Bell/Agusta Aerospace
provided ANN with a program update on its BA609, not only the
world's first civil tiltrotor aircraft, but is reportedly the
fastest civilian VTOL on the planet.
Aircraft 001 continues successful envelope expansion of
torsional and aeroelastic stability. Handling qualities are
excellent at all conditions tested and all nacelle angles. Gross
weights to date range from 13,500lbs to 15,700lbs. Airspeed
achieved to date is 277 kcas (319 miles per hour). Altitude
achieved so far is 14,500 ft Hp. The BA609 exceeded the planned
flight test points for 2005. Measured noise levels are better than
expected both internal and external with no added suppression
installed. Out side noise is like that of a passing high-end luxury
car, internal is the same as a Citation VII. Aircraft 002 is
scheduled for first flight by the 3rd quarter of this year in
Italy. Total flight hours is 62 and total run time of 162
hours.
Key successes in the initial BA609 certification testing phase
included: over 38,000 equivalent flight hours on full scale wing,
over 54,000 equivalent flight hours on flaperon, pressurization
tests passed for aircraft number 001 to 25,000 feet, and bird
strike tests passed for fuselage, wing and tail.
There are currently four planned BA609 flight test aircraft.
Aircraft number 001 will remain in Texas for flight-testing, while
number 002 is being constructed in Italy. Aircraft number 003 will
be used to conduct icing and other certification tests, while
aircraft number 004 will be used in certification, test and
development work in avionics. Aircraft numbers 003 and 004 are due
to be completed in 2007.
Aircraft number 002, which is being constructed in Italy, is
schedule for completion and first flight in 2006. At that time,
flight-testing will continue in tandem in the US and Italy.
To date, the BA609 order book stands at approximately 60
aircraft orders. Results of an in depth market analysis, including
customer interviews show the market continues to be excited about
the unique value and mission possibilities the 609 will bring to
short-haul commercial air transportation. And our customer
confidence has remained high throughout our development phase.
BA609 tiltrotor promises to be a growth alternative for the market,
allowing mission profiles and scenarios not previously possible
with conventional airplanes or helicopters.
The BA609, a six to nine passenger aircraft, has market
applications for corporate business, offshore operators and
government customers for a variety of roles including search and
rescue, and internal security team insertion. The BA609 will cruise
at 275 knots with a maximum un-refueled range of over 700 nautical
miles. The aircraft in standard configuration is fully pressurized
and de-iced. Hence, the BA609 will provide a new, unique choice for
aviation: twice as fast, twice as far as previous typical
commercial VTOL aircraft, and at competitive lifecycle costs
compared to alternative mixed fleets.
The BA609 has the new Collins ProLine 21 3-screen display glass
cockpit as standard, and will be certified for IFR flight in known
icing conditions. BA609 tiltrotor customer training will be
conducted at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, which will also
serve as the initial tiltrotor delivery center.
Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company is a joint venture corporation
that markets and supports the BA609 civil tiltrotor. The BA609
features extended range and speed compared to traditional VTOL
aircraft.