Leonardo’s Production AW09 Helicopter Leads Certification Flight-test Program | Aviation International News

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Leonardo’s Production AW09 Leading Flight-test Program

Prototypes have been retired, and industrialization phase moves forward

AW09 — Leonardo describes the eight-passenger AW09 as the “first all-new design in its weight class for more than 30 years.”

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

March 6, 2026

Progress on the Leonardo AW09 single-engine helicopter continues. The aircraft started life as the Marenco Swisshelicopter SKYe SH09 and then Kopter SH09 before Leonardo purchased the program in 2020 and renamed it the AW09.

Although the OEM had hoped for EASA certification last year, this was hindered by a five-month pause in flight-test activity from late 2024 due to gearbox issues.

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Leonardo AW09

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