Aerospace

HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum first woman to pilot AW609 tiltrotor

The first woman to pilot AW609 tiltrotor

Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum flew the AW609 tiltrotor during a visit to the Leonardo US helicopter headquarters in Philadelphia, creating a significant new milestone for female pilots in civil aviation.

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‘I’m thrilled to be the first female pilot to test this ground-breaking aircraft,’ she exclaimed. Not only is this a personal achievement, but it also presents a chance for women to break through yet another glass ceiling. To show that if I can do it, anyone else who is willful enough to try can also, I always push myself even beyond my limits.

Her Highness had the honour of testing the ground-breaking AW609, the first tiltrotor system to be certified for use in civil aviation, at Leonardo.

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“Ever since I first saw the early prototype images, flying the AW609 has been at the top of my bucket list. Combining my fixed-wing and rotary-wing piloting abilities is the logical next step in the evolution of my flying experience. I still have to pinch myself for getting this chance! This aircraft and others like it give me a lot of hope for the future of aviation, which is now more accessible to women who choose this line of work.

One of the most important technological advancements in civil aviation is the AW609. It combines the operational versatility of vertical takeoff and landing with the performance advantages of a pressurized cabin, speed, altitude, and endurance, creating new and exciting opportunities for passenger transport and public service.

Related Topics:AW609 Tiltrotor First woman pilot

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.