Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum has become the first woman to pilot the AW609 tiltrotor, setting a new and important milestone for female pilots in civil aviation.
Sheikha Mozah piloted the aircraft during her visit to the American global aircraft manufacturer Leonardo‘s headquarters located in Philadelphia.
Commenting on the opportunity to personally test the AW609, Sheikha Mozah said: “I’m thrilled to be the first female pilot to test this revolutionary aircraft. It was not only 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.”
“Piloting the AW609 has been something I’ve truly wanted to experience since I first saw the early prototype images. It is the natural evolution of my piloting experience, merging both fixed and rotary-winged piloting skills. Planes like the AW609 tiltrotor make me feel really excited about the future of aviation, a future now open to more women who chose this industry,” she added.
The AW609 is one of the most significant technological innovations in the civil aviation landscape. It takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies at the speed of a plane.
The aircraft is set to open new and exciting possibilities for passenger transport and public service as it is the world’s first tiltrotor set to achieve civil certification. The aircraft is able to operate different kinds of missions, including emergency medical service, search and rescue, and government applications.
