Aero-TV: The BA609 Tiltrotor -- A New Generation of ...

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 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

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[7249xxl]

MV-22 is a beautiful vtol but its a total bitch it has maney mechanical failiurs and is fucking expensife(70 mil each)

sorry for eng

[BA609tiltrotor]

hiya Don, looking good there buddy :-)

all systems GO this end!

[b3nighted]

@MrEvanbean quite uncommon, for JAA licenses... I have a CPL/IR(helicopter) with 3 type ratings, and I can either get a fixed-wing PPL and keep my 3 types or get CPL for both fixed and rotary but with only one active type each... so quite a bit of hassle.

[MrEvanbean]

@b3nighted dual ratings :) not un common

[b3nighted]

so one would need to already have both a plane and a helicopter license? that's slightly inappropriate :)

[necessaryevil101]

i liked that lil commercial in there hehe

[thebigmacd]

@lucasmj2004

The engines are cross-shafted. If one engine fails both rotors are turned by the other engine.

[lucasmj2004]

yeah I know that the v22 is still flying.. But i'm wondering what would happen when one engine fails whilst the aircraft is doing a vertical taking off.. Asymmetric at that point would be fatal.. I reckon

[Attilaakiraly]

@lucasmj2004 late comment but oh well... So, could ask the same thing about the V-22 and still fly for years now does it?

[TheCosway]

imma get one of those