Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Leonardo AW09 composite single-engine helicopter

Matt Thurber

Leonardo’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-02-12/production-aw09-leading-flight-testing-program">AW09</a> is a step closer to entry into service after EASA granted type certification for the Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2K that powers the light-single helicopter.
According to Safran, the 1,000-shp-class engine has dual-channel Fadec and an engine auxiliary control box that reduces pilot workload. A two-stage compressor comprising one axial and one centrifugal stage “delivers high compressor efficiency in a particularly compact package,” the French manufacturer said, while the “annular combustion chamber ensures clean and efficient fuel combustion.”
Safran has manufactured more than 15,500 Arriel engines for 40 different helicopter types, and these have amassed more than 66 million flight hours. Bench testing of the Arriel 2K started in 2022, and it first flew on the AW09 in March 2023. It has logged more than 4,100 test hours and 600 in flight.
“The certification of the Arriel 2K marks another defining step towards the entry into service of the AW09,” Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet commented. “All the teams at Safran Helicopter Engines are ready to support Leonardo and its customers in bringing this brand-new helicopter into service.”

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In this article

Leonardo AW09

Safran Helicopter Engines

Leonardo

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