- Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum graced Leonardo’s U.S. helicopter headquarters in Philadelphia and took the helm of the AW609 tiltrotor, marking a pivotal achievement for female aviators in commercial aviation.
- “I’m exhilarated to be the inaugural female pilot to test this groundbreaking aircraft. This is not solely a personal accomplishment but a chance to break yet another glass ceiling for women. I continually push myself beyond my boundaries to demonstrate that if I can achieve this, so can anyone else with determination and perseverance.”
Leonardo was privileged to welcome Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum at its helicopter headquarters in the United States, granting her the unique chance to personally pilot the innovative AW609, the globe’s first tiltrotor preparing for civil certification.
“Leonardo was proud to host Her Highness, providing this exceptional experience on the world’s first tiltrotor aimed at attaining civil certification,” expressed William Hunt, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in the U.S. “Showcasing the AW609’s dual fixed and rotary-wing piloting capabilities was a significant achievement for our team in Philadelphia.”
The AW609 stands as one of the most notable technological advancements in the civil aviation sector, combining the operational flexibility of a helicopter (capable of vertical takeoff and landing) with the performance benefits of an airplane (including a pressurized cabin, speed, altitude, and endurance), opening up exciting opportunities for passenger transport and public services.
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum achieved the remarkable feat of being the first woman to fly the AW609, heralding a significant milestone for female aviators in commercial aviation.
“Flying the AW609 has been a dream of mine since I first viewed the initial prototype images. It seamlessly integrates my flying experience, blending both fixed and rotary-wing piloting expertise. I’m genuinely amazed at this opportunity! Aircrafts like the AW609 fill me with enthusiasm for the future of aviation, a future now more accessible to women who aspire to enter this field.”
The AW609 is set to transform point-to-point transportation. This tiltrotor can take off and land vertically and hover like a helicopter while offering passengers the comfort akin to a turboprop aircraft. With capabilities for various missions, such as VIP transport, emergency medical services, search and rescue, and governmental tasks, the AW609 can travel at speeds exceeding 500 km/h and has a range nearing 1,400 km, potentially reaching 2,000 with extra fuel tanks.
