Hiller ...... Robinson in trouble now....Move over Schweitzer
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Robinson is in trouble now....Move over Schweitzer
Doing some research and came across this article....sounds like some real competition in the light turbine market coming up. I wonder if this could be the successor to the Hller 12E Soloy that has been with us for so long.
Maybe Nick will head over to this outfit when he gets Gulfstream straightened out. The UAV market would be perfect for the FH-1100....easy to load on C-130's....or trucks. The Army already has tons of evaluation data on them from the LOH competition.
Stanley Hiller built some classic designs in the early pioneering days of the helicopter industry.
One of his last, and in many peoples’ opinions the best, was the Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100–a design dating back to May 1961, when his Model 1100 lost the U.S. Army’s Light Observation Helicopter program, which Bell Helicopter won, following a judgment against the Hughes OH-6A, claiming Hughes had defrauded the Army via a price-fixing scheme. That judgment gave life to what became known as the JetRanger. Today a Florida company is updating the FH-1100 airframe, making a modern variant it claims meets the needs of cost-conscious commercial operators.
Nevertheless, low cost, high reliability and a 110-knot maximum speed raise the appeal of the upgraded FH-1100. With DOCs of $186 per hour, and the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B derated from 313 shp to 204 shp and burning 147 pph, the upgraded helo is claimed by its creator, Georges Van Nevel, president of FH-1100 Manufacturing Corp., to be significantly cheaper to operate than the Bell 206. “It lifts more and has a higher ceiling,” he noted, adding that the use of composite fuselage components should reduce assembly time from 2,300 hours to 1,600 hours.
This will help the company to achieve its aim to offer a competitively priced light helicopter–although just how competitive Van Nevel has yet to say. “We see a lot of promise for this design in the Far East and South America, in rural areas, where there’s a real need for simple, inexpensive, rugged rotorcraft that consume easy-to-come-by fuels.”
Maybe Nick will head over to this outfit when he gets Gulfstream straightened out. The UAV market would be perfect for the FH-1100....easy to load on C-130's....or trucks. The Army already has tons of evaluation data on them from the LOH competition.
Stanley Hiller built some classic designs in the early pioneering days of the helicopter industry.
One of his last, and in many peoples’ opinions the best, was the Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100–a design dating back to May 1961, when his Model 1100 lost the U.S. Army’s Light Observation Helicopter program, which Bell Helicopter won, following a judgment against the Hughes OH-6A, claiming Hughes had defrauded the Army via a price-fixing scheme. That judgment gave life to what became known as the JetRanger. Today a Florida company is updating the FH-1100 airframe, making a modern variant it claims meets the needs of cost-conscious commercial operators.
Nevertheless, low cost, high reliability and a 110-knot maximum speed raise the appeal of the upgraded FH-1100. With DOCs of $186 per hour, and the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B derated from 313 shp to 204 shp and burning 147 pph, the upgraded helo is claimed by its creator, Georges Van Nevel, president of FH-1100 Manufacturing Corp., to be significantly cheaper to operate than the Bell 206. “It lifts more and has a higher ceiling,” he noted, adding that the use of composite fuselage components should reduce assembly time from 2,300 hours to 1,600 hours.
This will help the company to achieve its aim to offer a competitively priced light helicopter–although just how competitive Van Nevel has yet to say. “We see a lot of promise for this design in the Far East and South America, in rural areas, where there’s a real need for simple, inexpensive, rugged rotorcraft that consume easy-to-come-by fuels.”
Gatvol
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Sasless
Although I broke in my career in the Hiller OH-23(UH-12) and thought there was nothing better. That was the best they did. Some FH-1100s are still around but extremely tired. The company had its Hey Day with the UH-12 and is really pretty well gone. I dont know how many times its changed hands since.
So for someone to bring out the FH-1100 again, its going to be a tough call. Old technology on an old machine does not smell like a good seller.........
One can compete by buying an old B206 BII or BIII and bringing it back to shape cheaper. Plus there are more spares around.
Although I broke in my career in the Hiller OH-23(UH-12) and thought there was nothing better. That was the best they did. Some FH-1100s are still around but extremely tired. The company had its Hey Day with the UH-12 and is really pretty well gone. I dont know how many times its changed hands since.
