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See the ‘Ultra-Exclusive’, Futuristic ‘Tiltrotor’ Aircraft NYC Mayor Bloomberg Wants

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wait List for AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor That Could Cost Up to $30 Million

AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor won't be available until 2016 and could cost between $5 million and $30 million. (Photo: AgustaWestland)

It’s a helicopter. It’s plane. The AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor is both, and it won’t be available until 2016. But among those on its waiting list is helicopter enthusiast and New York City major Michael Bloomberg.

The New York Times reports Bloomberg, who already owns a $4.5 million copter through his company, is an avid fan of flying in them for both business and pleasure. For example:

On the morning of March 16, a thick fog shrouded the city, causing huge delays at La Guardia Airport, where the mayor and several lawmakers were waiting to travel to Albany for a news conference on state pension reform. So Mr. Bloomberg offered to fly his guests, who included James P. Molinaro, the Staten Island borough president; Thomas M. Roach, the mayor of White Plains; a mayoral aide, Micah C. Lasher; and a security officer, in his helicopter instead.

As the mayor took the controls and steered north, he pointed out the Catskills and asked his passengers if they felt airsick. Mr. Molinaro, who previously flew Navy helicopters, said he was impressed with the mayor’s skills, especially during the landing.

“He came down nice and slow,” Mr. Molinaro said. “It was like you were just sliding. There wasn’t even a bounce.”

Bloomberg’s passion for piloting is relatively well-known, although he did decline an interview with the Times for its article.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wait List for AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor That Could Cost Up to $30 Million

(Photo: AgustaWestland)

According to the New York Times, the Tiltortor coveted by Bloomberg and others on the “ultra-exclusive” waiting list doesn’t have a list price yet but reports are it cost between $5 million and $30 million. Gizmag reported earlier this year that the AgustaWestland AW609 began development in 1996 with several prototypes coming out within the decade and a half that followed. Gizmag has more details:

The AW609 is designed to fly with a crew of one or two and accommodate six to nine passengers. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turboshaft engines, each delivering 1,940 hp (1,447 kW), the AW609 boasts a range of 700 nautical miles (805 miles, 1,296 km).

AgustaWestland is aiming to receive FAA certification for the AW609 in the first half of 2016 with deliveries set to begin immediately after. The company says it has already received orders for around 70 of the aircraft to perform a range of commercial and government roles. AgustaWestland says the AW609′s capabilities make it ideal for applications such as emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (SAR), transport for “deepwater” oil and gas facilities, and transporting VIPs and Heads of State to and from congested urban areas inaccessible for fixed wing aircraft.

AgustaWestland describes the tiltorotor, which can takeoff and land vertically, as combining the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wait List for AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor That Could Cost Up to $30 Million

(Image: AgustaWestland)

The aircraft is similar in concept to the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, which was one of the first designed as a helicopter/airplane hybrid. The Osprey is designed to meet military needs, whereas the Tiltrotor could have recreational use.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wait List for AgustaWestland AW609 Tiltrotor That Could Cost Up to $30 Million

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey (Photo: Boeing)

Check out this Aero Network TV report on the copter/plane from a few years ago:

You can get a closer look of the equipment below:

The Times reports fiction writer Patricia Cornwell, who flies copters as well and has discussed them with the mayor, as saying, “You take someone like the mayor, this is a really handy thing. It’s a bird’s-eye view of America from your cockpit.”

Read more details about Bloomberg‘s interest in piloting helicopters in the Times’ article here.

Comments (79)

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  • XdemXrepub
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 7:20pm

    GO! Gravity GO!

    Report Post » XdemXrepub  
    • absolutelynot
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 11:24pm

      the osprey has a history of crashing so there is Hope

       
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 2:36am

      Yes, hope remains alive and well…

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • lukerw
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 6:12am

      The real point is… Bloomberg is a Power Mad Leftist… and would be Dictator, even if over just an Island!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • SgtB
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 11:29am

      The osprey suffers from the new age of mass media. In fact, it killed fewer men in its’ field testing than any other helicopter the military has produced before. There was that one big accident, but trust me, if you are awaiting a military air transport save your life and get you to a FOB so you can get sewn up, then you want to know an osprey is coming for you. They fly almost twice as fast and can carry more weight than even the big ch-57 that the navy considers to be its’ heavy lifter among helicopters. So it has plenty of power and speed to spare when compared to legacy aircraft. That said, they are more expensive to maintain and are thirsty. But all military aircraft chug fuel.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • Avi8or
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 5:43pm

      I’d love to fly one of those. Very challenging I bet…

      Here’s a great ode to New York: New York I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down. Love the line, “Your mild billionaire mayor is now convinced he’s a king.”
      http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=new+york+i+love+you%2c+but+your%27e+freaking+me+out&view=detail&mid=CDBFFDCB6E260153174ECDBFFDCB6E260153174E&first=0&qpvt=new+york+i+love+you%2c+but+your%27e+freaking+me+out

      Report Post » Avi8or  
  • Joyzee
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:57pm

    Chop Chop Chopper made in china

    Report Post »  
  • wrazzlin1
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:04pm

    whats the carbon footprint

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:52pm

      If Al Gore decides that he wants one….. he won’t bother asking that question.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Ben__Franklin
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Hmmm, thats really odd part of the 99% Like Bloomberg could afford 30 million dollar airplane for himself after all that Wealth Redistribution. Where is Michael Moore, Danny Glover, and Nancy Pelosi on this issue?

