HeliRussia – Russian Helicopters signs agreement with PANH Helicopters
Source: Russian Helicopters, 17-May-13
Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has signed a partnership memorandum with PANH Helicopters, a Russian helicopter operator. Inked today at the HeliRussia 2013 trade show in Moscow, the agreement covers cooperation on stress-testing of new and modified Russian-built helicopters under [...]
Germany – Eurocopter to open new development centre tomorrow
Source: Eurocopter, 14-May-13
On May 15 Eurocopter celebrates the opening of its helicopter development center for around 900 engineers at its German site in Donauwörth – together with Prime Minister of Bavaria Horst Seehofer and further well-known characters from politics, industry and the media. The new building with a total floor area of 30,000 square meters brings together, [...]
DARPA looks to the next generation of vertical flight
Source: DARPA Story, 26-Feb-13
One of the greatest challenges of the past half century for aerodynamics engineers has been how to increase the top speeds of aircraft that take off and land vertically without compromising the aircraft’s lift to power in hover or its efficiency during long-range flight. The versatility of helicopters and other vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) [...]
DLR tests effect of blowing air out of rotor blades
Source: DLR, 12-Feb-13
Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) in Göttingen have discovered a way to make helicopters more manoeuvrable. In a globally unique wind tunnel experiment, they have been blowing air through holes in the rotor blades to actively influence airflow. As though someone is wielding a sledgehammer The rotor [...]
Scientist optimises helicopter performance after main gearbox oil loss
Source: The Guardian, Nigeria, 03-Feb-13
A professor and his research team at a UK university have developed options for minimising occurrences of loss of oil events during long hour flights by helicopters and solutions to increase the capability of continued operation after loss of oil (see full story)
Rockwell Collins and DARPA collaborate to push GPS boundaries
Source: Rockwell Collins, 23-Jan-13
Imagine having GPS navigation capability embedded on something as small as a hummingbird-size unmanned aerial vehicle. That day may be coming soon, thanks to ongoing research and successful testing completed by Rockwell Collins and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA’s Dynamics Enabled Frequency Sources (DEFYS) effort has created tiny electronic oscillators and Rockwell [...]
Cold spray system wins environmental technology award
Source: US Army Research Lab, 03-Jan-13
A project involving the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL’s) cold spray technology was named one of six environment technology Projects of the Year, recognized for research and technology developments with significant benefits to the Department of Defense (DoD). The Supersonic Particle Deposition for Repair of Magnesium Aircraft Components project, led by Victor K. Champagne, Jr., [...]
DARPA funds trials of unmanned hovering UAV with robot arm
Source: DARPA, 11-Dec-12
When a person reaches out to place an object in just the right place, their mind makes a series of judgments requiring vision, stability and careful movement. Trying to do the same thing robotically from a hovering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) requires several technology advances. A DARPA-funded technology demonstration recently finished a successful testing of [...]
Rotorcraft expert Farhan Gandhi takes Professor post at Rensselaer
Source: Rensselaer, 23-Nov-12
Rotorcraft and adaptive structures expert Farhan Gandhi recently joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as the Rosalind and John J. Redfern Jr. ’33 Professor of Engineering. He is a tenured full professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering. “Dr. Gandhi is an international leader in the areas of morphing helicopters and adaptive cellular structures, and we [...]
Carter prototype 2.5 times better lift-to-drag than helicopters
Source: Carter Aviation Technologies, 20-Nov-12
Carter Aviation Technologies, LLC, working in conjunction with Carter Aerospace Development, LLC, has made significant progress as performance flight-testing of the current prototype, the Proof of Concept demonstrator (the “POC”), continues. The POC is a variant of the company’s four passenger vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft, known as the SR/C™ 4-Place PAV. The POC [...]
China studies “Avant-Courier” speed helicopter concept
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Nov-12
With Sikorsky putting lots of research money into the X2 and it’s follow-up S-97 Raider, and Eurocopter widely broadcasting its X3 concept, it was only a matter of time before China followed suit. A concept model has been shown for the first time at the Zhuhai Air Show, which opened this morning. The fuselage of [...]
