AgustaWestland's AW609 civil TiltRotor aircraft program is back on track with the third prototype (AC3) completing its first ground run...
AgustaWestland's AW609 civil TiltRotor aircraft program is back on track with the third prototype (AC3) completing its first ground run and resumption of tests using the first prototype (AC1) from company’s facilities in Cascina Costa, Italy.
The AC3 prototype began restrained ground run testing with all engines and systems operating with flight tests scheduled to begin in mid-2016 in Philadelphia, US.
The flight test fleet were ground following crash of the AC2 prototype in October 2015, killing two of its pilots and delaying the certification by one year, which is now expected in 2018.
These tests prepare the prototype for FAA certification flight testing this summer at the company’s Philadelphia facility, where it will demonstrate that its capabilities satisfy a stringent set of airworthiness standards for the world’s first commercial powered lift aircraft.
Taking off and landing vertically, the AW609 is capable of flying within an envelope that includes cruise conditions up to 275 knots, at an altitude of 25,000 feet in a pressurized cabin, for missions with ranges up to 1000nm with available fuel options.
The AC3 will also undergo icing trials in the winter of 2016 to demonstrate its capabilities in known icing conditions. These high standard design features allow the AW609 to perform a host of missions not previously achievable with any other commercial aircraft.
The fourth prototype A/C4 is undergoing assembly in Philadelphia with plans to enter the test fleet in 2017.
The AC3 prototype began restrained ground run testing with all engines and systems operating with flight tests scheduled to begin in mid-2016 in Philadelphia, US.
The flight test fleet were ground following crash of the AC2 prototype in October 2015, killing two of its pilots and delaying the certification by one year, which is now expected in 2018.
These tests prepare the prototype for FAA certification flight testing this summer at the company’s Philadelphia facility, where it will demonstrate that its capabilities satisfy a stringent set of airworthiness standards for the world’s first commercial powered lift aircraft.
Taking off and landing vertically, the AW609 is capable of flying within an envelope that includes cruise conditions up to 275 knots, at an altitude of 25,000 feet in a pressurized cabin, for missions with ranges up to 1000nm with available fuel options.
The AC3 will also undergo icing trials in the winter of 2016 to demonstrate its capabilities in known icing conditions. These high standard design features allow the AW609 to perform a host of missions not previously achievable with any other commercial aircraft.
The fourth prototype A/C4 is undergoing assembly in Philadelphia with plans to enter the test fleet in 2017.
