Bell/Agusta remains certain time is right for civil tiltrotor

Bell/Agusta Aerospace Co.

By AIN Staff • AIN Staff

October 7, 2008

Bell/Agusta Aerospace Co. is showing a new six-place VIP interior in its BA609 tiltrotor mockup here in the Orange County Convention Center (Booth No. 5519). Featuring leather seats, two beverage consoles, a flat floor and foldaway tables, the tasteful interior brings “the comfort of a corporate jet to an aircraft that can go places where others cannot,” said Don Barbour, Bell/Agusta executive marketing director. The interior was first shown in February at Heli-Expo’08 in Houston. Bell/Agusta is a joint venture of Bell Helicopter, a Textron company based in Fort Worth, Texas, and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, based in Italy.

“The twin-engine, fly-by-wire 609 has a power-to-weight ratio that is higher than any other vertical-lift aircraft,” said Barbour. “With full fuel and six 220-pound passengers, you can depart from a riverside heliport in New York, lose one engine right after takeoff while still in hover mode and not get wet. The pilot has enough power to fly away single-engine or land back on the heliport.” Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turboshaft engines power the aircraft.

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