Eurocopter sets up new Development Centers
Source: Eurocopter, 17-Jul-12
Eurocopter, the world leader in the civil and parapublic helicopter market, is providing its development personnel with the most modern high-performance infrastructures and resources, all in support of its innovation program, a core feature of the Group’s Vision 2020. Following on from the launch of the Systemhaus project at Donauwörth in Germany, which will reach [...]
US rotorcraft research under attack
Source: AHS, 28-Mar-12
Vertiflite magazine, Mar-Apr 2012: U.S. Rotorcraft Research Under Attack “An unfortunate coincidence of cuts to fundamental rotorcraft research part of the U.S. fiscal 2013 budget submitted to Congress in February. headquarters of both NASA and the Army decided to slash funding for research efforts that are vitally important to developing future technologies for vertical flight. These proposed [...]
Boeing and US Army Successfully Test Advanced Rotorcraft Flight Control System
Source: Boeing, 16-Mar-12
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Army have successfully completed a series of tests on the company’s Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS), an advanced rotorcraft flight control system. AVMS, which has been in development for two years, delivers enhanced maneuverability and safety while reducing aircrew workload and overall operating costs. A Boeing H-6 helicopter equipped [...]
Innovation – significant reduction in rotor blade tip noise
Source: Helios, 13-Feb-12
HELIOS Hubschraubertransport GmbH presents the patented new SilentEcoWing – System to producers and experts at Heli Expo 2012 in Dallas, Texas. The project was inspired by nature: A bird gliding almost soundlessly. „We reflected how to minimize the noise generated at the rotor blade tips“, said Mr. Walter Enthammer, the General Manager. The result of [...]
Humpback whale secret may help helicopters fly faster
Source: DLR, 01-Feb-12
Modern helicopters could be significantly faster and more manoeuvrable – if aerodynamics did not impose limitations on them. Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) in Göttingen have now discovered and flight-tested a way to increase manoeuvrability using an idea they got from observing humpback whales. Unwanted turbulence Helicopters [...]
Eurocopter eyes speed record as it resumes X3 test flights
Source: Flightglobal, 24-Jan-12
Eurocopter will resume test flights of its X3 high speed technology demonstrator next month as it advances the concept towards a potential launch. (see full story)
VABS 3.6 reduces realistic composite blade modeling to seconds
Source: AnalySwift, 22-Jan-12
AnalySwift, LLC, a leading provider of efficient high-fidelity modeling software for aerospace and energy composites and other advanced materials, announced today the release of VABS 3.6. This is the latest version of VABS, which is the tool of choice for efficient and accurate modeling of composite slender structures such as wind turbine blades, helicopter rotor blades, high [...]
EC145T2 completes successful hot & high campaign
Source: Eurocopter Rotor Link, 17-Jan-12
The preliminary results of the flight test campaign are quite promising, and even show that the initial theoretical estimations (based on simulation models) were rather conservative. The flight test crew appreciated the general performance of the aircraft, especially in hover mode and its OEI performances. Following its flight tests in the U.S, the EC145 T2 [...]
Bell looks to “Super Medium” for future success with new 525SMT model
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Jan-12
Just before Christmas, Bell filed a flurry of Trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office. In particular, theses ones – each one listed as a trademark for a name of a helicopter or aircraft. – 525SMT – Super Medium – Super Medium Transport – Super Medium Class It’s obviously speculation as to what [...]
Boeing puts R&D money into Canadian university
Source: Boeing, 07-Sep-11
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is making investments with Dalhousie University to support research and development projects to strengthen the aerospace industry’s capabilities and competitiveness in Canada and globally. “The research community at Dalhousie values our relationships with the private sector, not only for the advancement of knowledge but also for commercial applications that improve [...]
AgustaWestland launches new R&D programme supported by £10m UK Government grant
Source: AgustaWestland, 22-Jul-11
It was announced that the Government has awarded AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, a total of £10 million in research and development grants that will be delivered through the Technology Strategy Board. The funding will go towards a new programme consisting of three R&D projects. The programme will ensure that the UK maintains its leading position [...]
