There are two types of tiltrotor: one, the V-22, carries a bunch of mean-looking Marines festooned with weapons and sitting on hard seats. The other, called Bell/Agusta BA609 and represented at NBAA by a full-size mockup, is a smaller and more genteel craft with soft leather chairs, elegant cabinetry and even a drinks cabinet. Both are built in the Bell assembly center at Amarillo, TX, and both fly at airplane speeds over airplane ranges before landing like a helicopter.

As might be imagined, the two craft share similar parentage, but corporate realignments have resulted in the BA609 now being an international venture between the U.S. and Italy, unlike the Bell Boeing V-22, which remains all-American. The BA609 alliance also will build the AB139 helicopter--a new aircraft that's a first-timer at this year's NBAA.

In terms of numbers, the BA609 takes over where the helicopter leaves off. It will cruise at 275 knots, and its normal range of 750 nmi can be extended to 1,000 nmi if auxiliary fuel tanks are installed. Despite not having flown, its sales total stands at 77 (or, at least, it did yesterday), representing 42 customers in 18 countries.

Not until the 2001 event will it be possible to see a real, flying BA609 at NBAA. The first of four prototypes is due to take to the air late next year, while customers will get their hands on production machines from 2002 onwards. A parallel assembly line is to be established in Italy, although all components for both lines will be single-sourced. Bell is to undertake customer training at Alliance Airport, Fort Worth, TX.

The military has a host of disparate tasks lined-up for the V-22 Osprey, and it is clear that executive transport will be only one of many roles which its smaller brother, the BA609, will come to undertake.