Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum first woman to pilot AW609 tilt rotor - in pictures

  • Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum has become the first woman to pilot the 'half-plane, half-helicopter' Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor. All photos: Leonardo
    Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum has become the first woman to pilot the 'half-plane, half-helicopter' Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor. All photos: Leonardo
  • Sheikha Mozah piloted the aircraft during a visit to the Italian defence and aerospace company's US helicopter headquarters in Philadelphia.
    Sheikha Mozah piloted the aircraft during a visit to the Italian defence and aerospace company's US helicopter headquarters in Philadelphia.
  • Sheikha Mozah, a member of the Dubai ruling family, with Leonardo officials in Philadelphia.
    Sheikha Mozah, a member of the Dubai ruling family, with Leonardo officials in Philadelphia.
  • Sheikha Mozah talking with Leonardo officials.
    Sheikha Mozah talking with Leonardo officials.
  • Sheikha Mozah said she was thrilled to be the first female pilot to fly the AW609 tiltrotor.
    Sheikha Mozah said she was thrilled to be the first female pilot to fly the AW609 tiltrotor.
  • Sheikha Mozah gets ready to fly the innovative aircraft.
    Sheikha Mozah gets ready to fly the innovative aircraft.
  • Sheikha Mozah says piloting the AW609 had been on her bucket list since she first saw images of the prototype.
    Sheikha Mozah says piloting the AW609 had been on her bucket list since she first saw images of the prototype.
  • The tiltrotor combines the strengths of the helicopter and plane. It can take off and land vertically and hover like a helicopter, but also fly at more than 500 kilometres an hour and cover almost 1,400km.
    The tiltrotor combines the strengths of the helicopter and plane. It can take off and land vertically and hover like a helicopter, but also fly at more than 500 kilometres an hour and cover almost 1,400km.
  • Leonardo expects civil, government and military demand for the plane once it receives US Federal Aviation Administration certification.
    Leonardo expects civil, government and military demand for the plane once it receives US Federal Aviation Administration certification.
  • Sheikha Mozah said her flight was 'not just a personal milestone but an opportunity to shatter another glass ceiling for women'.
    Sheikha Mozah said her flight was 'not just a personal milestone but an opportunity to shatter another glass ceiling for women'.
  • Sheikha Mozah making aviation history at the controls of the AW609 tiltrotor.
    Sheikha Mozah making aviation history at the controls of the AW609 tiltrotor.