Private TiltRotor Operations May Be in YOUR Future In the midst of the 2008 NBAA Convention, the mockup of a BA609 TiltRotor concept destined for civilian usage continued to draw curiosity. First announced in 1998, full-size mockups of the BA609 have been fixtures at industry
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trade shows for several years... but actual progress on the program has been slow in coming. Most of the 80+ orders for the 6-9 passenger aircraft have been on the books for a decade, and the initial $10 million asking price has skyrocketed to somewhere south of twice that amount. So far, two of a planned four prototypes have taken flight. The flight test program has validated the BA609's unique flight envelope, including flight at altitudes up to 25,000 feet and speeds up to 310 knots, all at the maximum weight. The test program continues to check all the points of the flight envelope as required by both the FAA and EASA. The BA609 partners believe the BA609 is the most suitable, flexible, and versatile aircraft for many Homeland Security operations, surveillance and control of illegal traffic and immigration, search and rescue with the possibility to rescue people at more that 500 kilometers from the coast. Bell/Agusta and the FAA continue to work closely with EASA to achieve a dual FAA/EASA certification by 2011/early 2012, the company added. The second prototype Bell/Agusta BA609 made its first-ever appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow this past summer. Get A Lift With the BA609 and Aero-TV! FMI: www.bellagusta.com, www.agustawestland.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews Copyright 2008, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.
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