Operators Benefit from Combination of Flight Characteristics

Leonardo’s AW-609 tiltrotor programme has achieved a major milestone with the first production aircraft’s maiden flight in Philadelphia on 13 October.

Testing general handling and systems integration, this aircraft will be used to support mission capability evaluation and expansion as the programme moves closer to certification. Three customer airframes are currently on the final assembly line.

“This amazing achievement adds to several milestones for the AW-609 programme over the last year, through its technical progress and during its public appearances. Together this testifies the level of maturity this ground-breaking programme has reached and our credentials to pioneer in the emerging fast rotorcraft domain,” commented Leonardo Helicopters’ Managing Director, Gian Piero Cutillo.

The AW609’s rotorcraft-like versatility and airplane-like performance will bring a variety of operational benefits to applications ranging from private and business travel, EMS, SAR and offshore operations and patrol, serving both the private and government sectors.

Original at Monch Publishing Group.