Composite Helicopters KC518 Adventourer
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It appears to be a cross between a 500 and 44/66. I like the lines of the 500, Robbie not so much, but this machine is looking very nice. I'll take two.
How about auto-pilot?
With an optional auxiliary fuel cell installed, maximum endurance is expected to reach almost six hours.
Looks very like a Eurocopter
Design wise it looks the part. Never understood why other manufacturers never did something similar. New cab with proven dynamics for example. Best of luck to them.
Thread Starter
Agree - good luck to them - very nice looking.
But my thoughts exactly on the licensing issue.
Is the Fenestron Eurocopter proprietary technology?
But my thoughts exactly on the licensing issue.
Is the Fenestron Eurocopter proprietary technology?
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Can't see Eurocopter being too happy to see their "Moustache" type landing gear being used either. I seem to recall Bell making a hasty change to the 429's landing gear soon before its launch, due I believe to an EC patent infringement.
I was pleasantly surprised when these guys got to the hovering and taxiing phase. I wonder where they are up to now?
Composite Helicopters
Hovers with its skids nice and level.
Composite Helicopters
Hovers with its skids nice and level.
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Always good to see a new type and new ideas being developed. I hope they get the funding to take them through the expensive regulatory certification process. Not sure what the situation in NZ is but in Oz the government subsidises the automobile manufacturing industry to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year just to "assemble" components supplied by outsourcers.
You've got to respect their ambition. Kudos to them.
But I imagine that they might have to change the design of their skid gear once Eurocopter watch this video. I seem to remember that a similar patent dispute didn't end so well for the Bell 429.
But I imagine that they might have to change the design of their skid gear once Eurocopter watch this video. I seem to remember that a similar patent dispute didn't end so well for the Bell 429.
Sounds like a prototype has been ditched in the sea. Sounds like the crew are all ok - I really hope so:
Helicopter crash at Mechanics Bay - Story - NZ News - 3 News
Helicopter Crashes Into Water In Auckland | Stuff.co.nz
Bugger, I guess this wouldn't be the first prototype to come unstuck. I really hope that as indicated, the crew are ok and that the development continues.
Weather in Auckland today is beautiful - clear skies and light winds.
Helicopter crash at Mechanics Bay - Story - NZ News - 3 News
Helicopter Crashes Into Water In Auckland | Stuff.co.nz
Bugger, I guess this wouldn't be the first prototype to come unstuck. I really hope that as indicated, the crew are ok and that the development continues.
Weather in Auckland today is beautiful - clear skies and light winds.
Last edited by krypton_john; 7th May 2013 at 00:09.
Pilot reported engine failure, semi controlled ditching into shallow water.
Witnessed by the other prototype.
I hope at least they can learn something positive from the excursion.
Saw it at the airshow recently, bloody marvellous.
In general terms can a carbon fibre frame recover from a soaking?
Best wishes to all the team
Mickjoebill
Witnessed by the other prototype.
I hope at least they can learn something positive from the excursion.
Saw it at the airshow recently, bloody marvellous.
In general terms can a carbon fibre frame recover from a soaking?
Best wishes to all the team
Mickjoebill
Last edited by mickjoebill; 7th May 2013 at 01:25.
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Carbon fibre structures
MJB
Provided that the structure is not fractured it may* be OK. The biggest threat to laminated composites is from impact damage which causes delaminations between the plies. These can be tricky to spot because carbon fibre materials are linear elastic to failure, in other words they do not bend, they either break or spring back to their original position. Unfortunately the same is true for the layers over a delamination, so they are not visible. You need ultrasonic NDI or a tap hammer to find them.
The other problem is that depending on the resin type used, impcat damage can occur at quite low impact energy. Simple tool drop accidents can result in significant delaminations. Provided he didn't hit the water too hard it may be OK.
Blakmax
Provided that the structure is not fractured it may* be OK. The biggest threat to laminated composites is from impact damage which causes delaminations between the plies. These can be tricky to spot because carbon fibre materials are linear elastic to failure, in other words they do not bend, they either break or spring back to their original position. Unfortunately the same is true for the layers over a delamination, so they are not visible. You need ultrasonic NDI or a tap hammer to find them.
The other problem is that depending on the resin type used, impcat damage can occur at quite low impact energy. Simple tool drop accidents can result in significant delaminations. Provided he didn't hit the water too hard it may be OK.
Blakmax
Updates coming through now - as MickJoeBill said - engine failure followed by what sounds like a textbook auto/ditching and water escape. Pilot and passenger not a a scratch. Wow.
Helicopter Crashes Into Water In Auckland | Stuff.co.nz
Helicopter Crashes Into Water In Auckland | Stuff.co.nz