Hill Helicopters HX50
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
From: London
As for the HX50, I am definitely less cynical about the whole thing now we are seeing complete airframes, but there are obviously a lot of hurdles to overcome before we see aircraft in the hands of customers. Some of the attention to detail seems really impressive, I am really intrigued to see how it progresses.
Last edited by tbtstt; 8th December 2023 at 00:15. Reason: Name corrected: thanks Bravo!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 23
From: Adelaide
Show was amazing. Obviously a static demonstrator, but the level of progress was amazing and unexpected. I talked to several engineers and there’s no winter break; they’re already solving problems back at work Monday.
Some new info for those who won’t watch the video:
- Launched gVTOL initiative (g is for “green”), which I think is quite important to keep our industry ahead of being a target by militant greenies. Despite what you think of Hill, private heli ownership is an easy target for politicians looking to score cheap points.
- Announced two facilities; with flight ops at an airport. Signed already. Manufacturing space to come, which is easy and plentiful options. The flying was the big one.
- Taking direct public orders for HC50. £625k show price until Monday. (Existing HX order book can do £575k until Monday). final price I think is £725k. Also taking new HX orders frozen price £536k until Monday. Final HX price is £595k.
- Showed combustor test rig. Not yet operational. Engine guys say won’t be long. GT50 engine cutout concept demonstrator.
- Showed fully working gearbox and rotor hub with mock up levers to show how it works. This looks like an amazing piece of engineering.
My personal reaction:
The aircraft look better in real life. They almost look not real because they’re so modern & sleek. The retractable one is a later fuselage and you can tell the build quality is much better (little details), so they’re making huge steps. People here mock him for doors/handles but seeing people use them and some small issues with locking mechanisms highlights how important those tiny details are. The engineers were looking closely how people were using it in the real world.
Obviously it’s not flying but the seats, fuselage, windows, etc are all production representative. It’s very nice to sit in any seat. One of my worries was forward visibility for confined areas but you can see about 1m ahead, and through the chin windows near your feet so it’s actually better than I thought.
the signature strip lights and lighting clusters were incredible. High end automotive or better. The reveal behind the curtain with the strip lighting was really well done and looked a little knight rider! It was a fun show. The staff and engineers received a standing ovation for their work. They are definitely highly motivated.
Obviously the timeline is the big question on peoples minds. They’re 100% aware and are pushing hard but not compromising on quality. TBH after seeing this I’m happy to wait and make sure they finish it properly. Robinson has another couple of years of selling their over priced designs yet, but after that, I suspect it will only be rebuild kits.
Some new info for those who won’t watch the video:
- Launched gVTOL initiative (g is for “green”), which I think is quite important to keep our industry ahead of being a target by militant greenies. Despite what you think of Hill, private heli ownership is an easy target for politicians looking to score cheap points.
- Announced two facilities; with flight ops at an airport. Signed already. Manufacturing space to come, which is easy and plentiful options. The flying was the big one.
- Taking direct public orders for HC50. £625k show price until Monday. (Existing HX order book can do £575k until Monday). final price I think is £725k. Also taking new HX orders frozen price £536k until Monday. Final HX price is £595k.
- Showed combustor test rig. Not yet operational. Engine guys say won’t be long. GT50 engine cutout concept demonstrator.
- Showed fully working gearbox and rotor hub with mock up levers to show how it works. This looks like an amazing piece of engineering.
My personal reaction:
The aircraft look better in real life. They almost look not real because they’re so modern & sleek. The retractable one is a later fuselage and you can tell the build quality is much better (little details), so they’re making huge steps. People here mock him for doors/handles but seeing people use them and some small issues with locking mechanisms highlights how important those tiny details are. The engineers were looking closely how people were using it in the real world.
Obviously it’s not flying but the seats, fuselage, windows, etc are all production representative. It’s very nice to sit in any seat. One of my worries was forward visibility for confined areas but you can see about 1m ahead, and through the chin windows near your feet so it’s actually better than I thought.
the signature strip lights and lighting clusters were incredible. High end automotive or better. The reveal behind the curtain with the strip lighting was really well done and looked a little knight rider! It was a fun show. The staff and engineers received a standing ovation for their work. They are definitely highly motivated.
