Helis, September 30, 2021 - Leonardo announced that the AW609 AC4, fully representative of the final production configuration, is now in Dubai for the first official presentation of the multirole tiltrotor in the region over the forthcoming weeks.
The aircraft performed a one-of-a-kind ferry flight leaving Leonardo Helicopters’ Headquarter in Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy, on September 10 and landing in Dubai three days later following stops in Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East.
The aircraft is supported by Aerogulf and hosted in their hangar at the Al Maktoum International Airport.
The AW609 is a 8 tonne class (18,000 lb) tiltrotor that combine the speed, range and altitude of a fixed-wing turboprop airplane and the vertical take-off and landing versatility of a helicopter. It is powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A engines. With a crew of 2 and 9 passenger capacity has a max cruise speed of 510 km/h ( 275 kts ). With auxiliary fuel has a range of 1,389/1,852 km ( 700/1,000 nm )
Among the roles planned for the new aircraft are VIP, search and rescue, air ambulance and offshore/utility missions.
Launch customer is expected to be Era Group (now rebranded and part of Bristow) which ordered 2 aircraft in 2018. After certification, entry into service could be in 2023.
The aircraft performed a one-of-a-kind ferry flight leaving Leonardo Helicopters’ Headquarter in Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy, on September 10 and landing in Dubai three days later following stops in Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East.
The aircraft is supported by Aerogulf and hosted in their hangar at the Al Maktoum International Airport.
The AW609 is a 8 tonne class (18,000 lb) tiltrotor that combine the speed, range and altitude of a fixed-wing turboprop airplane and the vertical take-off and landing versatility of a helicopter. It is powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A engines. With a crew of 2 and 9 passenger capacity has a max cruise speed of 510 km/h ( 275 kts ). With auxiliary fuel has a range of 1,389/1,852 km ( 700/1,000 nm )
Among the roles planned for the new aircraft are VIP, search and rescue, air ambulance and offshore/utility missions.
Launch customer is expected to be Era Group (now rebranded and part of Bristow) which ordered 2 aircraft in 2018. After certification, entry into service could be in 2023.
AW609 N609PH ( Leonardo Italy )
See also |
AW609 in United Arab Emirates Air Force
Aerogulf Aerogulf
Bell Helicopter UAE
Leonardo Launches Agusta Brand for VIP Sector
Leonardo AW609 at Dubai Airshow 2021