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 advancing through its certification process with both EASA and FAA, recently undergoing familiarization flight tests with EASA officials following earlier FAA participation.
The AW609 combines the vertical takeoff/landing flexibility of a helicopter with the higher cruising speed and range of a traditional airplane, flying up to twice as fast as helicopters at altitudes up to 25,000 feet.
Designed for missions such as business transport, medical, rescue, and emergency services, the aircraft's development has spanned decades since the 1990s, experiencing numerous changes and delays.

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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.