The fourth AW609 tiltrotor, in final production configuration, successfully performed its first flight at Leonardo’s Philadelphia plant on Dec. 23, entering final program development and ground/flight testing stages.
With this flight, the world’s first multirole commercial tiltrotor achieved a major milestone on its path to FAA certification. The AW609 will be certified under the FAA’s new Powered Lift category, the first new category of aircraft certified by the FAA in decades. The Coast Guard has presented the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal to members involved in rescues during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Rear Adm. John Nadeau presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to Cmdr. Scott Sanborn, Lt. John Briggs, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Gantt. Petty Officer 1st Class James Yockey received the Air Medal. Commander Sanborn launched single-pilot into IMC conditions with winds up to 50 knots, rescuing three aircrew who were surrounded by floodwaters as well as another rescue swimmer. Later, Sanborn flew 14 hours in ceilings as low as 100 feet and 1/4 mile of visibility. In all, he served in the rescue of 24 people... One of the aviation world’s most respected publishers and
journalists has gone west... The founder of Professional Pilot Magazine, Murray Smith, died Christmas day at the age of 89. Smith began taking flying lessons at the age of 14 while working at the airport. He earned a journalism degree from the University of Illinois, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy after working briefly at an advertising agency. While in the Navy, he wrote for multiple government organizations as a technical journalist, and it was during that time that he hatched the idea for Professional Pilot Magazine. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 01.03.20 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Friday, January 3rd, 2020... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Sophie Hurlock. Sophie is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:
- AW609 Tiltrotor In Final Production Configuration Flies In Philadelphia
- Coast Guard Awards Distinguished Flying Crosses And Air Medal in Mobile, AL
- Gone West: Professional Pilot Magazine Founder Murray Smith
- John 'Mike' Hardin Earns NAFI Master Instructor Accreditation
- The Sonerai Is Coming Home
- FAA Releases Hazardous Weather Webinar
- Aviation Industry Plans Campaign To Fight 'Flight Shaming'
- EAA’s Sean Elliot Helps AMA Seek Aerial Justice
Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again tomorrow, for the next edition of "Airborne Unlimited" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!
© 2020, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.
Airborne 11.24.25: ANN's 30th!, Starships V3 Booster Boom, Earhart Records
See All