Rotorcraft · ICAO A189

Agustawestland AW-189

The Leonardo AW189 is a large twin-engine helicopter built primarily for offshore oil-and-gas transport, search and rescue, and emergency medical services, seating up to around 16 passengers. Its wide cabin and rear-loading clamshell doors make it easier to load stretchers or bulky equipment than helicopters with only side doors. A dedicated search-and-rescue variant carries a rescue hoist, weather radar, and long-range fuel tanks for extended overwater missions. Several European coast guard and air force agencies have adopted it specifically for its combination of range, cabin space, and all-weather capability.

Agustawestland AW-189, example photo from Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Jim van de Burgt from Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Did you know?

The AW189's rear clamshell doors make loading stretchers or bulky equipment easier than helicopters with only side doors.

Specifications

Length14.6 m (48 ft)
Height5 m (16 ft)
Rotor diameter14.6 m (48 ft)
Maximum passengers16
Persons on board20
Maximum take-off weight8 t
Range460 NM (852 km)
Maximum speed165 kt (306 km/h)
Service ceiling16,000 ft (4,877 m)
Fuel capacity2,068 l
Engines2x General Electric CT7-2E1

Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.

In CatchFlights

In CatchFlights the Agustawestland AW-189 starts as a Rare catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you.

A catch counts for the manufacturer Agustawestland, the AW-189 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.

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