Thu, Jan 02, 2020
Program Enters Into Its Final Development And Ground/Flight Testing Stages
The fourth AW609 tiltrotor, fully representative of the final production configuration, successfully performed its first flight at Leonardo’s Philadelphia plant on Dec. 23, entering the final program development and ground/flight testing stages.
Lifting off on a clear afternoon, test pilot Dan Wells said, “The aircraft performed beautifully, thanks to all the rig and ground testing and the work done by our amazing engineering and production teams. The new touch-screen cockpit layout really proved its value and the aircraft exceeded all of our expectations.”
With this flight, the world’s first multirole commercial tiltrotor achieved a major milestone on its path to FAA certification. The AW609 will be certified under the FAA’s new Powered Lift category, the first new category of aircraft certified by the FAA in decades. Combining the vertical take-off and landing performance of a helicopter with the speed, range, and comfort of a turboprop airplane, the AW609 is poised to transform private and downtown to downtown transport, emergency medical service (EMS), search-and-rescue (SAR), offshore operations and patrol, among other uses.
The AW609 carries up to nine passengers in a comfortable pressurized cabin, has a max cruise speed of 275 knots and can travel up to 700 nautical miles — about twice as fast and twice as far as the typical helicopter. It climbs to 25,000 feet, flying safely above inclement weather and in known icing conditions.
The AW609 features fly-by-wire flight controls, Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics and two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67A engines.
(Image provided with Leonardo Company news release)
More News
Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]
Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]
Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]