EASA Advances AW09 Evaluation at Mollis Facility

Kopter, April 29, 2026 - The latest round of flight tests conducted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency EASA) marks another important milestone in the certification journey of the AW09.

Once again, we recently had the pleasure of welcoming the EASA Panel 1 team to our facility in Mollis, where they performed another series of flight tests on our Pre-Series helicopter (PS5) and our first serial aircraft (S6), as part of their evaluation of the AW09.

The team flew a total of around nine hours and expressed positive feedback with all tests performed, witnessing the maturity of the AW09.

We look forward to continuing this close collaboration with EASA during the final flight assessment phase, which will take place at key points in the coming weeks, in order to ensure the AW09 meets all certification requirements.

Leonardo AW09

Helis - The Leonardo AW09 originated as the SKYe SH09, a clean-sheet rotorcraft developed in the early 2010s by the Swiss startup Marenco Swisshelicopter. Conceived to challenge established designs in the light single-engine segment, the project emphasized advanced materials and pilot-centric design, notably featuring a full carbon-fiber airframe and a high-visibility cockpit inspired by modern fighter aircraft. The prototype achieved its maiden flight in October 2014 at Mollis, Switzerland, marking a key milestone and initiating a period of intensive flight testing and refinement, including aerodynamic improvements to the rotor head and tail assembly to enhance stability and handling.

The program entered a new phase in 2020 when Leonardo acquired Kopter Group, integrating the aircraft into its helicopter portfolio and rebranding it as the AW09. Under Leonardo’s stewardship, the platform underwent significant technical and industrial upgrades to meet certification and production standards. These included the adoption of the Safran Arriel 2K engine and a redesigned rotor system aimed at improving reliability, performance, and operating efficiency.

Today, the AW09 represents a synthesis of Swiss engineering innovation and Italian industrial capability, positioned as a versatile, next-generation light helicopter for roles ranging from passenger transport and emergency medical services to utility and surveillance missions.