Civil Helicopters News

Hill Helicopters Orders Reach 830

Hill Helicopters Orders Reach 830

Hill Helicopters has accumulated orders totaling 830 as the company gears up to publicly debut the first completed HX50 helicopter at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, UK, in December. 

Hill Helicopters has made significant progress in developing its HX50 aircraft, having recently completed the initial fuselage and tailboom assembly. The Staffordshire-based firm has successfully manufactured a range of components such as turbine fans, gears, and bearings. The design of its GT50 turbine engine is almost finished.

According to Jason Hill, CEO and founder, the company’s order book comprises 673 HX50 kit helicopters and 157 HC50 variants pending certification. The orders have been placed by customers in 59 countries.

Hill said people who come to the event at the museum on December 7 will be able to “experience the HX50 for the very first time”.

“You’ll be able to sit in the seats, you’ll be able to see the lines of the aircraft, use the digital cockpit and experience what it’s going to be like to own one of these for yourself,” he said during a monthly webcast. “You’ll also get to experience the GT50 engine for the first time. And we’ll be rolling out the drivetrain and the rotor systems.”

He also went on to describe the standard features that will be available on board the helicopter, which include leather seats, climate control, a digital cockpit, a two-axis autopilot, retractable landing gear, and a variety of color options.

The HX50 comes equipped with five seats and can travel 700 nautical miles (1,296 km) at a cruise speed of 140 knots (259 kph). 


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