What's the latest news of the V22 Osprey?

[Baldegret]

I was flying my R44 across the Rockies last week and on arriving at Gunnison airport (near Crested Butte), I was joined in the pattern by an Osprey. This aircraft had a test pilot and telemetry crew and was doing high density altitude trials in order to develop the operating envelope. I met the pilot (Chuck) after I had landed and he invited me for a look around the aircraft which was fascinating. To my question, he didn't think the autorotational qualities were worth relying on in the hover or rotor transition from vertical to horizontal and would always go for an aircraft-type glide approach if feasible.

Very impressive beast indeed!

I have some pictures but someone will need to tell me how to post them....

Thanks very much for the photo help to John Eacott; here they are: