Leonardo Plans 'Maturity Flights' for AW609 Tiltrotor After Certification

The manufacturer says the aircraft will appeal to a range of operators, from search-and-rescue to VVIP transport.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:51pm

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Leonardo is nearing the end of a decades-long process to bring the first commercial tiltrotor aircraft, the AW609, to market. While the company had hoped to complete certification testing with the FAA this year, various delays have pushed the timeline back. Once certified, Leonardo plans to immediately begin 'maturity flights' with operators to help induct the new technology. The company sees the tiltrotor appealing to a wide range of missions, from search-and-rescue to VVIP transport.

Why it matters

The AW609 represents a major milestone in the development of tiltrotor technology, which promises to provide operators with the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter combined with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. As the first commercial tiltrotor to reach the certification stage, the AW609's entry into service could pave the way for wider adoption of this emerging technology across various industries.

The details

Leonardo has three AW609 prototypes currently flying, with a fourth aircraft in the final stages of assembly. The certification efforts are being led by AC4 and AC5, which are undergoing testing at Leonardo's facilities in Italy and the U.S., respectively. Once FAA certification is achieved, Leonardo plans to immediately pursue approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. After certification, the company intends to begin a 'maturity flight' program with operators, similar to Airbus Helicopters' 'route-proving' for the H160 offshore transport helicopter. This will allow potential customers to experience the aircraft and tailor its capabilities to their specific mission requirements.

  • Leonardo expects to receive the certification basis from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency 'soon'.
  • The fourth AW609 prototype, AC6, should be ready to take its first flight in the next two months.

The players

Leonardo

An Italian aerospace, defense and security company that is developing the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. aviation regulatory authority that is overseeing the certification process for the AW609.

European Union Aviation Safety Agency

The European aviation regulatory authority that will also certify the AW609 once FAA certification is achieved.

Matteo Ragazzi

The Senior Vice President of engineering and innovation at Leonardo.

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What they’re saying

“You don't feel it. You feel instead that when you go to airplane mode, the rotors go down to 84 percent [rpm], so that's what you feel.”

— Matteo Ragazzi, Senior Vice President of engineering and innovation

“To induct the new technology, you cannot just go there and sell something. You need to have [operators] coming on board. So there will be a lot of maturity [flights].”

— Matteo Ragazzi, Senior Vice President of engineering and innovation

What’s next

Once FAA certification is achieved, Leonardo plans to immediately begin 'maturity flights' with operators to help induct the new tiltrotor technology.

The takeaway

The AW609 tiltrotor represents a major technological breakthrough that could transform a range of industries, from search-and-rescue to VVIP transport. However, Leonardo recognizes that successfully introducing this new type of aircraft will require a careful, collaborative approach with potential operators to ensure a smooth transition and widespread adoption.