FutureFlight
FAA Consults Over Long-Awaited Plans to Certify Leonardo's AW609 Tiltrotor Aircraft
The U.S. air safety regulators approach to certifying the Italian manufacturer's tiltrotor appears to be closely aligned for long-awaited type certification plans for new eVTOL aircraft.
Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor aircraft.
Leonardo has been trying to achieve type certification of the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft since 2011. (Image: AIN)

The FAA is seeking public comments on its proposed certification criteria for Leonardo's AW609 tiltrotor aircraft. The U.S. regulator's request, which was published on June 9,  comes some 20 years after the aircraft first flew in 2003, with Leonardo having applied for type certification 11 years ago in 2012.

From the published proposals, it appears the FAA intends to certify the AW609 as a special class aircraft under FAR 21.17 (b) and before issuing formal powered-lift airworthiness standards. The consultation process will run through July 10.