Bell Helicopter will decide in the next two weeks whether to take a major risk-sharing partner in the 609 Commercial Tiltrotor, president and CEO Terry Stinson told Show News.

"There is a 50-50 chance we will. We aim to firm up by the end of this month whether we will or we won't have risk-sharing partners," he said.

Bell assumed former partner Boeing's 49% stake in the program last February after Boeing decided to leave the commercial helicopter market. Boeing remains a member of the 609 team, and is a partner with Bell on the V-22 Osprey military tiltrotor.

"Do we plan any other large scale players in the 609?" Stinson asked rhetorically. "If they bring a capacity or capability we don't have, or can open new markets, we would be interested. We have talked to a number of companies.

"Now a couple of companies are talking to us. They are a couple we know well, who have a tremendous amount of interest. They are trying to explain to us what they can bring, and we are very interested. It will be a toss up, but we will probably accept only one major partner."

Stinson stressed that Bell will retain majority ownership of the program. "We love this aircraft. We're not going to give it away," he said.

Total commitments for the tiltrotor now stand at 67 from customers spread over 16 countries on all continents, who have stumped up $100,000 deposits for each aircraft. Bell originally said it would be happy with 30 orders before production began; now Stinson expects to have 100 on the books by that point.

Development of the aircraft is well under way. Engineering drawings are 40% completed, and almost 15% of the production tooling is in place. Two thirds of the outside purchasing is signed up, with Aerostructures of Nashville a risk-sharing partner on the fuselage.

Bell has upped its performance expectations, too. It is anticipating a 10-kt increase in cruise speed to 280 kts, a 50-nmi increase in range to 750 nmi, and a single-engine service ceiling of 18,000 feet.

Military interest is also building in the civil tiltrotor, especially from the U.S. Marines as a trainer for V-22 Osprey pilots, and from the U.S. Coast Guard. While these are the most immediate prospects, armed and special operations versions are also under study, Stinson said. "Even without the military-and this is going to find its way into military service-we see sales of 1,000 aircraft over the next 20 years," he said.

Published base price for the 609 is $8 million to $10 million in 1996 dollars. It includes a Rockwell Collins dual pilot IFR and single pilot VFR glass cockpit and a basic interior. Single pilot IFR is available as an option.

Serial numbers and delivery dates will be determined after final purchase agreements are signed six months after the first flight, now scheduled for mid 1999. Four prototype aircraft will be built next year. Wing-to-fuselage mating for production aircraft is scheduled for January, 1999, and certification and delivery are planned for the first quarter, 2001.

By John Morris