(a) Realistic fast cruise speed at max and mid weights

138kts mid weight 145 light

(b) Typical payload - how many POB with full fuel

Most powers seem to come in between 2020kgs-2080kgs basic empty

Elite airframe is 660kgs of fuel @ 220kgs/hour some do 210kgs

Work the maths for fuel V POB

(c) Endurance at fast cruise with say 20% VFR reserve
Well that depends on how much fuel
Never looked at power setting for endurance (the machine just wants to fly fast)

(d) Pros/cons of Elite version
Pros are really for the pax
Dampened gearbox
Reclined back seat
Step into cabin
Sound proofing
Don’t forget all 109s are now made in the Elite airframe but don’t contain
Gear box and sound features & step

(e) Any options considered essential
Nothing is essential but the following are nice

TAS
Collins Radio Fit
Bendix KMD 550 (might be standard)
The GPS is a handful but reliable

(f) Maintenance man hours/flying hour
100 hr check
50hr swash plate lube
25hr Tail rotor check depends on old or new type blades
All new machines now come with the composite blades


(g) Comments on reliability ref unscheduled maintenance/defects

Reliability I have to consider excellent
Like with any machine you can have unscheduled maintenance

Hope that helps
I am sure there is more but that’s what springs to mind
If some of my information is incorrect (my apologies) I am sure there are other 109 guys out there that will correct it.

OEI

Thanks, that's helpful. Any other comments appreciated!

operator survey in BCA oct 2005 issue!
also looking at the 109power to replace company mount.
educating boss with pros and cons.

Agusta 109
 

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone could hazzard a guess as to what the the average running cost of an agusta 109 would be not including pilots fee or hangerage just the maintenence costs and the fuel.. All i am looking for is a rough answer.. and i am besed in the uk and irish market.. if that makes any diffrence to the costs.


Many thanks,

Bell 430

Why not give the nice folks at Sloane a ring? They're an Augusta distributer, and they operate several A109s, too.

http://www.sloanehelicopters.com

Treat Dealer's running cost estimates with a pinch of salt though.........

The A109 Power should have DOC's in the region of $600 per hour.

SC

The absolutely best way to compare operating costs is to examine the wet lease rate for a machine, from the same operator. Excepting bargains that could be caused by temporary situations (like lost contracts) the operators know within a few percent what it costs, and their lease rates reflect that. The profit motive does not jack up the rates so much that the underlying cost is obscured, frankly, small operators might have difficulty getting their cost down to the price the big operators charge.

thanks for that.....

Sir Cumference..........You must have a terrific 'Bean Counter'...... That is approximately €500. I think we could operate half the airframe and one engine (at idle) for that......where do you get your energy????
Bell 430......A109.....DOC's are varied especially regarding the model....it's a large gap between a A109A and a A109 Grande...........Also, the most important denominator is the Pilot, then the hours, then the age of the Heli..................my opinion!:}

Fly Safe Bell 430

LOW FUEL?
 

I´m not familiar with the A109C, therefore one question:
How many minutes of fuel are left ( according to FM ) on this H/C, when the LOW FUEL Warning light illuminates

Many thanks
skadi

Easy answer ........ NOT ENOUGH!

:ugh:

Skadi,

I'm fairly sure that the 109C has the same fuel cells as the 109AII, where the low fuel indicators illuminate when the fuel in each tank is approximately 30kg. The time remaining would then depend on the power setting and the fuel burn: the flight manual says:

"When each engine is drawing fuel from its tank, the remaining flight duration is approximately 15 minutes from caution light illumination. When both engines are drawing fuel from one tank, the remaining flight duration is approximately 6 minutes from caution light illumination."

Happier A109E news: 32 (Royal) Sqn gets Powers
 

The replacements for the RAF's VVIP AS355s enter service at Northolt:

http://www.skycontrol.net/UserFiles/...and_A109_1.jpg

http://www.skycontrol.net/UserFiles/...and_A109_2.jpg

AgustaWestland A109 Powers enter service with 32 Squadron (The Royal Squadron)
AgustaWestland March 31st

Three AgustaWestland A109 Power helicopters have entered service today with the Royal Air Force 32 (The Royal) Squadron at RAF Northolt to the west of London. The aircraft will be used for military and government communications flying.

In early March 2006 RAF pilots underwent conversion to type training at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate facility in Italy and at Sloane Helicopters in the UK. In mid-March the aircraft underwent final preparation at Sloane Helicopters in the UK before delivery to 32 (The Royal) Squadron at RAF Northolt, with the first of the three aircraft arriving on 22nd March 2006. All three aircraft were delivered to RAF Northolt ahead of schedule and ready for service for the contracted start date of 1st April 2006.

The contract, signed only 11 months ago, was awarded to AgustaWestland following a competition, for the provision of a Civil Owned Military Registered (COMR) helicopter service for 32 (The Royal) Squadron. The contract for a total of 900 hours per year being met by three A109 Power helicopters marks the successful entry of AgustaWestland into the UK COMR market.

Under the five year contract, which includes options to extend the term, AgustaWestland has contracted Sloane Helicopters to provide maintenance and spares support services for the aircraft, including first line servicing at RAF Northolt. The aircraft will be flown by Royal Air Force pilots.

What's with the reg on this a/c?
Is that the ZR321 on the tail?
They don't need a G-Plate?

RC

Rotor Craig,

Which bit of "Civil Owned Military Registered (COMR) helicopter" are you unsure about????

Sorry, I'll get my coat ... :uhoh:

RC

Is Jug Ears dusting off his Coronation Rig?

The way 109's have been crashing lately it might be a wise move.:E

109s? I thought they were police Ford Granadas....

Hmmm ... there is a passing resemblance!

http://www.ukemergency2.f9.co.uk/donx0029.jpg

RC