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  4. See inside the civilian version of a popular military aircraft that's a cross between a helicopter and an airplane, the Leonardo AW609

See inside the civilian version of a popular military aircraft that's a cross between a helicopter and an airplane, the Leonardo AW609

Thomas Pallini   

See inside the civilian version of a popular military aircraft that's a cross between a helicopter and an airplane, the Leonardo AW609
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.Thomas Pallini/Insider
  • Leonardo's AW609 can take off and land like a helicopter and fly like an airplane.
  • Tiltrotor technology has limited civilian use, but the military has long used similar aircraft.

Vertical flight has historically been the domain of helicopters, offering users greater flexibility than traditional aircraft that require the use of airports. The downside to helicopters, however, is they often lack range, capacity, and speed compared to airplanes.

Vertical flight has historically been the domain of helicopters, offering users greater flexibility than traditional aircraft that require the use of airports. The downside to helicopters, however, is they often lack range, capacity, and speed compared to airplanes.
A Sikorsky S-76 helicopter.      Associated Press

One company is looking to change that by combining the flexibility of a helicopter with the functionality of an airplane.

One company is looking to change that by combining the flexibility of a helicopter with the functionality of an airplane.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Leonardo

Aerospace giant Leonardo is pioneering the first commercial tiltrotor aircraft with the AW609. The premise is simple: it takes off and lands like a helicopter and flies like an airplane.

Aerospace giant Leonardo is pioneering the first commercial tiltrotor aircraft with the AW609. The premise is simple: it takes off and lands like a helicopter and flies like an airplane.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021      Marina Lystseva\TASS via Getty

Take a closer look at the Leonardo AW609, which was on display at the Dubai Airshow 2021.

Take a closer look at the Leonardo AW609, which was on display at the Dubai Airshow 2021.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The AW609 was one of the most unique aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow as the only civilian tiltrotor.

The AW609 was one of the most unique aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow as the only civilian tiltrotor.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The US military has long enjoyed the benefits of tiltrotors, namely with the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey in service with the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy.

The US military has long enjoyed the benefits of tiltrotors, namely with the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey in service with the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy.
Santiparp Wattanaporn / Shutterstock.com

"In the history of aviation, you see technology migrate from the military side to the commercial side, and the tiltrotor is no different," Bill Sunick Jr, Leonardo's head of tiltrotor marketing, told Insider. And the public will finally get the chance to benefit from the capabilities of tiltrotors.

"In the history of aviation, you see technology migrate from the military side to the commercial side, and the tiltrotor is no different," Bill Sunick Jr, Leonardo
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021      GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty

A maximum cruise speed of around 275 knots, or around 316 miles per hour, puts the AW609 in roughly the same league as a Beechcraft King Air or Pilatus PC-12. Most helicopters can't compare to that type of speed.

A maximum cruise speed of around 275 knots, or around 316 miles per hour, puts the AW609 in roughly the same league as a Beechcraft King Air or Pilatus PC-12. Most helicopters can
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021      Marina Lystseva\TASS via Getty

But speed in the air is just one factor as owners will also experience unparalleled time savings on the ground by not having to travel to airports. Rather, the AW609 can use existing heliport infrastructure and helipads that are often far closer to business districts than airports.

But speed in the air is just one factor as owners will also experience unparalleled time savings on the ground by not having to travel to airports. Rather, the AW609 can use existing heliport infrastructure and helipads that are often far closer to business districts than airports.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

New York-Washington, DC is a prime example of where the AW609 could be effective, according to Sunick. New York City's Downtown Manhattan Heliport is steps away from Wall Street and less than an hour-long flight from Washington's South Capitol Street Helipad.

New York-Washington, DC is a prime example of where the AW609 could be effective, according to Sunick. New York City
kropic1 / Shutterstock.com

"The most popular location from the Wall Street pad or even the 34th Street pad is Teterboro [Airport] via helicopter, and so then the next popular destination departing Teterboro is Washington, DC," Sunick said of potential use cases for the AW609 in replacing short-haul flights between airports with tiltrotor flights between cities.

"The most popular location from the Wall Street pad or even the 34th Street pad is Teterboro [Airport] via helicopter, and so then the next popular destination departing Teterboro is Washington, DC," Sunick said of potential use cases for the AW609 in replacing short-haul flights between airports with tiltrotor flights between cities.
Getty Images

No longer will businesses or wealthy owners have to choose between taking the plane or taking the helicopter, or even taking the helicopter to the plane.

No longer will businesses or wealthy owners have to choose between taking the plane or taking the helicopter, or even taking the helicopter to the plane.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

And also unlike a helicopter, the AW609 and its pressurized cabin can fly at altitudes as high as 25,000 feet well above adverse weather conditions closer to the ground. The display in Dubai did not have a completed interior.

