AW609 number 3 starts its Ground Run Testing

Helicopter Press Release uploaded a web log entry to Vertical Magazine talking about how ground run testing will become soon. There is a third prototype, coined the A/C3 of AgustaWestland that will finish its ground run at the company’s facilities in Cascina Costa, Italy. This is considered a huge milestone for the company in terms of advancement in testing and research for its flight activities.

When doing the testing, the AW609 A/C3 had all its engines and systems at full operational capacity. This test was done with the intentions of receiving FAA certification which will allow for the aircraft to be deemed as air worthy.

In terms of specifications, the AW609 has the ability to have cruising speeds up to 275 knots at an altitude of 25,000 feet. This aircraft also has the capabilities to travel at a range of 1,000 nautical miles which makes this aircraft proficient in the civil aviation realm of aerospace. The wingspan of this aircraft is 38 feet with a length of 44 feet. The weight of this aircraft is 10840 lbs. This aircraft carries a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6. The aircraft can also carry 2480 lbs of fuel.

The AW609 was made by AgustaWestland which is owned by Finmeccanica S.p.a. AgustaWestland was founded in 2000 with headquartered in Rome, Italy. There are over 12,000 employees that work for the company. AgustaWestland mainly works within the helicopter industry. Bell Augusta Aerospace also worked in conjunction with AgustaWestland. This company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.