A109
The sleek Agusta A109 will soon be part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s next generation of aircraft.
Five A109 training and light utility helicopters will be introduced into the RNZAF fleet and will be used for training pilots and helicopter crewmen who will later fly the NH90 Medium Utility Helicopter and the SH-2G Seasprite Naval helicopter.
The A109 has an advanced ‘glass’ flight deck, flight management system and a full suite of instrument flying and navigation systems making it an excellent introduction to the new technology that will be a mark of the future rotary wing fleet.
The five A109 helicopters will be introduced to service through the Helicopter Transition Unit at Ohakea, which is expected to have its first helicopter for training the instructors and operational test and evaluation at the end of this year.
The aircraft is only part of the training system, with a flight simulator being used to provide a considerable portion of the training without the pilots ever getting airborne. The local Manawatu environment has been replicated, with particular attention paid to the architecture of local buildings and landmarks, ensuring that the experience for trainee pilots is totally immersive.
This system is due to be delivered to New Zealand in the latter half of 2011 and represents a significant ‘step up’ into 21st century synthetic training for the RNZAF.
Specifications
| Crew: |
2 Pilots; 1 or 2 Crew |
| Speed (Max Cruise): |
290 kph |
| Max All Up Weight: |
3175 kg |
| Engines: |
2 x Turbomeca Arrius 2K2 |
| Passengers (non tactical): |
Up to 5 in addition to 2 pilots and 1 crew |
| Soldiers: |
3 – 4 in addition to 2 pilots and 1 crew |
| Internal Load: |
330 kg (3 crew + 1 hr fuel with 30 min reserve) |
| Hook: |
500 kg (over 50km distance) 1000 kg (max) |
| Dimensions (Rotors Turning): |
12.94 m long, 10.83 m wide, 3.4 m high |
| Dimensions (Folded): |
11.43 m long, 2.88 m wide, 3.4 m high |
| Endurance: |
3 Hrs 30 Mins |
| Ferry Range: |
650 km |