Second BA609 prototype makes maiden flight | Aviation International News

Second BA609 prototype makes maiden flight

On November 9, the second Bell/Agusta BA609 tiltrotor prototype made its maiden flight in Italy.

By Thierry Dubois • Writer

December 5, 2006

On November 9, the second Bell/Agusta BA609 tiltrotor prototype made its maiden flight in Italy. The flight took place at an Italian Air Force airfield in Cameri, near Milan. The 52-minute first flight was quickly followed by more test flights. As of November 15, the aircraft had flown in helicopter mode only.

During the first flight, pilot Pietro Venanzi and copilot Herb Moran performed left and right pedal turns, forward and aft flight maneuvers, minor nacelle tilt angle variations and stability testing. The aircraft took off and landed several times. In February, this first flight was pegged for the middle of the year.

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