AW609 TiltRotor Program Updates
– Multiple ground and flight tests successfully completed in Philadelphia by the third prototype
– Icing trials are set to commence this winter
– FAA certification is anticipated in 2018
Rome, 9 February 2017 – The AW609 TiltRotor program is poised to initiate icing trials shortly, following a series of significant ground and flight testing activities. These advancements are aligned with the goal of achieving FAA certification, which remains on schedule for 2018.
The third prototype, stationed at Leonardo’s Philadelphia facility, has engaged in several weeks of extensive ground testing, followed by flight trials enabling comprehensive evaluation of avionics and all systems. Initial flights showcased the aircraft’s capabilities, including basic hovering maneuvers and airport patterns, culminating in a successful hover landing. Plans for additional flights, reaching altitudes of 4,000 feet with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, are in place.
Upcoming icing trials will take place in Marquette, Michigan, throughout the winter. These tests are crucial to confirming that the AW609 can operate safely in known icing conditions, achieving operational standards that are currently unmatched by any existing commercial aircraft.
The fourth AW609 prototype is now positioned within the main production area of the Philadelphia facility’s assembly line, ensuring a seamless transition to the first production models, also projected for release in 2018.
