The prototype Bell Agusta BA609 tiltrotor, N609TR, made its first flight on March 6, 2003 at the Helicopter flight test center at Arlington Municipal Airport (KGKY), Texas. The program was launched by Bell and Boeing in 1996, but in 1998 Boeing pulled out of the program and Agusta of Italy signed on a development partner on the BA609 tiltrotor and Agusta Bell AB139 helicopter. The first customer demonstration flights, in both airplane and helicopter modes were conducted from a temporary at HAI Heli-Expo 2014 heliport established in the parking lot of Anaheim's Angel Stadium.

N609TR ready to depart the Orlando Convention Center. Now emblazoned with Bristow and Eastern Airways titles marking the announcement with the Bristow Group to optimize the TiltRotor for commercial operations.