2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Mark Huber

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Leonardo AW609 AC5 will join the flight test program for the civil tiltrotor. 

First Production Leonardo AW609 Flies 

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Leonardo's AW609 tiltrotor is being shown at NBAA-BACE for the first time, while flight of first production aircraft is "imminent."

Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor Makes NBAA-BACE Debut

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

New two-seat Leonardo AW249 attack helicopter—a successor to the AW129 Mangusta—made its first flight on August 12 in Vergiate, Italy. 

Leonardo AW249 Makes First Flight

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Leonardo logged orders for three VIP configured helicopters during LABACE 2022 which will be delivered next year from Leonardo's new facility in Itapevi. 

Leonardo Logs VIP Orders at LABACE

V-Star Powered Lift Aviation announced this week that it intends to begin flying vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft in southern Australia as early as 2023. It said that as part of plans to expand advanced air mobility services in the country, it is preparing to add next-generation aircraft to its fleet for missions including&nbsp;emergency services, regional travel, and commercial transportation.
The Adelaide-based company said its mixed fleet will include at least three types of VTOL aircraft, the first of which will be the twin-engine <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2022-03-02/fifth-leonardo-aw609-tiltrotor-joins-flight-test-program">AW609</a> tiltrotor aircraft from&nbsp;Leonardo Helicopters. According to its Italian manufacturer, the six- to nine-seat AW609 is expected to be the world’s first commercially certified powered lift aircraft, combining the operational flexibility of a helicopter with the range and speed of a fixed-wing type.
V-Star said the tiltrotor is well suited for search-and-rescue missions and emergency response operations. The AW609 can travel at speeds up to 316 mph (509 km/h), has a range of 863 miles (1,389 km), and can land on most hospital and offshore helipads.
In the July 12 announcement, the Australian company said it is also partnering with Dufour Aerospace in Switzerland, which will provide the company with early access to its new <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/aero?model=aero-3">Aero 3</a> hybrid-electric, tilt-wing eVTOL. Designed for search-and-rescue operations in the harsh alpine environments in Switzerland,&nbsp;the Aero 3 is ideal for emergency services and transportation operations, Dufour says. It has a range of more than 500 miles (800 km) and is capable of traveling at up to 220 mph (350 km/h).&nbsp;
The third aircraft V-Star is eyeing for its fleet is Denver-based XTI Aircraft’s <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/trifan">TriFan 600</a>, which is being developed as an alternative to light business jets and features three ducted tilt fans and a high-swept wing design. The in-development&nbsp;TriFan 600 is expected to travel farther and faster than conventional helicopters, with a projected range of around 750 miles (1,200 km) at a maximum speed of 390 mph (630 km/h). XTI says that, compared with similar existing aircraft, the hybrid-electric model will have 60 percent lower operating costs and 75 percent lower CO2 emissions.
“These new aircraft designs will change the way we approach regional travel and transport in Australia. Anywhere we need to get people and equipment quickly and cheaply is where these airplanes come in,” said V-Star co-founder and CEO Tony Laws. “South Australia’s climate, geography, and infrastructure make it an ideal location for testing and potential manufacturing,” Laws added.
Laws said that V-Star’s headquarters in Adelaide will provide aircraft sales and leasing services, operational and maintenance support, and a world-class training center for its customers.

Leonardo

News

First Production Leonardo AW609 Flies

Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor Makes NBAA-BACE Debut

Leonardo AW249 Makes First Flight

Leonardo Logs VIP Orders at LABACE

V-Star To Bring Next-generation VTOL Aircraft to South Australia

Leonardo Helicopters Rebrands Kopter SH09 as the AW09

Leonardo Closes On Kopter Acquisition

Leonardo Buys Swiss Helicopter Manufacturer Kopter - AIN

Leonardo Bolsters Lineup with Kopter Buy

Leonardo Wins U.S. Navy Helo Trainer Deal

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