Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Tiltrotor Achieves Controlled Conversions
The company is continuing ground testing ahead of anticipated first flight this year.
On October 26, the Bell Helicopter V-280 Valor tiltrotor prototype aircraft successfully achieved controlled conversion from 95 to 75 degree pylon and back at the company’s Amarillo, Texas facility. This conversion allows for full hover and low-speed agility maneuvering. (Photo: Bell Helicopter)
On October 26, the Bell Helicopter V-280 Valor tiltrotor prototype aircraft successfully achieved controlled conversion from 95 to 75 degree pylon and back at the company’s Amarillo, Texas facility. This conversion allows for full hover and low-speed agility maneuvering. (Photo: Bell Helicopter)

Earlier this month the Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor prototype successfully achieved controlled conversion from 95 to 75 degree pylon and back, allowing for full hover and low-speed agility maneuvering. The aircraft will continue ground run testing at Bell's Amarillo assembly center, where it will undergo a series of functional tests running all aircraft systems and flight controls in preparation for first flight later this fall. Last month Bell achieved 100 percent rotor RPM during ground runs at Amarillo. Bell completed build on the prototype in September.