Pleased to see that development is gently stepping up a gear.
Interesting that the FBW gains have been trimmed for flight 2. This definately shows the benefits of a carefully considered flight test program. Fingers crossed that all of the development stays just fine tuning a good design.
Sikorsky plans to build 3h of flight time before grounding the coaxial rotor high-speed helicopter to integrate the pusher propeller into the power train and control system for faster flights planned in phases two, three and four in West Palm Beach, Florida. Kagdis says the pusher system should be integrated by year's end, after which the remainder of the 15h in phase one will be completed in Elmira.
Phase two will see the aircraft flying as fast as 80kt without the aid of the pusher prop. In phase three, test pilots will engage the rear propeller to attain speeds of 120kt, In stage four, Sikorsky will attempt to reach 250kt or more.