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Tiltrotor

Browse 3 aircraft types with ICAO codes and specifications

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3 aircraft
ICAO Name Manufacturer Engines Category WTC IATA
B609 Agustawestland AW-609 AGUSTAWESTLAND 2× Turboprop Tiltrotor M
V280 Bell V-280 Valor BELL 2× Turboprop Tiltrotor M
V22 Bell-boeing CV-22 Osprey BELL-BOEING 2× Turboprop Tiltrotor M
3 Aircraft types
3 Manufacturers
Turboprop/Turboshaft Primary engine type

About Tiltrotor Aircraft

Best of both worlds

Tiltrotor aircraft take off like a helicopter and cruise like a fixed-wing plane, combining VTOL capability with turboprop speed.

V-22 Osprey

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is the iconic tiltrotor, used by US military for combat assault, special operations and search-and-rescue.

Speed advantage

Tiltrotors cruise at 450–500 km/h — roughly twice the speed of a helicopter — dramatically reducing mission time.

Civil potential

Companies like Bell (AW609) and Joby are developing civil tiltrotors for regional air mobility and vertiport networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous tiltrotor aircraft?

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, introduced in the 1990s and widely used by the US military. The Leonardo AW609 is the first civilian-certified tiltrotor, aimed at business aviation.

How does a tiltrotor convert between modes?

The engine nacelles rotate 90 degrees: pointing upward for helicopter-mode hover and take-off, then tilting forward to align with the wing for fixed-wing cruise. The transition takes about 12 seconds.

Are tiltrotors fuel-efficient?

Less efficient than a pure helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft individually, but more efficient overall for missions requiring both VTOL and high-speed cruise — the combination eliminates the need for a runway.