Airbus Helicopters flies Bluecopter demonstrator
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During cruise the Bluecopter can be switched to an “eco-mode” by shutting off one engine. The remaining engine operates more efficiently and the fuel consumption is drastically reduced. The “eco mode” is based on an automatic control system that assists the crew and ensures safe operation of the aircraft.
of course Airbus engine control integration would never go wrong ...
oh, wait, the tragic A400M incident over on the Mil Forum.
I sincerely hope that the correct lessons are learned so that this helicopter isn't plagued with such problems.
The only problem I see is cycles. You're doubling the cycles on one engine each flight. Well, each flight over a certain duration anyway. You wouldn't be shutting one down for a 25 minute Medevac, but on longer offshore flights it could be beneficial. But they need to get engine manufacturers onboard with cycles, otherwise the engine will cycle out way too soon, affecting DOC's!
I wonder if a more commercially realistic approach would be to have one engine at idle? Then it could quickly be brought back online if needed in an emergency.
I wonder if a more commercially realistic approach would be to have one engine at idle? Then it could quickly be brought back online if needed in an emergency.
....isn't plagued with such problems
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so to save all the associated cycle costs, etc. and too decrease fuel burn and operate more efficiently throughout the entire flight, why don't you just start with...... a single engine helicopter... 
what cruise altitude would you need in order to get an engine restarted and making power to save your a$$ if the other engine quits??
what cruise altitude would you need in order to get an engine restarted and making power to save your a$$ if the other engine quits??
I thought it was going to be the Blue Edge quiet rotor blades technology. Maybe they can integrate this with those blades to take a big leap forward.
The T-tail made me instantly think of the Gazelle prototype:
The T-tail made me instantly think of the Gazelle prototype:
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You wouldn't be shutting one down for a 25 minute Medevac, but on longer offshore flights it could be beneficial.
What a great idea in the current climate of cost reductions. I will see if we can trial it on the 225 fleet.
It's all done by magic these days Terminus Mos...no pilot needed.....and nothing really new. I remember pilots flying the twin engined Belvedere telling me that an engine failure could be almost unnoticeable,so quickly did the second engine double up on power(they normally ran at half power).
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well, the idea of switching off one engine and save fuel is not new. The Portuguese have this "procedure" in some missions with the sar helos (Aw101); but off course they have 3 engines in total!..
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1 x eng shut-down
IUK, correct 
. But this 'shut one down' idea was floated with the STC for the infamous 206LT (LongRanger with 2 x C20Rs) back in 1995. Didn't get acceptance from FAA, TCA or CAA so can't see EASA buying it, can you? 
. But this 'shut one down' idea was floated with the STC for the infamous 206LT (LongRanger with 2 x C20Rs) back in 1995. Didn't get acceptance from FAA, TCA or CAA so can't see EASA buying it, can you?
I haven't seen anywhere on the press release or other media to say that the one engine will be "shut down" or "switched off" as has been phrased on here.
I do suspect that the one engine will be more than likely "backed off" and the NH and TQ reduced, thus providing fuel savings, and subsequent spooling up again will be quicker than a full re-start.
Lets wait and see.
I do suspect that the one engine will be more than likely "backed off" and the NH and TQ reduced, thus providing fuel savings, and subsequent spooling up again will be quicker than a full re-start.
Lets wait and see.
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Single engine cruise... It look nice but what is behind this concept, an idle or a full shut down? And is the drag reduction allow to maintained the VBR around 135-140kts on one engine?
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They're claiming a 30% reduction in fuel consumption in cruise on one engine, which is nothing to sneeze at. This seems reasonable given the SFC characteristics of turboshaft engines at part load operation. Shutting down one of the engines during cruise will also reduce the number of hours accumulated on each engine.
But there are also the issues of starting a turboshaft engine on short notice. And the increased fatigue placed on the individual gearbox input drives from operating them at higher loads.
But there are also the issues of starting a turboshaft engine on short notice. And the increased fatigue placed on the individual gearbox input drives from operating them at higher loads.
This isn't a new idea
Gemini Twinranger and Bell helicopter did this before. Cancelled production for a variety of reasons...acquisition costs were obscene vs a single. DOC and availability were worse than a twin since you were pounding one engine significantly worse than the other. Biggest issue seemed to be how uncompetitive it was to lug around an extra $400K dead weight when you usually only wanted 1. Hard sell... Easy to get "40% reduction in fuel consumption" by removing half of the fuel consumption...
Bell 206LT TwinRanger & Tridair Gemini ST, pictures, technical data, history - Barrie Aircraft Museum
Bell 206LT TwinRanger & Tridair Gemini ST, pictures, technical data, history - Barrie Aircraft Museum
