Originally Posted by
Agile
How "complete" will that be? I know the airframe is on the way to being completed, big question, rotor head, blades and engine, will that be a vulgar mock up or finalized parts with test data.
Latest owners app update summary (I’m sure JasonHill would approve posting). Difficult to capture the detail in a 30min video but here’s the gist:
- Windows: various production trials and tests around bonding and moulds for production quality transparencies.
- Lighting: front nose landing light cluster LED’s being developed using a lighting company. Edge signature light experiments.
- Cockpit: HMI trials to tweak final layout and ergonomics of control. Rapid prototype controls demonstrated.
- Fuselage Misc: begin of door trial work (watertight, handle feel etc) using the test fuselages.
- Digital cockpit (HDC): transfer of interface to onboard hardware ongoing. Ongoing work interfacing with remote mount radios/transponder etc.
- FADEC: control laws & algorithms/maths done. Written and integrated into simulator / HDC. Hardware being made. Demo’d on sim.
- Flight control software: stability augmentation and 4-axis autopilot algorithms being finalised.
- Engine: demo’d fully made prototype bladed disc (HP). Will be casted blades. Casting trials complete. More efficient than the blisk version + 5x life improvements. LP proto 1-2 weeks away. Many test engine components being produced. Demo’d quite a few finished components such as shafts with all couplings, seals etc. Design of engine close to finalised.
- Combustor: vibration mode analysis being finalised. Aerodynamics done. About 1 week away from design freeze & being able to start making annular combustor parts.
- StarterGenny: too hot at lower idle rpm, so requires change of cooling strategy to fuel cooling. Hardware design change done, awaiting power electronics.
- Upcoming engine test strategy discussed in detail. Essentially phased tests.
- Drivetrain: most proto components made. A few need to be remade due to some dimension changes. Demo’d spiral bevel gears, reduction gears, torque shaft, etc. Casings and bearings being produced. “Soft” proto versions used for lubrication trials, final fit/function trials. Hardened gears will be made soon for (5000h) endurance trials later this year. A couple of months until full drivetrain test ready parts made.
- Composites: tail assembly being made whilst simultaneously using/developing production techniques.
- Talked about the old gantry mill going at slow speed making some composite work difficult, trying to order a new one.
- Demo’d metallic inserts to show customers how components bolt onto the composite airframe (educational)
- lots more about composites and tail assembly and production processes, etc. Essentially how the prototype aircraft and production moulds and process will be different and in parallel.
Nothing on main rotor head, but has previously said that’s getting his current attention, but can’t discuss until IP of how it’s packaged tightly (so can be cowled). Previously has publicly said its elastomeric bearing semi rigid. Blades he’s only once briefly discussed and didn’t seem too worried.
Live AMA 24th May 1600h GMT. Meetup event early December.