Civil Helicopters News

HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum Becomes the First Woman to Pilot the AW609

HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum Becomes the First Woman to Pilot the AW609

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum recently became the first woman to pilot the AW609 tiltrotor.

Her Highness made the flight during a recent visit to Leonardo’s US helicopter headquarters in Philadelphia.

The visit provides gave her the opportunity to test the AW609, making her the first female pilot to fly the tiltrotor.

“Leonardo was honored to host Her Highness, providing this one-of-a-kind experience on the world’s first tiltrotor set to achieve civil certification,” stated William Hunt, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters in the U.S.

“Demonstrating the AW609’s combined fixed and rotary-winded piloting capabilities was a true milestone for the team in Philadelphia,” Hunt added.

“I’m thrilled to be the first female pilot to test this revolutionary aircraft. This is not just a personal milestone but an opportunity to shatter another glass ceiling for women. I always push myself beyond my limits to prove that if I can do it, it is also within the reach of anyone else who is determined enough to try” said Her Highness.

The test flight marks a significant milestone for female pilots in civil aviation.

According to Asian Sky Media’s Civil Helicopter Fleet Report 2021,

Leonardo is the fifth largest helicopter OEM in the Asian-Pacific region.

INDUSTRY REPORTS