Graviman,
AIN provided another update in this year's Heli-Expo show dailies:
Europe’s diesel demonstrator to fly this year
The modified EC120 iron bird (which includes an airframe) is located at the Airbus Helicopters factory in Marignane, France. Testing began last November, after extensive engine trials took place on a dedicated test bench earlier last year. No particular difficulty has been encountered since the beginning of the test phase, project officer Sébastien Dubois told AIN. Iron bird testing will continue this quarter.
The engine will then be installed on the flight-test aircraft. Modifications for the installation began late last year. Ground trials are planned to begin in the third quarter and the first flight is expected to take place later in 2014. The first flight was previously scheduled for April 2014.
The diesel-powered EC120 was
originally touted for a flight in
2011.
There's a dedicated thread on the project
here.
I/C