Vertical flight has always been the domain of helicopters, giving users greater flexibility than traditional airplanes that require the use of airports. The downside of helicopters, however, is that they often lack range, capacity, and speed compared to airplanes.
A Sikorsky S-76 helicopter.
Associated press
One company is looking to change that by combining the flexibility of a helicopter with the functionality of an airplane.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Leonardo
Aerospace giant Leonardo pioneered the first commercial tiltrotor aircraft with the AW609. The principle is simple: it takes off and lands like a helicopter and flies like a plane.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021
Marina Lystseva TASS via Getty
Take a closer look at the Leonardo AW609, which was on display at the Dubai Airshow 2021.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Thomas Pallini / Insider
The AW609 was one of the most unique aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow as the only civilian tiltrotor.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
Thomas Pallini / Insider
The US military has long enjoyed the benefits of tiltrotors, most notably with the Bell / Boeing V-22 Osprey in service with the Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy.
Santiparp Wattanaporn / Shutterstock.com
“In aviation history, you see technology migrating from the military side to the commercial side, and the tiltrotor is no different,†Bill Sunick Jr, Leonardo’s tiltrotor marketing manager, told Insider. And the public will finally be able to benefit from the capabilities of the tiltrotors.
A Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor Dubai Airshow 2021
GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP via Getty
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