X2 demonstrator takes final flight as Sikorsky paves way for S-97 Raider™
Source: Sikorsky, 18-Jul-11
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s X2 Technology™ demonstrator has flown for the last time, the company announced. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). In an early morning demonstration flight conducted from the company’s new Sikorsky Innovations Center within its Development Flight Center, the X2 Technology demonstrator gave invited guests [...]
AgustaWestland develops new capabilities for AW139
Source: AgustaWestland, 21-Jun-11
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce a number of new capabilities that will be introduced in the near future for the AW139 that will be of potential benefit to both current and future operators. These include enhanced navigation capabilities, the latest collision avoidance system, additional icing clearances and new helicopter deck clearances. AgustaWestland [...]
ONR propels cutting-edge technologies at Naval Helicopter Assocation Symposium
Source: Office of Naval Research, 13-May-11
ARLINGTON, Va.—When officials from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) showed up at the 63rd annual Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) Symposium in San Diego from May 9-12, they displayed a technology that allows helicopter aircraft commanders to “take the fight away from the boat.” The Low-Cost Imaging Terminal Seeker (LCITS) will give helicopters, such as the [...]
Eurocopter breaks ground for new development center in Germany
Source: Eurocopter, 08-May-11
A groundbreaking ceremony at Eurocopter’s German site in Donauwörth today marked the official start of construction work on the company’s new integrated development center, part of the Systemhaus project. This unique high-tech platform, due to be completed in 2012, positions the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer squarely for the future. With the Systemhaus project, Donauwörth will [...]
Sikorsky completes Active Rotor wind tunnel testing
Source: Sikorsky, 02-May-11
Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, has completed wind tunnel testing of its active rotor system equipped with high authority flaps. The effort is jointly funded by Sikorsky and the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD). Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). “The AATD/Sikorsky Active Rotor [...]
US Army pledges to launch new class of high-speed rotorocraft
Source: Flightglobal, 25-Apr-11
The leaders of the US Army aviation branch have pledged for the first time to break from upgrades to conventional helicopters and field an all-new rotorcraft with a minimum top speed of 200kt (370km/h) by 2030.
GE Aviation breaks ground for new $51M R&D base in Ohio
Source: GEAE, 21-Apr-11
GE Aviation broke ground today on its new Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center (EPISCENTER) on the University of Dayton campus in Dayton, Ohio. The $51 million center will be built on about eight acres on the University of Dayton’s campus on River Park Drive. “GE’s new R & D center will be [...]
DLR and NASA join forces to make future helicopters quieter
Source: DLR, 13-Apr-11
A helicopter relies on its rotor to be able to take off and land vertically. The rotor is also responsible for the noise a helicopter makes during flight. Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) in Göttingen and NASA are investigating the exact origin of this rotor noise. The [...]
Sikorsky to support Lindbergh’s LEAP organization
Source: Sikorsky, 13-Apr-11
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP) organization representatives will announce details of a joint initiative that continues the historic relationship between the Sikorsky and Lindbergh namesakes, during a press conference Thursday at the AERO Friedrichshafen air show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Sergei Sikorsky (photo), son of company founder Igor Sikorsky, is among the [...]
Lab focuses on new technology to prevent icing on helicopters
Source: Physorg, 11-Apr-11
Research from Ed Smith, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Penn State Rotorcraft Center of Excellence
AgustaWestland launches AWParc alliance with Politecnico di Milano
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-Apr-11
The Politecnico di Milano and AgustaWestland, have launched AWParc (Advanced Rotorcraft AgustaWestland Technical Center), a company formed at the Polytechnic’s Bovisa campus. The focus of this alliance is on expertise and skills in developing research projects related to the helicopter sector. AgustaWestland has made only two similar centers in the world, with the British Universities [...]
