Leonardo Completes First Flight of Civil Tiltrotor NGCTR and Advances in Sustainable VTOL Aviation

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Leonardo performs 1st flight of civil NGCTR tiltrotor and advances in sustainable VTOL aviation
Leonardo performs 1st flight of civil NGCTR tiltrotor and advances in sustainable VTOL aviation (X @LDO_Helicopters)

Leonardo performed the first flight of the Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor – Technology Demonstrator (NGCTR-TD) on December 19, 2025, in Cascina Costa, northern Italy.

Developed under the European Clean Sky 2 program, the demonstrator marks a decisive step in the research of high-speed civil VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, combining helicopter features with performance close to that of turboprop airplanes, focusing on reducing environmental impact.

The inaugural flight consisted of a brief hover maneuver aimed at verifying the aircraft’s stability and systems. From now on, the NGCTR-TD will enter a progressive flight test campaign, which will include more complex profiles, such as the transition between helicopter and airplane modes, one of the most critical phases for tiltrotors. The program anticipates up to 200 flight hours to validate key technologies at the full aircraft level.

Based on the AW609 platform, the demonstrator incorporates innovations in wings, tail, engine installation, and flight control systems, aiming to achieve a cruise speed of around 520 km/h and a range of up to 1,850 km.

In addition to the operational benefits for passenger transport, cargo, and search and rescue missions, the NGCTR aims to reduce CO₂, NOx emissions, and noise, strengthening the European strategy for leadership in sustainable civil aviation.

Source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @LDO_Helicopters | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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