    Report Post »  
  • Stone Cold Truth
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:58pm

    I wonder if he has a salt shaker on board. Mastermind jerk.

    Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:17pm

    If it is printed, then where is it boozo.

    Report Post »  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:09pm

    Futuristic? I saw this plane being tested in Buffalo, NY 30 years ago.

    Report Post »  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:54pm

      They have been trying to get it to work I guess. The government’s Osprey tilt rotor has historically been one of the more problematic aircraft in the inventory.

      Report Post » babylonvi  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 7:50pm

      Yeah when I worked at Boeing the company paper talked a lot about it during development and blurbs about its troubles during testing. And in my opinion has anybody got video of what happens when one engine fails during vertical lift. And what happens when an engine fails during transition from vertical to horizontal flight. I would be interesting to see what happened during testing with those failures.

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
  • Lotus503
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:04pm

    Too cool of a plane for an elitist creep like Bloomberg…

    Report Post »  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:11pm

      I hope Boomberg gets one ASAP. These things don’t glide in an engine failure situation (as far as I know). All these aircraft amount to are expensive eventual smoking holes in the ground.

      I don’t know what idiot ever approved these things for the military.

      If I’m wrong, someone please correct me with some tangible evidence.

      Report Post »  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:01pm

      Helicopters don’t glide well either.

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • pavnvet
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:14pm

      They do auto rotate, which although is not a soft landing, it can be one you walk away from. And, you know what they say about any landing you walk away from.

      Report Post » pavnvet  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:46pm

      @ pavnvet

      They do auto rotate, which although is not a soft landing, it can be one you walk away from. And, you know what they say about any landing you walk away from.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      A properly executed autorotation has no problem terminating with a soft landing. I’ve done it many times without the slightest bit of damage to the aircraft or the passengers. The deciding factors are based on the proficiency of the pilot, their familiarity of the aircraft being flown, and the surface integrity and composition of the landing area.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:50pm

      @TSUNAMI-22
      How well do they land on Aircraft Carriers in rough seas? Just curios….

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 7:09pm

      The-Monk

      How well do they land on Aircraft Carriers in rough seas? Just curios….
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      No first-hand experience with this. I’m sure there are weather minimums for the military that dictate operational procedures with regards to this, but like I said, I don’t know.

      Report Post »  
  • Belchfire V-8
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:03pm

    He can buy what he wants. It’s his money. I would love to have an OV-10.

    Report Post » Belchfire V-8  
  • Kerstile
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:41pm

    I believe that he wants to buy one with HIS money not NY’s. This is a PERSONAL purchase. Since I don’t care what Hizzoner buys with HIS money, why is this news? Are we like the leftists? “Oh, look at how rich Hizzoner is buying that $30,000,000 toy.” He built his company. He gets to enjoy the fruits of his labors. Isn’t that our philosophy? It sure is mine.

    C’mon folks. Please read a bit more carefully.

    Report Post » Kerstile  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 5:06pm

      Ole Boogerhead will find some way to screw us out of the money to buy it..

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • cessna152
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:34pm

    I hope he gets one.. they tend to have a higher % of stalling during transformation from vertical to horizontal. Please buy one Mr. Bloomberg!

    Report Post » cessna152  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:21pm

    All the TAX Payers money sunk in this plane

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:18pm

    He has the money, let him buy his own.

    Report Post »  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:10pm

    So a tilt Rotor Osprey is too good for our Marines but it is good for the Mayor (read King) of New York City

    Report Post »  
  • Salamander
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:52pm

    So, we can now tell Mayor Bloomberg to ‘Go fly a tiltrotor’, rather than ‘Go fly a kite”!

    Report Post »  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:44pm

    That’s a pretty neat looking craft. That will keep ya captive in Babylon, won’t it? Oh yeah.

    Itsjusttim  
  • Infidel49
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:28pm

    Flew on the Osprey in Iraq. It was an awesome ride.

    Report Post » Infidel49  
    • dumbgrunt33
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:16pm

      Yea man, but those drop out of the skies too often…..

      Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:22pm

      Likewise,,, another one just dropped killing 2 of our brothers…I felt safer in the 46‘s and 53’s…

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:32pm

      So, let Bloomberg have his.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Schteveo
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 8:26pm

      My younger son was a Marine Combat Engineer, he hated flying in Ospreys. He said two guys he was in basic training with died on their first flight in one. It wasn’t his favorite memory of them, obviously.

      But I’d be glad to see Bloomie buy one!

      Report Post »  
  • OlderNSmarter
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:27pm

    He wants $30 million to build an airplane but David Serada can’t get a backer to build an antigravity aircraft.He made his design public domain.

    Report Post »  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:33pm

      That’s great, now they just have to figure out how to travel far far from the earth without having their soul die. It always makes me chuckle when they do the enclosed environment experiments to simulate life on Mars, but it just isn’t that easy.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:26pm

    Better enjoy it Mr. Mayor, because after the world population declines, you’ll never walk with God again.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on April 14, 2012 at 12:25pm

      Do you really think that he ever walked with God??

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:23pm

    He can buy it himself!

    Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:23pm

    That’s chump change for the nanny state a-hole.
    Maybe he’ll buy one for sharpton, too.

    Report Post »  
  • Atilla
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:22pm

    I wonder if it’s going to run on algae or maybe the salt that the moron has prohibited from voluntary consumption. Classic elitist A hole.

    Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:19pm

    How will the 99% like you now, Bloomie?

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • h158x
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:14pm

    I’ll take two

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:13pm

    Don’t let OWS know about this, they will want a ride.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
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