London and Norwegian Air Ambulances collaborate on pre-hospital care R&D
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 06-Apr-11
This agreement formalises the existing strong links between two long established providers of physician-led pre-hospital care. Both organisations are committed leaders in the field of quality improvement in pre-hospital care and place research and development high on their agendas. London’s Air Ambulance has an international reputation for clinical excellence and has trained the majority of [...]
UK scientists demo technology to make brown-out landings safer
Source: Royal Air Force, 20-Mar-11
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in conjunction with industry partners, today showcased the development of world leading technology designed to help helicopter pilots land more safely and efficiently in Afghanistan. Scientists from Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), have led the technical development of a pioneering approach to the problem of [...]
Canada’s NRC develops revolutionary control system for fly-by-wire helicopters
Source: National Research Council, 06-Mar-11
Ottawa-based National Research Council Canada Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace) has developed a unique and revolutionary technology for fly-by-wire aircraft, which will allow pilots to operate complex aircraft with a single pilot command interface acting as an independent controller of multiple input modes, simultaneously. This is a major breakthrough in the development of advanced [...]
Saab establishing R&D centre in India
Source: Saab, 09-Feb-11
At Aero India in Bangalore, defence and security company Saab have announced the establishment of a Research and Development Centre in India. With the establishment of this Research & Development Centre Saab will create a sustainable and long term relationship to be able to co-develop critical technologies with India. This centre is a part of [...]
Bell working on 412EP engine and cockpit upgrades
Source: Bell, 17-Dec-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced its plan to extend the capability and performance of the widely respected Bell 412EP helicopter, which will be available to customers in 2012. A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) project that will extend the wide range of missions that can be performed by the 412EP is [...]
P&WC to invest $1 billion in R&D over five years
Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada, 15-Dec-10
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced today that it will invest more than $1 billion in research and development over the next five years to develop the next generation of high-performance aircraft engines. The investment includes a $300 million repayable contribution from the Government of Canada under the Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative (SADI) program. [...]
Eurocopter X3 achieves 180 knots ahead of schedule
Source: Eurocopter, 10-Dec-10
Marignane, December 9, 2010 – Step 1 speed objective of 180 kts is attained ahead of schedule for this innovative rotary-wing aircraft. Eurocopter’s X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter demonstrator, which performed its maiden flight on September 6, 2010, has reached on November 29th the program’s Step 1 speed objective: attaining a true airspeed of 180 kts [...]
PWC and R-R Canada open cold weather engine test facility
Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada, 09-Nov-10
The Global Aerospace Centre for Icing and Environmental Research (GLACIER) Inc., a limited joint venture company comprising Rolls-Royce Canada and Pratt & Whitney Canada, has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art cold weather testing and research facility for aircraft engines, in northern Canada. The new facility specializes in ice tests for civil aerospace engine certification programs, [...]
Eurocopter pledges dramatic increase in R&D spending
Source: Flightglobal, 28-Oct-10
Eurocopter chief executive Lutz Bertling believes he has a winning formula to see his company safely through the recession: drastically increase spending on research and development
Sikorsky Innovations completes testing of hub-mounted vibration system
Source: Sikorsky, 14-Oct-10
STRATFORD, Conn.–Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, has completed rig testing of a Hub Mounted Vibration Suppression system (HMVS), designed to eliminate vibration and deliver a smoother helicopter ride. The effort is jointly funded by Sikorsky and the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD). Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [...]
EMS industry benefits from continuous product development of EC135 and EC145
Source: American Eurocopter, 12-Oct-10
American Eurocopter’s commitment to continuous product development for its EC135 and EC145 will ensure these rotary-wing aircraft remain the helicopters of choice for the U.S. emergency medical services (EMS) industry. The EC135 is the leader in its twin-engine category and a preferred product for helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operations in North America, accounting for [...]
AgustaWestland co-sponsors $100K Homeland Security research awards
Source: AgustaWestland, 07-Oct-10
The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation in partnership with AgustaWestland North America proudly recognize innovations in homeland security, announcing four winners for their achievements in efforts designed to protect the United States and its citizens. “This year four $25,000 Homeland Security Awards are being sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, an independent Federal government agency, [...]
