hybrid Eurocopter AS350

[alicopter]

Any news about the Eurocopter Hybrid Helicopter concept?? That seems to be such a good idea... but we do not hear much about it.
Safe flying all. Al

[Senior Pilot]

Any news about the Eurocopter Hybrid Helicopter concept?? That seems to be such a good idea... but we do not hear much about it.

Really?

Maybe try the search and find this thread: Eurocopter X3 hybrid (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/409996-eurocopter-x3-hybrid.html) ;)

[alicopter]

Sorry Seniorpilot... I was not talking about the X3 but about the one with the electric motor taking over when the turboprop gives up.... AS350 with the electric backup... no news since last fall?

Eurocopter réalise le premier vol au monde d (http://www.aerobuzz.fr/spip.php?article2171)

[Ian Corrigible]

alicopter,

There was some tech on show at AHS Forum 68 in May and the prototype-to-production process continues, with some interesting weight avoidance possibilities being considered.

(Prior discussion on the topic here (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/426523-future-helicopter-electric-4.html))

I/C

[Senior Pilot]

Sorry Seniorpilot... I was not talking about the X3 but about the one with the electric motor taking over when the turboprop gives up.... AS350 with the electric backup... no news since last fall?

alicopter,

Ian C has linked to previous discussion on this, but I've changed the thread title to make it more relevant to your original post ;)

This article (http://www.eurocopter.com/site/en/press/Eurocopter-innovation-puts-the-focus-on-safety-with-the-world-s-first-flight-of-a-hybrid-helicopter-combining-an-internal-combustion-engine-and-an-electric-motor_823.html) was Eurocopter's press release from October 2011.

Marignane, France, October 04, 2011

Eurocopter has successfully tested a hybrid helicopter that combines a turboshaft internal combustion engine with an electric motor for a world premiere, marking a new milestone in its innovation roadmap that opens the way for further enhancements in rotary-wing aircraft safety.

For this initial breakthrough in exploring the hybrid concept, Eurocopter is using the supplemental electric system to increase maneuverability of a single-engine helicopter during an autorotation landing – which is performed by helicopters in the event of a main engine failure.

The demonstrator helicopter is a production version of Eurocopter’s highly successful light single-engine AS350, which has been equipped with a supplementary electric motor. In the event of an engine failure, the electric motor provides power to the rotor, allowing a pilot to control the helicopter very easily during the descent to a safe touchdown. The next step is to bring this concept to maturity and evaluate its implementation on Eurocopter’s series production helicopters.

[alicopter]

Thank you SeniorPilot and IanCorrigible... Does anyone know how close we are from commercialisation of this hybrid system? Any details on power, additional weight, range, autonomy, if retrofitting possible when available, costs etc... seems to be such a good idea, I am surprised it does not attract more interest... (nothing since last october???)