Originally Posted by
wrench1
What I find interesting is most here seem to believe that an experimental amateur built aircraft is some how a “sub-par” aircraft that only attracts sub-par individuals. I don’t know if that’s due to limited experience or exposure with this class or simply some sort of bias. Or perhaps its just a geographical issue where E/AB aircraft are the exception vs the norm like in the US. In reality, the same types of people that buy certified aircraft also buy E/AB aircraft to include people of means. And one of the main reasons is to enjoy the greater flexibility and benefits of an E/AB aircraft like a number of the HX slot owners want.
How many of those many thousands of E/AB aircraft are rotary?
And how many are first time designs from a company with no previous track record?
Yes, the E/AB market is very healthy but the majority are FW and the majority of those that are home built are from plans from established manufacturers that have been built and flown for many years.
Hill is exploiting the E/AB certification to keep costs down but he will still have to demonstrate airworthiness in a many hours of test flying - I think the normal is 25-40 hours but I can't imagine a complex, brand new helicopter design will take that few hours.
If it achieves its certification with 25 hours, would you want to be the first customer to build and fly it?
Never fly the A model of anything is the old adage in aviation......