Obviously the timeline is the big question on peoples minds. They’re 100% aware and are pushing hard but not compromising on quality. TBH after seeing this I’m happy to wait and make sure they finish it properly. Robinson has another couple of years of selling their over priced designs yet, but after that, I suspect it will only be rebuild kits.
Guest
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 840
Likes: 236
So...
£625,000 for an HC50
about £500,00 for an R44
Would the HC50 replace the R44 for the training market?
PS - I think Jason Hill was reading this forum at 1am this morning
£625,000 for an HC50
about £500,00 for an R44
Would the HC50 replace the R44 for the training market?
PS - I think Jason Hill was reading this forum at 1am this morning
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Cape Town, South Africa
That go-pro was streaming live to YouTube, well after the presentation, for the entire time people were trying out the interior.
It made for amusing viewing, as most people did not realize they were visible, to the wider world. Think nose-picking, etc :-)
On the whole, the reactions were appreciative. Not many frowns, if any.
It made for amusing viewing, as most people did not realize they were visible, to the wider world. Think nose-picking, etc :-)
On the whole, the reactions were appreciative. Not many frowns, if any.
Joined: Jun 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 387
From: Brantisvogan
Robbie will have a market for a while. Horses for courses.
You won't take your Ferrari offroading because it wasn't designed for that.
There is an awful lot of cosmetic goods on that Hill and it remains to be seen how that will hold up in hot, harsh environments and that it will survive the rigours of training.
Robbos are relatively straight forward to bend into the correct shape, how will the Hill fare?
Would you take a Hill mustering?
It hasn't exactly been designed for utilitarian purposes.
He has lots to do still, making it look pretty is the easy part (the pics do make it look smaller than I imagined, not a huge amount of legroom in the back).
We will see what next year brings.
You won't take your Ferrari offroading because it wasn't designed for that.
There is an awful lot of cosmetic goods on that Hill and it remains to be seen how that will hold up in hot, harsh environments and that it will survive the rigours of training.
Robbos are relatively straight forward to bend into the correct shape, how will the Hill fare?
Would you take a Hill mustering?
It hasn't exactly been designed for utilitarian purposes.
He has lots to do still, making it look pretty is the easy part (the pics do make it look smaller than I imagined, not a huge amount of legroom in the back).
We will see what next year brings.
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 931
From: Den Haag
That go-pro was streaming live to YouTube, well after the presentation, for the entire time people were trying out the interior.
It made for amusing viewing, as most people did not realize they were visible, to the wider world. Think nose-picking, etc :-)
On the whole, the reactions were appreciative. Not many frowns, if any.
It made for amusing viewing, as most people did not realize they were visible, to the wider world. Think nose-picking, etc :-)
On the whole, the reactions were appreciative. Not many frowns, if any.
Joined: Jun 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 387
From: Brantisvogan
Are those switches supposed to be skew?
It doesn't look like a supercar quality finish, unless its Fiat surplus.
This section looks a bit cheap and tacky, fresh from the shed, so hopefully either a bad photo or a pre-prod finish.
It doesn't look like a supercar quality finish, unless its Fiat surplus.
This section looks a bit cheap and tacky, fresh from the shed, so hopefully either a bad photo or a pre-prod finish.
Guest
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 840
Likes: 236
the $64,000 question is can Hill scale up production to the promised 500 per year, within a reasonable time frame?
I met a chap who has number 270-ish and he is convinced he is getting his aircraft in 2026.
I met a chap who has number 270-ish and he is convinced he is getting his aircraft in 2026.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,536
Likes: 295
From: The Alps
450 in the first year
675 in second year
1000 in third year.
They’re following the ways if the automotive industry …
cheers
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 727
Likes: 47
From: Earth
Joined: Mar 2019
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 252
Likes: 29
From: Europe
What's with the altimeter positioned on the left side of the AI? Surely it's common sense in a human factors sense to stick it on the right like every instrument layout out there...
Joined: Dec 2015
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 871
Likes: 673
From: Budapest
Please forgive an amateur's (obvious) ignorance but, in a project like this, wouldn't it have been better to fully develop the engine / gear box first - before building the rest around it?
