Leonardo Aw119 Koala

Single Turboshaft

The Leonardo AW119 Koala is a single-engine light utility helicopter that has become a workhorse in the emergency medical services sector across North America. Originally developed by Agusta (later AgustaWestland, now Leonardo) and certified in the mid-1990s, the AW119 was designed to fill the gap between smaller piston helicopters and heavier twin-engine platforms, offering turbine reliability and performance in a cost-effective single-engine package. Its eight-seat cabin, large sliding doors, and relatively spacious interior made it particularly attractive to air ambulance operators who needed to accommodate medical crews and stretchers without the operating costs of a twin. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A turboshaft engine producing 1,002 shaft horsepower, the Koala delivers a maximum cruise speed around 120 knots and a never-exceed speed of 140 knots. Its service ceiling reaches approximately 15,000 feet, and with auxiliary fuel tanks it can achieve a range exceeding 500 nautical miles, impressive endurance for a light single. The helicopter's relatively high power-to-weight ratio gives it strong hot-and-high performance, making it suitable for operations in mountainous terrain and challenging environmental conditions where many EMS missions occur. The AW119's safety record and dispatch reliability have made it a favorite among helicopter emergency medical services providers, law enforcement agencies, and utility operators. Its single-engine simplicity reduces maintenance complexity compared to twins, while the PT6 engine's reputation for durability provides operators with confidence in mission-critical scenarios. The type has seen continuous improvements through variants including the Koala Mk II and the AW119Kx, which introduced a more powerful engine and upgraded avionics. SkyMeter has tracked 425 flights across 96 airframes and 16 operators, with CRITICAL CARE SERVICES INC DBA, LIFE LINK III the largest observed operator.