RT 216 - new German light single turbine

[Ian Corrigible]

Interesting little design which appeared in the static park at this year's Heli-Expo: the SBM Development GmbH RT 216. Two-seats, 1,544 lb MTOW, 160 hp turbine (not a Solar T62T for once - an "SJ A-160"), elastomeric rotorhead and fenestron.

http://i.imgur.com/8UkKlAZ.jpg
(C/o Vertical Mag (https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t/17125359_1274163372697211_3221774776842321920_n.jpg))

Scans of the two-page flyer which accompanied the aircraft here (http://i.imgur.com/CvZZMiB.jpg) and here (http://i.imgur.com/Kt0BYFR.jpg).

An interesting project (like the FAMA KISS 209 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/514410-european-helicopter-show.html#post7836131)), but we'll have to see if enjoys a more successful development than the Composite Helicopters KC630 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/590876-composite-helicopters-nz-appears-have-gone-into-liquidation.html)...or the Delta D2 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/415090-australia-developing-world-s-first-biofuel-capable-helicopter.html)...or the Heli Air Design HAD 1-T Helineo (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/509411-heli-air-design.html)...or the Helips (http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2007-12-19/helips-plans-new-light-helo-family)...or the Pegasus PH200PJ (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/331370-no-tail-rotor-no-tail-boom-no-h-v-worries-pegasus-helicopter.html)...or the Rotor International RI 30 Eaglet (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/295371-interesting-2-seat-coaial-helicopter.html)...or the Sagita Sherpa (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/291055-where-does-uk-jar-twin-only-mentality-come-6.html#post8394693)...or the Youngcopter NEO (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/329904-new-helicopter-neo-two-seater.html)...etc.

I/C

[whoknows idont]

Looks like the Disney version of a 120.

[noooby]

Are they going to get in trouble (like the 429) for using that skid/crosstube arrangement??

[Peter3127]

It looks like they put a 120 into an oven and shrunk it.

[CRAN]

It it based on a Rotorway? Looks like the Rotorway hub...

[WillyPete]

What is a "versatile fuel" turbine?

[krypton_john]

Will run on jet fuel, but also diesel, vegetable oil and perhaps moonshine.

[Jelico]

What do they mean by elastomeric rotor head? I always wondered why there aren't any (that I know of) two bladed articulated or even rigid rotor systems. Would be nice to have the best of both worlds - two blades for hangaring, but a system that wont mast bump..

[WillyPete]

Helicopter Life magazine's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1271678289536729&id=201292423241993
I think they may have pinched one! Apparently, the head is going to be replaced with a 3 bladed rotor as they get going, but it also looks very like the Guimbal and, guess what, the engineers are from the same stable...

"Pinched one" in reference to someone asking if it was a Rotorway head.

[Wiggins61]

What do they mean by elastomeric rotor head? I always wondered why there aren't any (that I know of) two bladed articulated or even rigid rotor systems. Would be nice to have the best of both worlds - two blades for hangaring, but a system that wont mast bump..

222/230 and Cobra

[CRAN]

This usually means that the traditional bearings have been replaced by 'elastomeric' (rubber-metal laminate) bearings that flex to accommodate the feathering, flapping and lead-lag rather than use rolling elements. Very popular with Airbus and Bell.

The main player in the field is Lord: See Here (http://www.lord.com/products-and-solutions/passive-vibration-and-motion-control/aerospace-and-defense/rotary-wing/tail-and-main-rotor-bearings)

In the rotorway, I believe the 'elastomeric bearing' purely handles feathering and is basically a stack of rubber and metallic discs on a central shaft.

CRAN

[chopper2004]

I saw and sat inside the RT216 - interesting especially with the main flight display here are my photos below,

Company is German albeit with Chinese investment...

cheers

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_0509_zpskze8gf4k.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_1589_zps4crqxk7p.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_1615_zpsx0shzgvc.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_1616_zpsa2wjqkh5.jpg

[Thracian]

Did they tell anything about their Schedule?
Flight testing? Certification? First delivery to customer?


And what about the cost?


Although I´ve tried some different search phrases, I wasn´t able to find any website for this thing. Does somebody have a link?


Thracian

[Ian Corrigible]

The German partner appears to be SMB Maschinen GmbH (www.sbm-maschinen.de), a foodstuff water drainage system specialist, who in 2004 branched out into the world of gyrocopters by establishing Rotortec (http://www.rotortec.com). Their Cloud Dancer autogyro family (also offered for parapublic use as the CD 410 AS (https://web.archive.org/web/20121223014419/http://www.rotortec-government.com/content/CD%20410%20AS%20Technical%20Description%201.0.2.pdf)) would therefore seem to be the genesis for the RT 216, SBM Development GmbH itself having been formed in 2014.

Details of the Chinese tie-up, which appears to be focused on development of the engine, are available via Google translate here (https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://epaper.stcn.com/paper/zqsb/html/2016-04/07/content_806888.htm).

According to Heliatica (https://www.facebook.com/heliatica/videos/813770088774616), the target date for EASA certification is end-2018, with an expected price tag of 350,000 – 500,000 Euros.

I/C

[Phoinix]

Why would you do that??? You have a digital display, which enables you to do a MFD, FLI, whatever, and than you replicate standard instruments... which take space for the navigation or other things you want to display. And than you put in additional standard instruments?!?! As if it's an IFR helicopter?
Engine starter on the roof will make all the restarts so nice... taking away a fighting chance.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_1615_zpsx0shzgvc.jpg

[WillyPete]

What's also odd is that the analogue ALT is flipped 180 compared to the digital. 0 at the bottom, screen has it at the top.
Same for the ASI. The green zone on the ASI is also whack, green from 0 to 190.

[VM325]

It's flying. If a little draughty... :8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG0YobWXT7o

[Bravo73]

It's flying. If a little draughty... :8

Are you watching, Dr Hill?

(Although, TBF, it sounds a lot like a Gazelle. Maybe they should have played around with their fenestron blade placements…)

[That lights normal!]

……………

According to Heliatica (https://www.facebook.com/heliatica/videos/813770088774616), the target date for EASA certification is end-2018, with an expected price tag of 350,000 – 500,000 Euros.

I/C

A little behind schedule at this stage then.

[krypton_john]

Looks loke a Solar T62 32 and is described in the flyer as a single shaft turbine.

[Tickle]

Very nice, great to see a new model flying around. Sounds great too.

I wonder if there's any scope for a 4-seat version with a higher speed.

[casper64]

Why would you do that??? You have a digital display, which enables you to do a MFD, FLI, whatever, and than you replicate standard instruments... which take space for the navigation or other things you want to display. And than you put in additional standard instruments?!?! As if it's an IFR helicopter?
Engine starter on the roof will make all the restarts so nice... taking away a fighting chance.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_1615_zpsx0shzgvc.jpg

Agree, completely silly, but at least certifiable in contrast to the REALLY silly PFD of HILL helicopter 😂

[NutLoose]

Very nice, great to see a new model flying around. Sounds great too.

I wonder if there's any scope for a 4-seat version with a higher speed.


That would be nice, it would then look like a Gazelle instead of a foreshortened one.

[What-ho Squiffy!]

Dyson doing fenestrons as a side-hustle?