Feb. 12--ARLINGTON -- Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland is putting down roots in Arlington for what could be a long stay.
AgustaWestland Tilt-Rotor Co. has taken ownership and control of the former Bell-Agusta BA609 civilian tilt-rotor aircraft program and is moving its 150-person development team into a hangar-office on the east side of Arlington Municipal Airport.
With a long-term development plan and budget, the company plans to finish developing the long-stalled tilt-rotor aircraft, Managing Director Robert LaBelle said.
"We have a master schedule. We have a budget and we're executing it," LaBelle said. "That situation will only get better as we dig into it."
Aviation reporters and others in the industry are in North Texas for the Heli-Expo 2012 trade show, which opens today in Dallas. Some were briefed on the program Saturday by LaBelle and saw a demonstration flight of the aircraft, renamed the AW609.
The 50 or so people braved a biting wind chill to watch test pilot Pietro Venanzi demonstrate the aircraft's speed and maneuverability, making slow turns and flying sideways into the stiff north wind.
The 609, launched by Bell Helicopter in 1997, was planned as a commercial aircraft with the tilt-rotor technology of its military cousin, the V-22 Osprey. AgustaWestland joined as a partner in 1998.
But a succession of Bell executives questioned the long-term viability of and market for the aircraft because of rising cost estimates. Bell made the program a low priority and spent only enough on development to keep work alive.
AgustaWestland officials never lost faith in the program and bought out Bell's interest in 2011 after years of negotiations. Bell is now a subcontractor for AgustaWestland.
The development team, made up of AgustaWestland and Bell employees, was based at Bell's Xworx research and development plant on the west side of the airport.
AgustaWestland, needing facilities separate from Bell's, bought a vacant hangar-office from Global Helicopters and entered into a 40-year lease with the city.
"The city of Arlington and the airport staff have been fabulous to work with," LaBelle said.
LaBelle said the development team will begin moving from the Bell plant in a week or two. Work will also begin shortly on expanding the offices so that ultimately the facility will house the entire development staff, including engineers, technicians and aircraft mechanics.
Only two AW609 test aircraft are built and flying, one each in Italy and Arlington.
Two more are in production, and one will come to the U.S. around 2014 for flight testing and development.
AgustaWestland officials say they strongly believe that the civilian tilt-rotor aircraft has a bright future once it is developed, tested and certified for production and sale by U.S. and European safety agencies.
"We think this is the state of the art," LaBelle said.
Bob Cox, 817-390-7723
Twitter: @bobcoxict
Copyright 2012 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
