Bell Now Sees Mid-2002 for First 609 Tiltrotor Flight

The first flight of the BA609, the world's first-ever civil tiltrotor aircraft, is now expected in mid-2002, says Bell Helicopter.

Certification is expected in late 2003. Four test aircraft are planned, with two to be completed this year and two in 2002.

Bell/Agusta, the trans-Atlantic partnership producing the revolutionary craft, claims 85 advance orders from more than 42 different customers in at least 18 countries. They'll be fulfilled with product from Bell Helicopter Textron in Texas and from a new assembly line to be set up by Agusta in Italy.

Japan's Fuji Heavy Industries has the contract to build all of the production fuselages.

"Aircraft and airworthiness will be identical," promises Bell BA609 sales chief Don Barbour.

The Bell factory in Amarillo, Texas, and the Agusta line will use the same suppliers.

Italian production is to get underway in the second or third year of BA609 commercial output, hence 2006 or 2007.

"We're planning to ramp up to a maximum of 60 per year when we have both facilities in service," Barbour says.

Bell/Agusta is planning to offer several interior configurations, including at least two six- to nine-seat executive club set-ups for the $10 million-plus aircraft.