Fri, Nov 10, 2006
The Bell/Agusta BA609 a/c 60002
performed its first flight on November 9th at AgustaWestland's
facility located on the Italian Air Force airfield at Cameri,
Italy. The first flight was completed successfully at 15.07 with
Mr. Pietro Venanzi, Pilot and Mr. Herb Moran, Co-pilot onboard.
The rotorcraft performed left and right peddle turns, forward
and aft flight maneuvers, several take-offs and landings, nacelle
position changes and stability testing during the flight which
lasted 52 minutes. Further flight test activities will take place
during the next months in accordance with the test plan.
BA609 a/c 60003 is already at the AgustaWestland facility in
Cameri and a/c 60004 is on the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas.
Bell/Agusta will produce a total of four prototype tiltrotor
aircraft for flight-testing in the U.S. and Italy. BA609 a/c 60001
is continuing to undergo flight test activities at Bell's Flight
Research Center in Arlington, Texas. To date it has accumulated
over 100 hours of flight test time and has operated at 25,000 feet
and speeds up to 304 knots.
Dual certification (European and FAA) is planned in 2010 with
military qualification and deliveries following soon after. With
customer requirements in mind, parts and components for both
assembly lines in Italy and Texas will come from the same source.
This key design concept greatly enhances the lifecycle
supportability aspects of the BA609.
The current Purchase Agreement status remains strong with more
than the first two years of production already allocated, for more
than 60 civil aircraft and undisclosed government customers. The
demand is expected to grow as flight tests continue and are
completed through to certification. The BA609 continues to be one
of the most highly anticipated aircraft ever, changing the
possibilities of what an aircraft can do.
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