Northrop Grumman and US Navy partner for Advance Rotorcraft Development
Source: Northrop Grumman, 30-Sep-10
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC 60.63, -.00, -0.01%) has partnered with the U.S. Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement (NACRA) to provide its Digital Avionics Suite technology for retrofitting NACRA’s UH-1N helicopter as an avionics test bed for future rotary wing hardware and software developments. Northrop Grumman is supplying NACRA with a stand-alone Digital Avionics Suite [...]
Eurocopter test flies X3 hybrid – huge potential, but lacking in beauty
Source: Eurocopter, 28-Sep-10
Eurocopter has begun test flights of the X3 demonstrator for its innovative High-speed, long-range Hybrid Helicopter (H3) concept, which combines excellent vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with fast cruise speeds of more than 220 kts. The X3 demonstrator is equipped with two turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed [...]
Eurocopter to disclose ‘significant milestone’ on Monday
Source: AIN, 24-Sep-10
Industry observers believe the company could finally unveil its plans for a compound helicopter, which is known in the industry as the X3.
Bell names team to lead innovation efforts
Source: Bell, 22-Sep-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is pleased to announce that it has named its 2010 Engineering Technical Fellows. This team of technical leaders is tasked with building and maintaining a 20-year technology roadmap that will introduce new products and improve existing platforms. Chosen based on their depth of engineering design scholarship and [...]
HAL calls in Italian consultants to get Dhruv to fly faster
Source: Business Standard, 13-Sep-10
The Italian consultants Avion will now scrutinise the Dhruv’s Integrated Dynamic System to diagnose the problem.
Eurocopter test flies EC145 with fenestron tail rotor
Source: Flug Revue, 17-Aug-10
Is this just a concept or a new model – and if so, will it replace the current model or be sold alongside the traditional style tail-rotor?
Russia researches possibility of 350 km/h helicopter
20-Jul-10
Russian Helicopters is examining the technological possibility of a helicopter which can reach speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, company spokesman Roman Kirillov told RIA Novosti on Friday
Boeing frets as US cuts helicopter R&D funding
Source: Marketwatch, 20-Jul-10
Sales of new military helicopters have been running strong due to demand from the U.S. conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Boeing Co. sees a time within the next decade when sales could slump significantly.
Bell and National Research Council Canada sign Research Framework Agreement
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
The National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced today that they have signed a 10-year research framework agreement to identify and undertake work of mutual interest in the research and development of technology solutions for the aerospace industry. This agreement will streamline the process of setting up fee-for-service and [...]
Sikorsky launches “Project FireflyTM” electric helicopter demonstrator
Source: Sikorsky, 19-Jul-10
Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, announced today from the Farnborough International Air Show that it has developed an all-electric helicopter technology demonstrator. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The FireflyTM Technology Demonstration Aircraft will be unveiled on July 26 at the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture exhibition [...]
HAL confronts Turbomeca over Shakti development costs
Source: Business Standard, 01-Jul-10
An outraged HAL board, having decided against paying so much to Turbomeca, has approached other engine-makers — including General Electric, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney — for an engine for the LuH.
AgustaWestland wins national award for innovation in Italy
Source: Varese News, 10-Jun-10
Award was presented to the AgustaWestland CEO Giuseppe Orsi by President Giorgio Napolitano during an official ceremony during the National Day of Innovation
TTTech delivers distributed IMA test bed to Sikorsky
Source: TTTech, 08-Jun-10
TTTech in Vienna, Austria delivered a distributed integrated modular avionics (IMA) test bed to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Distributed IMA is a class of integrated architectures which inherits all benefits of IMA and enables efficient design of distributed systems with mixed criticality functions. TTTech officials made the announcement at the Avionics USA conference in San Diego. [...]
EADS unveils hybrid eco-helicopter concept
Source: FlightGlobal, 08-Jun-10
EADS Innovation Works has unveiled a concept helicopter featuring a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that it claims has the potential to halve fuel consumption compared with a typical twin-turbine helicopter such as the EC135.
