Bell Boeing signs customers for planned civil tiltrotor

Sea Power, Aug 1997

Bell Boeing has announced initial sales of its proposed Model 609 civil tiltrotor aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2001. As of 15 June, orders for 29 Bell Boeing 609s had been placed by 21 buyers.

Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing Defense and Space Group's Helicopters Division, which announced a joint venture in November 1995 to build the civil tiltrotor aircraft, bring to the 609 program extensive experience in designing and manufacturing the military V-22 Osprey tiltrotor transport. The companies plan to complete the first of four prototypes in 1998.

The all-weather Bell Boeing 609, which is scheduled to make its first flight in 1999, is expected to cruise at 275 knots and have a maximum unrefueled range of 750 nautical miles (1,000 nautical miles with auxiliary tanks). A pressurized cabin will accommodate nine passengers and a crew of two. The aircraft is projected to be able to transport a useful load of 5,500 pounds.

Bell Boeing said at the Paris Air Show in June that tiltrotor aircraft offer increased flexibility and productivity, improved passenger comfort, and lower operating costs (compared to helicopters). The Model 609 is being marketed for, among other missions, offshore resource development, emergency medical services, disaster relief services, executive transport services, and search and rescue.

Customers for the Model 609 include: U.S.-based Evergreen Helicopters and Petroleum Helicopters; Canadian Helicopter Corporation; Helicopter Services Group (Norway); Helitech DTY Limited (Australia); AeroValls (Andorra); Lloyds Investments USA (Poland); and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.