AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker takes its first flight

The skid-equipped AW109 Trekker

The AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker has flown for the first time. The aircraft is the skid version of the AW109 light twin.

The flight was from the company’s facility at Cascina Costa in Italy. It was flown by flown by AgustaWestland pilots Giuseppe Afruni and Giuseppe Segreto. The development aircraft was previously an AW109S Grand model.

EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification is expected by year end.

More than 20 aircraft have been ordered by customers worldwide since the model was first announced at Heli-Expo 2014.

Customers include two air ambulance versions for Italian operator Elitaliana, and five for Life Flight Network.

The company released a short video of the first flight.

https://youtu.be/YTd4WyA0rtM