Rome, 11 August 2016 – Leonardo-Finmeccanica has successfully brought the first flying AW609 prototype to Philadelphia, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing flight testing program.
The aircraft departed from Arlington, Texas, making a scheduled stop overnight in Huntsville, Alabama, before reaching Philadelphia on August 10.
As part of the industrialization process, Leonardo-Finmeccanica has broadened the AW609 TiltRotor project to encompass the company’s Philadelphia facility. This move signifies important steps towards assembly and certification, with the FAA recognized as the certification authority. Meanwhile, manufacturing efforts in Italy, the UK, and Poland remain vital to the program.
Although this flying prototype will soon be transferred back to Italy, flight testing will persist in Philadelphia upon the arrival of another AW609 that has been assembled and ground-tested in Italy. Additionally, a new AW609 is currently being assembled in Philadelphia, planning to join the test fleet in 2017.
The expected certification for the first commercial tiltrotor is set for 2018, followed by deliveries to eager customers.