And also unlike a helicopter, the AW609 and its pressurized cabin can fly at altitudes as high as 25,000 feet well above adverse weather conditions closer to the ground. The display in Dubai did not have a completed interior.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Once in the air, it takes just 40 seconds for the AW609 to transition from helicopter to airplane.

Once in the air, it takes just 40 seconds for the AW609 to transition from helicopter to airplane.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The AW609's maximum range of 1,000 nautical miles puts major cities as far as Miami, Chicago, and Atlanta well within reach from Manhattan under the right conditions.

The AW609
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

And even with the slower speed of the tiltrotor compared to aircraft, the ease of access offered downtown heliports combined with the convenience of private aviation may just put the AW609 ahead of the competition.

And even with the slower speed of the tiltrotor compared to aircraft, the ease of access offered downtown heliports combined with the convenience of private aviation may just put the AW609 ahead of the competition.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

"Your mission set needs to have the desire to want to go far, fast, and have a vertical part in that mission sometimes," Sunick said.

"Your mission set needs to have the desire to want to go far, fast, and have a vertical part in that mission sometimes," Sunick said.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

For a look at a tiltrotor's capabilities, potential customers can look no further than the V-22 Osprey. The military warbird has a proven track record of flying military troops and accompanying the president of the United States.

For a look at a tiltrotor
A Bell/Boeing MV-22 Osprey at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Bell/Boeing actually first launched the AW609 program, then known as the Bell/Boeing 609, as the commercial cousin to the Osprey.

Bell/Boeing actually first launched the AW609 program, then known as the Bell/Boeing 609, as the commercial cousin to the Osprey.
A Bell/Boeing MV-22 Osprey at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

A complete redevelopment of the AW609 took place when AugustaWestland, now a luxury helicopter division of Leonardo, gained full control of the program from Bell after Boeing exited the project.

A complete redevelopment of the AW609 took place when AugustaWestland, now a luxury helicopter division of Leonardo, gained full control of the program from Bell after Boeing exited the project.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021      GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty

Everything from the engines to the cockpit to the size of the cabin door was overhauled based on feedback from customers.

Everything from the engines to the cockpit to the size of the cabin door was overhauled based on feedback from customers.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67A engines power the aircraft enabling a useful load of over 6,000 pounds.

Two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67A engines power the aircraft enabling a useful load of over 6,000 pounds.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The aircraft's standard configuration calls for nine passengers but as many as 12 can be accommodated in the cabin.

The aircraft
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Inside the aircraft resembles more of a helicopter cabin than it does a traditional private aircraft. Maneuvering in the cabin requires crouching and there isn't much room to walk around, much like on a helicopter.

Inside the aircraft resembles more of a helicopter cabin than it does a traditional private aircraft. Maneuvering in the cabin requires crouching and there isn
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Leonardo also chose the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion cockpit for the AW609, commonly found on general aviation aircraft.

Leonardo also chose the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion cockpit for the AW609, commonly found on general aviation aircraft.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Two pilots will be required to fly the aircraft when it's first certified by Sunick envisions single-pilot operations eventually, as is the case with many private aircraft.

Two pilots will be required to fly the aircraft when it
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Bristow Helicopters is the launch customer for the AW609 with a focus on transporting workers to and from offshore oil rigs and search and rescue.

Bristow Helicopters is the launch customer for the AW609 with a focus on transporting workers to and from offshore oil rigs and search and rescue.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Leonardo

There's no set timeline for certification as Leonardo is working with regulators including the Federal Aviation Administration to establish the rules for a powered lift aircraft such as the AW609.

There
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021      GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty

"This has actually been a marriage between Leonardo and the FAA working hand in hand to help define these criteria," Sunick said, adding that regulations governing fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, and small airplanes will apply to the AW609.

"This has actually been a marriage between Leonardo and the FAA working hand in hand to help define these criteria," Sunick said, adding that regulations governing fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, and small airplanes will apply to the AW609.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

But once certified, private aviation may be changed forever as the potential use cases for this aircraft are endless. Whether it be mini-airlines offering downtown-to-downtown service in the Northeast or the wealthy jet set wanting to fly straight from Wall Street to Miami.

But once certified, private aviation may be changed forever as the potential use cases for this aircraft are endless. Whether it be mini-airlines offering downtown-to-downtown service in the Northeast or the wealthy jet set wanting to fly straight from Wall Street to Miami.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

"We should as consumers of aviation demand more and more from our platforms," Sunick said. "I want to go faster, I want to go further, I want to vertical."

"We should as consumers of aviation demand more and more from our platforms," Sunick said. "I want to go faster, I want to go further, I want to vertical."
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

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