Company Spotlight: How Italy's Agusta Is Shaping the Glamour of the Aeronautical Industry

Folks, if you're not into the whole aeronautical or luxury lifestyle game, chances are that you've heard the name Agusta, most often expressed as MV Agusta. Well, they started out building helicopters, and these days, they still stand as one of the go-to teams for a bespoke machine, assuming you have the financial backing to own one. Depending on the sort of machine you're interested in, you can expect to pay as high as $7M or more.

Agusta's journey began back in 1923 when Count Giovanni Agusta started crafting choppers with Italian hands. As the years passed, in 1948, the name of Leonardo-Finmeccanica, a company aimed at the aerospace, nautical, and even defense industries, would appear.

From electronics, defense systems, turrets, and naval artillery to unmanned vehicles, Finmeccanica does it all. Back in 2021, total assets stood at a solid $28.38B and were responsible for over 50,000 jobs worldwide. In short, they're a powerhouse.

However, part of that cash is because Agusta would go on to merge with Finmeccanica and Britain's GKN - another aerospace crew - in 2000 to form AgustaWestland, offering Europe, the UK, and the rest of the world some of the finest aircraft we've seen. Just check out the image gallery if you don't believe me.

So, what are we in for these days? Well, that's precisely what we're here to find out, and our journey begins with the one and only AW609 TiltRotor, an aircraft designed to take to the skies vertically and then switch dynamics to that of a fixed-wing vehicle. In short, a hybrid-style machine.

In it, over 2,721 kg (5,999 lbs) of useful load, of which eight guests, can be handled, and it tops out at 18,000 lbs (8,165 kg). All that weight is to be moved around by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A engines and able to reach a height of 25,000 ft (7,620 m) with auxiliary fuel. The peak range tops out at 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles). Best of all, this aircraft can reach a top speed of 500 kph (310 mph), which is the main reason why it's at the top of this rather short list.

Beyond its abilities, we also need to take a look at the interior that one of these babies can have; direct your attention to the image gallery for that. Up to eight guests will be sitting down in a lounge-like fuselage that can be equipped with everything from a refreshment center to other in-flight experiences; cash can buy you just about anything these days.

Up next in this dive into Agusta's helicopters is the AW109 Trekker. Here, we're looking at what Agusta considers their "latest multi-role light twin-engine helicopter." it's designed to supply interested parties with a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to six passengers and envelope them in top-of-the-line sound-proofing while still handling plenty of cargo.

Once again, Pratt & Whitney Canada is behind the power needed to move all cargo and can do so for up to 4 hours and 20 minutes at a maximum of 5,000 ft (1,524 m). Top speed clocks in at 274 kph (170 mph).

This version also prides itself on state-of-the-art navigation systems and even comes with a crash-resistant design. Pilot comfort is also a focus for this model, ensuring that crash-resistant abilities aren't needed.

Another model I feel compelled to shed light upon is Agusta's AW119Kx. According to the manufacturer, this "is the fastest and most powerful single-engine helicopter," and while it's not as flashy as the previous two models, it has a purpose: that of being a leading solution for moving from point A to point B. This might also be this manufacturer's least expensive model, depending on the level of customization you pour into it.

Again, six passengers is the limit for this bugger, and just one Pratt & Whitney Canada engine is in place. Best of all, it boasts a flight time of 5 hours and 16 minutes at a top speed of 241 kph (150 mph), not to mention a max range of 945 km (587 mi).

Now, those are three of the most notable machines Agusta is responsible for, and while there are seven available models, I'm going to skip over a few of them and jump to the largest airborne whale this team can spit out. I'm talking about the AW189, or as Agusta calls it, "the industry benchmark for luxury transportation."

Here, we're looking at a massive beast with the ability to carry up to 14 passengers while reaching a top speed of 294 kph (183 mph). But, in my opinion, it's the interior that most guests will ever care about.

Aside from the leather seating and wood and semiprecious metal trims, guests are able to enjoy a view of the world around them through large windows, grab a drink or two from any of the consoles around while being enveloped in the latest in noise and vibration-reducing tech.

While the above-mentioned models only represent around half of what Agusta currently offers to those with the millions to afford their aircraft, it represents even less of what this timeless brand has given to the world since its beginning. Let's not forget that MV Agusta was born from this tech and team. The next time you ride one of their motorcycles, just remember that it was born of helicopter know-how.