The Bell/Agusta BA609 has completed its first flight with the landing gear up and the proprotor nacelles at 60 degrees in flight testing at the Bell Helicopter XworX in Texas. "We believe conversion to full aeroplace mode is only a few flights away," executive programme director Don Barbour confirmed at Paris. The first gear up flight for the six to nine passenger tiltrotor was completed this week with Bell/Agusta pilots Roy Hopkins and Pietro Venanzi at the controls. With the nacelles at 60 degrees and gear up the BA609 achieved a top speed of 125kts.
Source: Flight Daily News
