First flight for new AW109 Trekker light twin

Finmeccania Helicopters has successfully performed the first flight of the AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker – a skid-equipped variant of its popular light twin.

Flown from the manufacturer’s Cascina Costa facility in northern Italy on 2 March, the maiden sortie included an assessment of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207-powered Trekker’s handling and systems.

Two prototypes will be used for the certification effort, says the manufacturer, with the second aircraft due to arrive “soon”.

Finmeccanica Helicopters

The Trekker is the company’s first skid-equipped light twin and is pitched at the utility, aerial work and emergency medical services (EMS) segments.

It has secured orders for 20 units, including US-based EMS operators SevenBar Aviation and Life Flight Network.

Unveiled in early 2014, certification of the 3.2t helicopter was due by the end of that year or by early 2015. The company now expects EASA approval and first delivery by year-end.

The Trekker was initially proposed with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, but this was changed last year to a Genesys Aerosystems product.