Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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As the AW609 continues type inspection authorization activities with regulators, Leonardo is targeting entry into service of the civil tiltrotor in 2027. “We will soon start maturity assessment activities to explore the use of the aircraft in operational contexts” such as civilian, public service, and government operations, the Italian OEM said. This includes market promotion and demo flights for potential customers and other users.
Tiltrotors fall under the FAA’s powered-lift category, a regime that aircraft such as the AW609 will have to meet. This represents, Leonardo said, “an all-new regulatory framework also including the stringent requirements typically set in the civil sector. This is unprecedented in the industry and requires time and multiple reviews before each step ahead is taken, [then] moving to the next stage of development, testing, and assessment. It is always worth noting this is not just an industry effort, it’s a shared effort involving other players, especially the FAA.”
The rotorcraft’s basic configuration is complete, and all main and core hardware and software are “firmly established and integrated.” Leonardo later plans to develop specific mission configurations that will require additional equipment and systems.
Leonardo believes the most promising civil market for the AW609 is for passenger transport and VIP travel “at the early stage of operational activities.” It added, “The government market has shown growing interest (for logistical transfer, patrol, and maritime applications), therefore we’re adapting to this evolved scenario with a more balanced approach in terms of analysis and promotion.”

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