Helicopters
Leonardo A109C
A light twin-engine helicopter for up to seven passengers, with retractable landing gear and IFR certification when the IFR installation is fitted.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Specifications checked against manufacturer and type certificate data · Last updated 14 September 2026
At a glance
Leonardo A109C specifications
Speed and range are not shown: no manufacturer figure for the A109C survives, and later A109 variants are not comparable.
Where it fits
The twin with retractable gear
The A109C was built by Agusta, now Leonardo Helicopters, and certified in June 1989. It flies on two Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20R/1 turbines, with composite main rotor blades and a higher maximum weight than the A109AII before it.
Its certification basis includes Category A engine isolation, useful on over-water sectors, and it sits on retractable tricycle landing gear. With the IFR installation fitted, it is certified for IFR with one or two pilots.
The type certificate notes the A109C is no longer in production. Later A109 models include the A109K2, the A109E Power, the A109S Grand and the AW109SP GrandNew.
Trips with heavy luggage, or clients who want a published range to plan against. The type certificate allows 150 kg of baggage, and no manufacturer range survives for this variant. For measured holds the H130 is the better tool; for a current twin with published range, the H135.
Missions
What the desk books it for
Island transfers with a second engine
Mainland Greece to the Cyclades on two engines, for clients who want twin-engine redundancy over open water. The desk plans each leg from the operator's own data for the specific aircraft.
Seven passengers in one twin
The type certificate allows one pilot and seven passengers, so a larger party can fly together on two engines, subject to the layout and weights of the specific aircraft.
Days when the weather is marginal
With the IFR installation fitted it is certified for IFR with one or two pilots. The desk confirms the installation and the pilot's approvals before it quotes.
Coast and villa transfers
Short sectors in Italy and along the Riviera to approved landing sites, with the fuel plan built from the flight manual of the aircraft offered.
Where it flies
Routes the desk flies on the A109C
Sectors from our Athens and Mykonos route guides. We do not publish a range for the A109C, so the desk confirms each sector against the operator's performance data for the specific aircraft before it quotes.
Cabin and baggage
Seven seats and a 150 kg baggage allowance
The European type certificate allows one pilot and seven passengers. Charter layouts may carry fewer, so the desk confirms the seat count of the specific aircraft before it quotes.
Baggage is limited to 150 kg under the type certificate. No volume is published, so tell the desk the bag count, sizes and rough weights when you enquire.
With a full cabin, the bags are what decide the trip. If the luggage will not fit the allowance, the desk will quote a helicopter with measured holds alongside it.
Performance and airports
Two engines, IFR and landing sites
We do not state a cruise speed or range for the A109C: no manufacturer figure for this variant survives, and later A109 models are not comparable. It carries 550 litres of usable fuel, its maximum takeoff weight is 2,720 kg, and the operator plans every leg from the flight manual.
On Greek island and Riviera transfers the sectors are short and often over water, where the second engine matters. With the IFR installation fitted it is certified for IFR, so the desk plans weather minima for the specific aircraft and pilot.
Villa lawns, hotel pads and private sites each need approval before a helicopter can land there. The desk checks the landing site, the pilot's approvals and the forecast for the specific A109C before a quote goes out.
Compare the class
A109C against the other helicopters
How the A109C lines up against the other helicopters we cover. The H135 and AS355 are twins with published range and speed, and the H130 carries more measured baggage on one engine; the A109C's case is seven seats on two engines with retractable gear.
| Aircraft | Passengers | Range | Cruise | Engines | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo A109CThis aircraft | Up to 7 | n/a | n/a | Twin turbine | 150 kg |
| Airbus H130 | Up to 7 | 327 NM | 128 kts | Single turbine | 39 cu ft |
| Bell 407 | Up to 6 | 337 NM | 133 kts | Single turbine | 16 cu ft |
| Airbus AS350 Ecureuil | Up to 5 | 340 NM | 136 kts | Single turbine | 35 cu ft |
| Airbus H135 | Up to 6 | 342 NM | 136 kts | Twin turbine | None |
| Robinson R44 | Up to 3 | 350 NM | 109 kts | Single piston | Under-seat only |
| Robinson R66 | Up to 4 | 350 NM | 110 kts | Single turbine | 18 cu ft |
| Airbus H120 | Up to 4 | 383 NM | 120 kts | Single turbine | 28 cu ft |
| Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2 | Up to 5 | 395 NM | 120 kts | Twin turbine | 33 cu ft |
Chartering with Icarus Jet
How we charter the A109C
We source A109Cs from operators vetted and approved for passenger transport, and the operator's name is on the quote. The desk checks the pilot's approvals, the landing sites at both ends and the weather minima for the flight before it checks availability, so the aircraft offered is one that genuinely fits the trip.
Quotes are all-in and itemised: aircraft and pilot, positioning, landing and handling, fuel and taxes, with nothing added after the flight that was not on the page. The number depends on where the nearest suitable helicopter is based, the dates and the landing sites, which is why we price your actual trip rather than publish a rate.
Questions
A109C questions the desk gets
How far can an A109C fly?
We do not publish a range for the A109C, because no manufacturer figure for this variant survives and later A109 models are not comparable. It carries 550 litres of usable fuel, and the operator plans each leg from the flight manual of the specific aircraft.
How many passengers does an A109C carry?
The type certificate allows one pilot and seven passengers. Charter layouts may carry fewer, so the desk confirms the seat count before it quotes.
What is the seating like?
The type certificate allows up to seven passenger seats, and the layout varies by aircraft. The desk will send the seating plan of the aircraft offered.
How much luggage fits in an A109C?
The type certificate allows 150 kg of baggage, and no volume is published. Tell the desk the bag count and sizes when you enquire, so the load is planned before the aircraft is offered.
Is the A109C a twin-engine helicopter?
Yes. It flies on two Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C20R/1 turbines, and its certification basis includes Category A engine isolation, useful on over-water sectors.
Can an A109C fly in cloud?
When the IFR installation is fitted, it is certified for IFR with one or two pilots. Without it, the aircraft flies day and night VFR, so the desk confirms which applies to the specific aircraft.
What replaced the A109C?
The A109C is no longer in production. Later A109 models include the A109K2, A109E Power, A109S Grand and AW109SP GrandNew, which are different aircraft with their own figures.
Related
Around the A109C
Get your number
Charter the A109C
Send the route, the dates and the passengers. The desk checks range and baggage against the trip, then comes back with the aircraft that genuinely fit and an itemised quote.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203. The desk is staffed 24/7.
Comparing aircraft? Browse the Aircraft Guides in the Aviation Library, 600+ guides on chartering and operations.