AgustaWestland has launched the second edition of its “Flydeas for the City” competition, now aimed at developing an all new, advanced corpo...
The project follows the successful first edition launched last year which led to the selection of the ‘Lanzavecchia+Wai’ designed exclusive cabin layout for the new generation AW169 light intermediate twin helicopter and a dedicated exterior paint scheme.
The project offers designers opportunity to develop a completely new interior configuration for this revolutionary aircraft that will be able to perform many missions that no existing aircraft can perform. The winner of the competition will be announced in October 2015.
The unique flight characteristics of the AW609 combine the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft into one aircraft. The AW609 can rotate its both engines 90 degree for vertical takeoff and landing. It can cruise like an twin engined turboprop, flying above adverse weather with up to nine people in comfort in a pressurised cabin at twice the speed and range typical of helicopters.
With approximately 1,200 flight hours logged by the first two prototypes and two more aircraft being readied for certification testing, the AW609 development programme is progressing to plan and is focused on obtaining US FAA civil certification in 2017.
Almost 60 customers have already chosen the AW609 globally.
