Bell, Agusta Aerospace Celebrate Civilian Tiltrotor Accomplishment

Bell Helicopter and its partner Agusta Aerospace recently confirmed the 609 civilian tiltrotor has reached the 200 hour mark in the flight test program.

Michael Cuppernull, BAAC managing director said that the program currently has two aircraft in flight test, with two more in the plans. "The third prototype is tentatively scheduled to fly next year and the fourth sometime later in 2008," Cuppernull stated.

To date the first 609, based at Bell's XworX facility in Texas, has flown to all corners of the flight envelope, including speeds up to 304 KTAS in full airplane mode, as well as rearward and sideward flight in 35 knots in helicopter mode.

Pilots are also probing handling qualities at altitudes up to 25,000 feet, and shaking out a third generation software package recently installed, which Bell states will help further refine operations of the flight control system.

Both companies say the 609 is on track to achieve both FAA and European certification in 2010, with initial customer deliveries in 2011.

FMI: www.bellagusta.com