Hill Helicopters HX50
Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 1,814
From: EGDC
Except the ground breaking and innovative side comes from it being an Experimental Amatuer-Built helicopter with capabilities/performance similar to a type certificated turbine helicopter. There has been no other equal in the E/AB world hence its support from the public. Its the E/AB status that drives this and not directly the aircraft per se.
What will be interesting is if the guy who bought the Hummingbird E/AB helicopter company can get a turbine in his with the same performance and cost.
What will be interesting is if the guy who bought the Hummingbird E/AB helicopter company can get a turbine in his with the same performance and cost.
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 240
Likes: 50
From: San Diego, CA
Obviously it will not fly this year. I had been hoping they would get a working engine prototype this year but there's only three months left and that seems possible but less likely now.
Flights can't begin until they've done a ton of ground endurance testing of the engine, as well as developing the transmission, rotor blades, and flight controls.
Flights can't begin until they've done a ton of ground endurance testing of the engine, as well as developing the transmission, rotor blades, and flight controls.
Joined: Jun 2012
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 369
Likes: 77
From: SE of there
If you take a look at their YT channel, there is a distinct lack of advancement. Yes, Hill is building the factory, but factory is moot until there is something to be produced. Building factory takes time, but testing the helicopter takes even more time. It doesn't really make sense to point your efforts at anything else but development of this bird.
Guest
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 840
Likes: 236
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 90
From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 90
From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
Not on the internal components. "Overhaul life" is the same but not the finite life on components. Two different things.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 563
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Jason Hill did a zoom call in with a group of Kiwis who have bought into the Hill aircraft. At the end he mentions a few of the timelines, not sure how they compare to original plans.
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 35
Likes: 22
From: South Africa
Original plan was for 3 flying prototypes by the end of 2024, nothing short of a Christmas miracle will make this happen.
"There has not been any significant advances in helicopter tech since the rotocop(sic) was invented (1930) almost a century (100 years) ago."
Safran, Airbus, Garmin etc might disagree with that statement.
Lucky for us Jason will make significant advances in helicopter tech.
"There has not been any significant advances in helicopter tech since the rotocop(sic) was invented (1930) almost a century (100 years) ago."
Safran, Airbus, Garmin etc might disagree with that statement.
Lucky for us Jason will make significant advances in helicopter tech.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 65
From: South of UK
"This elegant, cutting-edge aircraft lists for £495,000 and will be available in 2023. Each aircraft is backed by an industry-leading 5,000-hour, 5-year nose-to-tail warranty with no 12-year aircraft or engine overhaul requirement. Read more at https://www.helihub.com/2020/12/09/h...ne-hx50-price/"
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 65
From: South of UK
So a fantasy flight date that is still years off (imho) and even more preposterous manufacturing volumes (1000 per annum) are red flags.
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 14
From: UK
Considering development was during covid when the entire world shut down I think we can give any company slack over a 2023 release date.
Even Sikorsky are having trouble with suppliers for gearboxes and people are having a go at a small company over a release date.
What they should do is release a statement saying development has been hit by covid and supplier issues and we now expect a release date of XXXX.
Maybe they have I'm only just reading this massive thread fully.
Even Sikorsky are having trouble with suppliers for gearboxes and people are having a go at a small company over a release date.
What they should do is release a statement saying development has been hit by covid and supplier issues and we now expect a release date of XXXX.
Maybe they have I'm only just reading this massive thread fully.
Guest
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 840
Likes: 236
Hill are still staying engine will be running this year and website still says deliveries start next year (2025).
Any announcements of delays will stop the flow of deposits.
From the FAQs
Any announcements of delays will stop the flow of deposits.
From the FAQs
Last edited by PPRuNeUser469990; 10th September 2024 at 14:36.