HeliHub.com : HeliHub report from Aero 2016 at Friedrichshafen

HeliHub report from Aero 2016 at Friedrichshafen

25-Apr-2016 Source: Robert Swan

Germany is one of the few European countries where no ultralight helicopters operate. In this strongly aviation-minded country, this is an anomaly which enthusiasts have sought to rectify for many years. Finally, a couple of years ago, the two (yes, two) certification authorities for ultralight aircraft, the German Aero Club (DAeC) and the German Ultralight Federation (DULV) set up a joint task force to establish criteria for the certification of such machines. They visited all the European manufacturers, and two types have been involved in the process of developing these criteria. EDM Aerotec, a new German company based at Geisleden, has produced two prototypes of the Coax 2D, a co-axial machine [photo below]; and L+R Helicopters of Landshut have submitted two eamples of the Alpi Aviation Syton AH130 [photo below]. It was widely expected that Type Approvals for both types would be presented at the show, and it is known that the engineers from DAeC and DULV are happy with the designs and criteria, but the process has been indefinitely blocked by the LBA, the agency with overall responsibility for civil aviation in Germany, for no apparent reason. Watch this space.

New designs

A newcomer to the market, Rotorschmiede GmbH, showed the first two prototypes of their new ultralight VA-115 ultralight helicopter [photo below]. Unregistered as yet, they have made tethered flights but are awaiting the issue of a Permit for full testing to be undertaken. The company also owns XtremeAir, makers of the XA42 aerobatic aircraft.

Konner Helicopters of Italy have been showing their K1 Turbine helicopter for some years, and this year showed the prototype of the larger K2 [photo below], still a 2-seater but with a substantial load space behind the seats.

Old designs

Dynali continues to produce the H3 EasyFlyer, displaying aircraft no 37. Cicaré showed an example of the Cicaré 8. However, conspicuous by their absence were FAMA Helicopters, Aero Eli Servizi with their R22-derived Yo-Yo, IRI, HPC and LCA with the LH212 – all Italian companies which have exhibited here in the past – and other ultralight types which will no doubt crowd into the market once certification becomes possible.

Larger Helicopters

Although billed as a General Aviation show, the emphasis is very much on the lighter end of this spectrum. Bell exhibited a 407GX and a 429 this year, but other commercial manufacturers were represented only by locally-registered machines.

Robert Swan
Freelance Aerospace Writers

Photos, in order top to bottom

EDM Coax 2D – see more on website
Alpi Syton AH130 – see more on website
Rotorschmeide VA-115 – see more on website
Konner K2 – see more on website