Leonardo Helicopters AW609 Tiltrotor: Buyer’s and Investor’s Guide

AgustaWestland AW609 TiltRotor.

Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland) AW609 Tiltrotor is a ground-breaking design of a hybrid helicopter, capable of taking off like a helicopter and then transiting to a more conventional fixed-wing aircraft.

Formerly known as the Bell/Agusta BA609 twin-engine tiltrotor VTOL aircraft, the AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor flew for the first time on 6 March 2003 . The company expects the FAA certification of the AW609 in 2017 with deliveries beginning soon after.

Missions: Airborne Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, VIP/Corporate, EMS

First delivery: Expected after 2017

Category: Twin-engine Tiltrotor

Performance

Maximum speed (Vne): 275 knots / 316 mph / 509 kmh

Maximum cruise (Vh): 260 knots / 299 mpg / 483 kmh

Maximum range:  860 miles / 1,390 km

Weights

Maximum take-off gross weight: 16,800 lb / 7,600 kg

Useful Load:  5,500 lb / 2,500 kg

Empty weight: 10,483 lb / 4,755 kg

Passengers (crew): 6-9 (1 or 2 )