Leonardo Celebrates First M-345, TH-119 Flights | Aviation International News

Leonardo Celebrates First M-345, TH-119 Flights

As the year draws to an end, Leonardo has achieved significant first flight milestones for two of its important defense programs

The first production M-345 HET returns to Venegono Superiore airport at Varese, Italy, after its successful first flight. (photo: Leonardo)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

December 22, 2018

In the run-up to Christmas, Leonardo has had cause to celebrate early, with two significant first flights. The first production-standard M-345 HET (high-efficiency trainer) took to the skies at Varese-Venegono in Italy on December 21, while on the previous day the first TH-119 training helicopter was flown at the company’s plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Quirino Bucci and Giacomo Ianelli were aboard the M-345 for its first flight. Bucci, Leonardo Aircraft Division’s trainer project test pilot, remarked afterwards, “The airplane performed excellently, perfectly meeting design parameters and expectations. The engine, in particular, showed exceptional response to power changes, a key factor for the role the M-345 will play, particularly for aerobatic flights. We’ve also tested the advanced onboard systems and I’m extremely happy with the excellent avionics integration and man-machine interface.”

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Boeing Completes Protracted 737 Max 10 Type Certification

Approval completes the top end of the Max family of narrowbodies

Boeing 737 Max 10

Skyfly Secures $10 million To Commercialize eVTOL Aircraft

Hybrid-electric uncrewed defense variant also revealed

Skyfly Axe aircraft on runway

SyberJet Secures Commitments for 50+ SJ36s

Letters of intent came after unveiling at NBAA-BACE

SyberJet at NBAA-BACE 2026

Gulfstream Eyes 200-bizjet Production Rate

Backlog reached $25 billion by midyear

G800

Cessna Citation Gen3 Jets Top 1,220 Flight-test Hours

All three Garmin Autoland-equipped jets on track for 2027 service entry

Cessna Citation Gen3 at BACE2026

Natilus’ Freighter Concept Awarded U.S. Defense Funding

Optionally-piloted blended-wing-body freighter to make first flight in 2028

Kona blended wing body graphic over coastline

Precourt, Udvar-Hazy in NAHF Hall of Fame Class of 2027

National Aviation Hall of Fame revealed 2027 enshrinement class ahead of NBAA-BACE

NAHF announcement of 2027 enshrinees.

EASA Validates Honda APMG S Upgrade Program

Service centers can now install the new features in HondaJets registered in Europe

Honda Aircraft president and CEO Hideto Yamasaki