Hill Helicopters HX50

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https://www.flightglobal.com/helicop...150454.article

Hill Helicopters is already working on early stage concepts for its next programme, the UK start-up’s founder and chief executive has revealed.

Speaking during a monthly online update on 4 October, Dr Jason Hill said the company was particularly interested in two designs beyond its current HX50 and HC50 light-singles, both of which are still in development.

These would be a “twin-engined, more capable machine” and a “hybrid machine”, he says.

......Hill Helicopters has also outlined some of the operations that will be undertaken by customers as part of the self-build process for the HX50. Regulations require buyers to assemble 51% of the helicopter, excluding the transmission, rotors, engine and avionics.

Although the complete process has yet to be fully defined, Dr Hill says, as an example, owners will be “likely involved” in the lay-up of carbonfibre panels for the fuselage, adding: “It is something that will be supported by our staff using our equipment.”