October 2004 and two days later the aircraft was
registered G-DBOY in the UK with Castle Air Charters. On 13 December
2004, the G-DBOY was transferred to Maison Air and on 28 February 2008,
Herair Ltd., Douglas, Isle of Man, was registered as owner of the G-DBOY. On 20 May 2008, the aircaft was
registered M-DBOY in the Isle of Man aircraft register with Herair Ltd.,
Douglas, Isle of Man, as registered owner.
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