EASA Pilots Fly Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor for the First Time

The Italian helicopter maker’s test program is aimed at certifying the aircraft with European and U.S. aviation agencies.

Jonathan Welsh

Friday, March 24, 2023 at 04:12 PM ET

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A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor performs a test flight. [Courtesy: Leonardo Helicopters]

Key Takeaways:

Leonardo's AW609 civilian tiltrotor is progressing toward certification with both EASA and FAA, following recent familiarization flights by EASA officials.
The aircraft is a tiltrotor design that combines the takeoff/landing flexibility of a helicopter with the higher speed and range of an airplane.
It is designed to fly at twice the speed of typical helicopters, up to 25,000 feet, suitable for missions including business transport, medical, and emergency services.
The AW609 project, which began in the 1990s, has undergone numerous changes and modifications, experiencing delays in its path to certification and service.

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Last week a flight crew from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) joined Leonardo Helicopters in its test program for the AW609, a civilian tiltrotor aircraft the company has been developing for several years.

The familiarization testing, which took place on March 16 and 17, marked the first time EASA officials flew the AW609. Pilots from the FAA had taken part in similar flight tests in February, the company said. The aircraft is moving through the certification process with both agencies.