Tiltrotor Mockup Returns to NBAA After Lapse of Several Years
Bell/Agusta's BA609 tiltrotor mockup has returned to NBAA
after several years when the pace of its development was in doubt. But the
program has the green light again, and the first aircraft has now logged 137
hours of running time, of which 40.8 hours have been in flight. Tests have
included full transitions from hover to level flight at speeds up to 255 kts.
Another two test aircraft will be added, extending the flight envelope to at
least 275 kts (never-exceed is 300) and demonstrating the 16,000-foot cruise
altitude.
