Civilian VTOL spotted during test flight - Leonardo AW609
Posted by jpcarsmedia@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 23 comments
Posted by jpcarsmedia@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 23 comments
NeedleGunMonkey@reddit
Be curious to see how the industry embraces it after the inevitable first incidents. Rotary wing aircraft and general aviation have much higher accident rates than commercial aviation. These will have to overcome a lot of inertial amongst the clients who may have infinite money but only one life.
aka_Handbag@reddit
Does “inevitable first incidents” include the 2015 one or once it’s certified?
ThrowTheSky4way@reddit
Everyone knows accidents while in prototype don’t count
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
I'm curious too, who is going to buy, fly, maintain it? It's such a unique aircraft I can see mainly the Uber wealthy or governments flying it for now.
bruhtp04@reddit
How cool! We got one test-flying here in MXP as well but I've never got to see one flying. There's one on display at a museum nearby and I used to love it!
Fabri91@reddit
You're thinking of the mock-up on display at Volandia near the Milan Malpensa airport - I remember seeing it in 2011.
bruhtp04@reddit
I didn't know that was a mock up to be fair. Plenty of time since the last time I visited Volandia, sadly
DanieleDraganti@reddit
Seen it flying over my house once (near MXP)!
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
Very cool. I'll try and get some video of it next time it's around.
indylovelace@reddit
All the issues with the V22 Osprey, the complexity of the gearing, I’m not sure I would ever want to step foot on one of these as a civilian. Am I missing something?
rustyskies@reddit
Maybe the fact that despite a lot of internet attention the V22 is basically as safe or as dangerous as anything else the military flies.
Now add in 20 years of real world operational tiltrotor use, I would think this has a lot of improvements over the current V22 philosophy.
I would fly one any day.
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
Yeah I'm going to let the ultra wealthy beta test it first.
wewd@reddit
The new Doctor Killer? Move over, V-tail Bonanza!
SaltyMxSlave@reddit
Wild, the rotors aren’t sync’d in this photo.
contrail_25@reddit
They are designed that way. My inner V-22 gets all bent outa shape when I see it. Lol
I think it was for vibration reduction? Sure the internet will tell us.
SaltyMxSlave@reddit
Yeah, that’s my experience too. Hence the confusion.
EmotioneelKlootzak@reddit
I honestly can't think of a good reason other than vibration reduction. Which makes sense if your intent is to carry civilian passengers.
nopantspaul@reddit
Looks like the 609 rotors are phased 60 degrees from each other.
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
Interesting. Yeah, the rotors are like this in other photos too.
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
It was slightly yawing to the left when I took the photo. Maybe that's why.
AbeFromanEast@reddit
22 years since its first flight, hopefully it is closer to certification. Beautiful aircraft.
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
Had no idea it was that old. Been seeing it fly over almost every day for a couple of weeks now. It makes a smooth hum that carries for miles.
jpcarsmedia@reddit (OP)
If you're between NJ and Philadelphia you may see this thing flying over. I assume they are doing test flights to gain FAA certification.