So for someone to bring out the FH-1100 again, its going to be a tough call. Old technology on an old machine does not smell like a good seller.........
One can compete by buying an old B206 BII or BIII and bringing it back to shape cheaper. Plus there are more spares around.
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Haven't had any personal dealings with them, but there have been some real horror stories circulating regarding FH Manufacturing Corp. Probably worth some research before going too far down that road !
It was interesting to hear Enstrom talk recently about the possibility of an F28 turbine. Could be a nice little package if the pricing is right.
I/C
It was interesting to hear Enstrom talk recently about the possibility of an F28 turbine. Could be a nice little package if the pricing is right.
I/C
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Enstrom 480
With that spec it sounds like an Enstrom 480 would do just the same job... 110 Kt cruise, 5 seats and good viz... all for £400k new
Still, give me a H500D/E with a 130 Kt cruise anyday!
Still, give me a H500D/E with a 130 Kt cruise anyday!
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fh1100
had a look at this site www.fh1100.com/cd/starthere.html
is this machine really up aganist the 206
better cabin
same engine
same speed
do not think it looks a good as a 206
cheaper to run so they say
parts would be a problem out side the states
any pilots around who have flown both machines.
it would be good to think you can get a turbine the same as a 206 but at a cheaper cost and also cheaper to run.
any comments
is this machine really up aganist the 206
better cabin
same engine
same speed
do not think it looks a good as a 206
cheaper to run so they say
parts would be a problem out side the states
any pilots around who have flown both machines.
it would be good to think you can get a turbine the same as a 206 but at a cheaper cost and also cheaper to run.
any comments
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There are many single-engine helicopters available right now, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. With the exception of the EC-120, all existing helicopters are derived from "old technology." Even the Astar really doesn't offer any groundbreaking technology and in fact uses some throwback stuff. The FH-1100, while not the most modern design, does have some compelling attributes. Among them are lifting performance, economy of operation and field reliability.
Every FH-1100 produced came with dual hydraulics and force-trim, as will the new ones. Most were also equipped with an early SAS. Since the ship was designed for the U.S. Army and to be used in the field, Hiller got ingenious when it came to working on it. For ease of maintenance, nothing beats the FH1100. The whole cowling slides back, exposing the entire powertrain. Two maintenance stands fold down out of the sides of the cabin. Neat! The thing is dead simple to work on.
Obviously, the 206 is a sexy bee-atch. Compare to it, most other helicopters look frumpy. Ever since I was a kid I've always liked the look of the FH-1100, and the new, sleeker nose will make it look more modern (although personally I'm not crazy about adding a windshield post). In the air, it flies "like" a 206 - two blades, hydraulic controls. I've never flown the boosted R-44, but I'd imagine it's not all that different.
The 206 has had forty years of updating, refinement and product improvement. Wish we could say that about the FH1100 but we can't. Still, the ship had a lot going for it back in the day, and we feel that it can still be competitive today. As the aviation industry continues to recover from 9/11, we are excited to see how the FH1100 will fit into the international market.
Every FH-1100 produced came with dual hydraulics and force-trim, as will the new ones. Most were also equipped with an early SAS. Since the ship was designed for the U.S. Army and to be used in the field, Hiller got ingenious when it came to working on it. For ease of maintenance, nothing beats the FH1100. The whole cowling slides back, exposing the entire powertrain. Two maintenance stands fold down out of the sides of the cabin. Neat! The thing is dead simple to work on.
Obviously, the 206 is a sexy bee-atch. Compare to it, most other helicopters look frumpy. Ever since I was a kid I've always liked the look of the FH-1100, and the new, sleeker nose will make it look more modern (although personally I'm not crazy about adding a windshield post). In the air, it flies "like" a 206 - two blades, hydraulic controls. I've never flown the boosted R-44, but I'd imagine it's not all that different.
The 206 has had forty years of updating, refinement and product improvement. Wish we could say that about the FH1100 but we can't. Still, the ship had a lot going for it back in the day, and we feel that it can still be competitive today. As the aviation industry continues to recover from 9/11, we are excited to see how the FH1100 will fit into the international market.
