Leonardo AW169: size, weight and what it needs to land

Information only, not legal advice. The pilot in command has the final say on whether a landing is safe, and can decline a site on the day, even after it was agreed. Operators, insurers and the landowner may ask for more than anything described here. Check the official sources linked on this page.

At a glance

11passengers (maximum figure)

4,600 kgmaximum take-off weight

12.12 mmain rotor diameter

twinengine layout

Leonardo AW169 is made by Leonardo Helicopters. Whether it is used on UK charter flights: Verify. The figures below are the manufacturer’s or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) type-certificate data; each is tagged verified on the cited document or Verify.

The figures

Item	Figure
Engines	2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A (PW210A1 with enhanced-performance kit) (AW169)
Passengers (maximum, not a typical charter layout)	11 (AW169)
Typical cruise speed	144 kt (AW169)
Range	424 nm (AW169)
Main rotor diameter	12.12 m (AW169)
Overall length, rotors turning	14.65 m (AW169)
Overall height	4.5 m (AW169)
Maximum take-off weight	4600 kg (AW169 wheeled (4,800 kg with kit))

Item

Figure

Engines

2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A (PW210A1 with enhanced-performance kit) (AW169)

Passengers (maximum, not a typical charter layout)

11 (AW169)

Typical cruise speed

144 kt (AW169)

Range

424 nm (AW169)

Main rotor diameter

12.12 m (AW169)

Overall length, rotors turning

14.65 m (AW169)

Overall height

4.5 m (AW169)

Maximum take-off weight

4600 kg (AW169 wheeled (4,800 kg with kit))

Figures vary by variant and weight option. Passenger numbers are a manufacturer or EASA maximum; VIP layouts carry fewer. Overall length with the rotors turning is the figure used to size a landing area and was found only for some types.

What this means for a private landing site

Landing area. UK guidance sizes landing areas by “D”, the helicopter’s largest dimension with the rotors turning. For this type D is at least the 12.12 m rotor diameter, and the manufacturer gives 14.65 m overall length. The CAA’s guide for pleasure-flying and feeder sites (CAP 2543, paragraphs 26 to 28) asks for a landing and take-off area at least 1.5D or 24 m wide and a touchdown circle at least 0.83D. Read in the source We did not confirm a minimum for other kinds of private site Verify; the operator and pilot decide.
Surface loading. The maximum take-off weight is 4,600 kg (AW169 wheeled (4,800 kg with kit)). The CAA hospital guide sets pad strength by the heaviest helicopter that will use it (CAP 1264, 3.1). See landing surfaces.
Downwash and noise. We found no source statement of downwash or noise figures for this type. Verify Heavier helicopters move more air; keep the area clear of loose objects and people.
Building a pad. See the guide to building a helicopter pad at home for permission, rules and space.
Night. Night use depends on the site survey and lighting, not on the type alone. See night landings.

Single or twin. This is twin-engine. UK guidance says helicopters must use Performance Class 1 to operate in congested areas, and that single-engine helicopters under Part CAT cannot use congested-area sites (CAP 3043, 3.3). Read in the source

Sites in this guide that may be big enough

These airfields state a helicopter or visitor policy on their own websites and, in open data (OurAirports), have a runway at least 19 m long and wide (1.5 times the rotor diameter, which is the lowest the area could be). This is size only. It does not mean the airfield accepts this type: contact it first.

Dunsfold Aerodrome 1880 m runway
Tibenham Airfield 1600 m runway
Turweston Aerodrome 1256 m runway
Bedford Aerodrome 1095 m runway
Dunkeswell Airfield 968 m runway
Easterton Glider Field 950 m runway
Isle of Wight/Sandown Airport 884 m runway
Sleap Airfield 799 m runway

See also all heliports, airfields and venues. Heliport sizes are not in open data.

More helicopter types

Questions and answers

How many passengers does the Leonardo AW169 carry?

The maximum figure we could verify is 11 (TCDS: 10 cabin + 1 cockpit (single pilot). Leonardo page: up to 8 (VIP)). A charter cabin usually has fewer seats.

How much space does a Leonardo AW169 need to land?

It depends on the helicopter’s overall size with the rotors turning (the main rotor alone is 12.12 m across), the surface, the obstacles and the operator’s own rules. UK guidance for pleasure-flying and feeder sites asks for a landing and take-off area at least 1.5D wide. The pilot in command decides on the day.

Is the Leonardo AW169 single or twin-engine?

It is twin-engine (2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A (PW210A1 with enhanced-performance kit)).

How heavy is a Leonardo AW169?

Maximum take-off weight is 4,600 kg (AW169 wheeled (4,800 kg with kit)), per EASA TCDS R.509 III.12; Leonardo page agrees.

Official sources

Where a line is tagged Verify we could not read the primary text, or the source does not state it. Treat it as unconfirmed until you have checked.