The premium light single
Leonardo AW119 Koala
A roomy, powerful light single that appears most often in private and premium small-group programs in coastal British Columbia.
Leonardo Helicopters
A119 / AW119
- Typical ski format
- Up to 5 guests
- Certified seating
- 1 pilot + up to 7 passengers (or 2 + 6)
- Published cruise
- 131 kt / 243 km/h
- Main rotor diameter
- 10.83 m
The skier’s view
More cabin, still one compact group
The AW119 brings a notably large cabin and baggage volume to the light-single class. In heli-skiing it is associated with private groups that want range, space and a dedicated aircraft rather than a shared rotation.
Bella Coola Heli Sports describes the Koala carrying up to five skiers into remote Coast Mountains terrain. Northern Escape also offers the A119 KE or Bell 407 for private parties of up to five.
Roomy light single
A broad, configurable cabin with a separate baggage compartment.
Private focus
Closely associated with dedicated-helicopter packages.
Long reach
Published range is high for the class, subject to mission conditions.
Inside the cabin
A wide cabin for a private crew
A representative private layout carries five guests with one or two guides. The AW119 family supports several certified layouts, so this diagram is specific to the published heli-ski group format—not the maximum seating claim.
- Configuration
- Representative private-group layout
- Equipment
- A separate baggage compartment complements external ski or snowboard carriage.
Bella Coola and Northern Escape published programs
The operator’s view
Why this aircraft works
- A comparatively spacious cabin in a single-engine aircraft.
- Payload and range suited to private programs covering large coastal tenures.
- Flexible layouts for guides, guests and expedition-style equipment.
Where you will find it
Names matter
Variants and aliases
A119 Koala
The original designation and the source of the enduring Koala name.
AW119Ke
An enhanced variant often named in current Canadian heli-ski programs.
AW119Kx
The current glass-cockpit evolution used for multiple civil missions.
Research notes
Sources & verification
Aircraft specifications describe reference conditions. Operator sources establish current heli-ski use and group format. Last reviewed 2026-08-22.
- manufacturerCommercial product range Leonardo Helicopters
- operatorSand Creek Ranch helicopter Bella Coola Heli Sports
- operatorPrivate heli-skiing Northern Escape Heli-Skiing
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