The prototype Bell Agusta BA609 tiltrotor, N609TR, made its first flight on March 6, 2003 at the Helicopter flight test center at Arlington Municipal Airport (KGKY), Texas. The program was launched by Bell and Boeing in 1996, but in 1998 Boeing pulled out of the program and Agusta of Italy signed on a development partner on the BA609 tiltrotor and Agusta Bell AB139 helicopter. The first customer demonstration flights, in both airplane and helicopter modes were conducted from a temporary at HAI Heli-Expo 2014 heliport established in the parking lot of Anaheim's Angel Stadium.

Ulrichen was - with 1350m/AMSL - the highest active Air Base in Switzerland, being in operation between 1942 and 1999. After it's closure, it was a few times used by AgustaWestland for high altitude trials of various helicopter prototypes. Such was the case in September of 2009, when the 2nd prototype of the VTOL / Tilt Rotor AW-609 was based there for a week to conduct test flights. Seen here just about to take-off. Unfortunately, this airframe crashed in northern Italy on October 30, 2015 during high speed trials, with loss of both test pilots.

Destroyed in a fatal crash near Vercelli, Italy on 30th October 2015.

Showing the aircraft with engines/rotors in level flight

The third prototype of the AW609 was built in Italy and is undergoing certification testing at Leonardo's facility in Philadelphia, PA. The fourth test aircraft is nearing completion in the USA with the fifth in production configuration under assembly at the time of uploading.

N609TR ready to depart the Orlando Convention Center. Now emblazoned with Bristow and Eastern Airways titles marking the announcement with the Bristow Group to optimize the TiltRotor for commercial operations.