Hill Helicopters HX50
Does it fly yet???????????
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Location: USA
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It's so different from a Garmin/Collins/Honeywell/etc. setup that I was immediately turned off. Hell, it doesn't even seem to have and speed, altitude and heading bugs but maybe I missed those. The were some quite prominent autopilot controls. Love the pop-up emergency procedures. Maybe it is time for some out of the box thinking. It will undoubtedly evolve a lot over the next year or so. I'll probably never fly one but I'd give it a chance 
I guess they got a lot of questions about redundancy because Mischa made another video about that:
I guess they got a lot of questions about redundancy because Mischa made another video about that:
There's some things I really like about it.
Greatest example: Twice the capabilities at half the price :-)
I also applaud the outside-in perspective. Many sectors could benefit from this, and all insiders fight this tooth and nail.
But the claim here is not alone that it would be nice, but that it can be done, within time and budget, and safely. It’s easier said than done.
Last edited by Hot and Hi; 27th Apr 2021 at 12:27. Reason: Punctuation
It's not been that accessible for pilots of light single helis though - I think that is his point, 'amateur' owners looking to push on in poor weather using synthetic vision.
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Originally Posted by [email protected]
It's not been that accessible for pilots of light single helis though - I think that is his point, 'amateur' owners looking to push on in poor weather using synthetic vision.
That said, I've never seen anyone fly based on synthetic vision. I personally find it terribly distracting. For me it is much easier to think in terms of the basic instrument readings. I wonder that if that is because synthetic vision contains no 3D cues.
Ah yes, forgot about the ipad - I was meaning having the capability provided by the manufacturer. I wouldn't be relying on an ipad app to save my life in poor weather.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Ah yes, forgot about the ipad - I was meaning having the capability provided by the manufacturer. I wouldn't be relying on an ipad app to save my life in poor weather.
Hill needs to remember that there are countries where the sun shines regularly and temperatures are well above "mild". In these conditions an ipad will go thermal in minutes.
It would be really good to see an actual aircraft prototype. So far it is all style over substance.
I still can't see how he is reinventing the helicopter, it just seems like the same stuff made a lot prettier, but then that is what Steve Jobs did to the mobile phone.
With all the premium vehicle analogies, perhaps he should rather have put his expertise to Britains version of Tesla.
With all the premium vehicle analogies, perhaps he should rather have put his expertise to Britains version of Tesla.
Bell, there are iPad mounts with fans specifically for aircraft; I've had CFIs use one while flying R44s. Obviously Hill's mount would do the same. You cannot use an iPad for anything important but for an MFD it's fine. The PFD displays need to use a real-time operating system and be especially resilient.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
It's not been that accessible for pilots of light single helis though - I think that is his point, 'amateur' owners looking to push on in poor weather using synthetic vision.
I wonder what you get if you don't opt for the HDC? And if I read it right the standard spec is for a skid configuration (never seen a pic of that) and the autopilot is an option.
I managed to configure one for >£650k. But that does include a Homelink so I can open my hangar door remotely from inside the cockpit. Very important, that.
I managed to configure one for >£650k. But that does include a Homelink so I can open my hangar door remotely from inside the cockpit. Very important, that.
I've seen their presentations, wheels and HDC are standard. Two axis autopilot is standard also, the four axis version is the optional upgrade. Skids are a no-cost option for those that are prepared to trade off some
cruise speed for better off-airport landing capability.
cruise speed for better off-airport landing capability.
Click on the 'i' next to the item, it explains what's additional in 'Advanced' digital cockpit over the 'standard' one.
if you ask me, you don't need any of it, the standard HDC is fine for a VFR helicopter.
if you ask me, you don't need any of it, the standard HDC is fine for a VFR helicopter.
cheap and certification does not gel. But obviously kit flyer does not value certification as priority. I still have not figure out how does a five seater can get away without certification.
Notwithstanding certification is the largest obstacle for avionic to be up to date, that's another story of its own. But as Hill himself compared lux car to aircraft, similarly lux car is also not comparable to updates received for a device. Neither the scale of market nor the replacement cycle puts these 3 categories comparable.
It all depends on how many people buy into this dream. If Hill gets the number then one or two major updates in 10 years could be possible if it remains non certified. Otherwise owner will be chasing for bug fix since day one.
Notwithstanding certification is the largest obstacle for avionic to be up to date, that's another story of its own. But as Hill himself compared lux car to aircraft, similarly lux car is also not comparable to updates received for a device. Neither the scale of market nor the replacement cycle puts these 3 categories comparable.
It all depends on how many people buy into this dream. If Hill gets the number then one or two major updates in 10 years could be possible if it remains non certified. Otherwise owner will be chasing for bug fix since day one.
In the US there are no limitations at all on what aircraft can be experimental; literally anything can. In fact manufacturers have experimental prototypes or testbed aircraft they use for testing the aircraft, or potential changes to it, before certification.
