X-Trident recently released its rendition of the AgustaWestland AW109 for X-Plane 11 and 12. This multi-purpose helicopter is used in a variety of roles, both military and civil.

Its development began in the late 1960s, with the first prototype making its maiden flight in 1971. The official FAA certification in 1975 followed, and it was officially introduced in 1976. 

Originally designed and manufactured by Agusta as A109, it was the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced. An eventual merger of Agusta and Westland Helicopters from Britain led to a rebranding as AW109.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C engines, the AW109 can cruise at 285 km/h and has a maximum range of 932 km. 

The add-on features an accurate rendition of the popular helicopter, with a high-quality 3D model, fully animated cockpit elements, a fully digital instrument panel, a functional circuit breaker panel, a custom FADEC with fully automated engine start sequence, realistic performance across all envelopes (tested by real-life pilots), and more. The complete feature list follows below:

‍3D Model

• Accurate modeling of both interior and exterior
• Detailed and fully articulated rotor head
• Per-livery configurable accessories (antennas, camera, step)
• Fully animated cockpit elements (all switches, knobs, buttons, circuit breakers and controls)
• Separate controls for console, pedestal and overhead lights (with night and day mode)
• Separate controls for position, anti-collision, taxi, landing and search lights
• Animated doors

Instruments and controls

• Full digital instrument panel (3D cockpit and popup mode)
• dual EDU (with standard and reversionary mode)
• dual RTU
• mission display (currently implemented functions: digital map and front facing camera view)
• four EFIS (two PDF, two ND) – Synthetic vision for PFD, relative
• elevation map for ND, with country borders, airspace, airways, traffic (obstacles require user provide database examples for UK and US-NY provided)
• standby instrument advanced weather radar available as free download for Windows and Linux
• Dual audio control panel
• Functional circuit braker panel, fuel management panel, overhead panel, pedestal panel
• Functional switches, and buttons on cyclic and collective grips
• Aural warning system (incl. TAWS and TCAS)
• Crew alerting system for EDU and EFIS

Autopilot

• Four channels autopilot with ILS and RNAV capabilities
• SAS, ATT and all upper modes selectable
• Flight planning using AIRAC procedures (user updatable)
• Custom FADEC with fully automatic engine start sequence (manual start possible)
• OEI training mode
• Engine load sharing with selectable Torque or TOT priority
• Torque limiter and power limiter
• Auto hovering and auto take off (Transition Up mode)

Flight model

• Realistic performances across most of the envelope (mercilessly tested by three real-life pilots AND X-Plane simmers)
• Autorotation
• VRS (native in XP11, custom implementation in XP12)

Liveries

• Four liveries provided
• Paint kit available as free download

Documents

• Quick guide (pdf)
• Tutorials (pdf)
• Checklist (pdf)
• Manufacturer’s quick reference videos for EFIS apply almost 1:1 for supported functions.

Support for both XP12 and XP11

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The AW109 is available on the X-Plane.Org Store for $45.00, requiring at least 593 MB of free hard disk space to install.

Stay tuned to Threshold for more flight simulation news!

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