ProMetal RCT and Sikorsky recognized by AHS for R&D Achievement
Source: ProMetal RCT, 20-May-10
The ProMetal Rapid Casting Technology division of The Ex One Company, LLC (with locations in Irwin, PA, Troy, MI and Houston, TX) in partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation was awarded the coveted Robert L. Pinckney Award by the Vertical Flight Society of the American Helicopter Society. The award is given in recognition of notable achievement [...]
Russia plans to develop 5th-generation ‘stealth’ helicopters
Source: RIA Novosti, 14-May-10
“We are working on the concept of the fifth-generation combat helicopter,” the paper quoted the company’s CEO, Andrei Shibitov, as saying at a news conference in Moscow, confirming that the company was going to spend some $1 billion on the project, with more investment expected to be allocated from the state budget.
Students Apply Science and Imagination in NASA Tilt-Rotor Design Contest
Source: NASA, 29-Apr-10
Some helicopters of the future will look very different from today’s, at least as imagined by high school students for a NASA aeronautics competition. NASA challenged students to write a paper about a civilian aircraft that could hover, rescue up to 50 survivors of a disaster, land on ground or water, travel at least 920 [...]
Sikorsky targets Q3 for 250kt X2 flight
Source: FlightGlobal, 23-Apr-10
Sikorsky is targeting the third quarter to achieve the 250kt (460km/h) goal for its X2 high-speed prototype, after several delays in the flight-test programme.
Hindustan Aeronautics to go it alone on observation helicopter
Source: Flightglobal, 18-Mar-10
Hindustan Aeronautics has decided against seeking an international partner for its light observation helicopter programme, and will undertake the development by itself.
Sikorsky X2 Aims for World Speed Record
Source: Aviation Week, 25-Feb-10
The Sikorsky X2’s attempt to break the world speed record for rotorcraft later this year could determine the future path of helicopter development at the Connecticut-based company.
Second Prototype in Sikorsky S-76D™ Helicopter Program
Source: Sikorsky, 23-Feb-10
The second prototype aircraft in the S-76D™ helicopter program has entered the test flight program, with a third soon to follow, as the program that is producing the next generation model of the popular S-76® helicopter nears completion of its first fuselage for a production aircraft. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Kuwait [...]
Sikorsky Innovations Launched to Redefine Future of Vertical Flight
Source: Sikorsky, 01-Feb-10
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today launched its new technology development organization – Sikorsky Innovations – at a program attended by more than 100 government, education, business, technology and other officials at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The mission of Sikorsky Innovations is to develop and mature [...]
German aerospace agency shows how to quieten helicopters
Source: FlightGlobal, 26-Jan-10
Flight-testing in Europe has shown that 50% reductions in a helicopter’s acoustic footprint during landings are possible.
Air Methods tests air filter for Eurocopter EC135
Source: Chaffee County Times, 21-Jan-10
Air Methods Corporation of Englewood was testing for the performance of an air filter that protects the engine from sand and dust, which reduce efficiency of engines.
FAA Efforts On Alternative Aviation Fuels Lauded
Source: FAA, 15-Jan-10
The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative (CAAFI), a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sponsored effort to develop environmentally-sound, sustainable-alternative jet fuels, has received “one of the most coveted and valued honors” by a leading aviation-industry publication. Air Transport World’s Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award is given to an individual or an organization that has performed [...]
Bell merge Engineering and XworX in re-organization announcement
Source: Rotornews, 08-Jan-10
Jeff Lowinger, executive vice president, Engineering, is pleased to announce the following organizational changes in conjunction with the Integration of the Engineering and XworX organizations
DLR on the way to the silent helicopter
Source: Rotorhub, 09-Dec-09
The FHS (Flying Helicopter Simulator) Helicopters do not have to be loud. This is the conclusion of scientists at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) working on the FRIENDCOPTER project.
Eurocopter lightning test results verify finite element analysis
Source: FlightGlobal, 01-Dec-09
Lightning strike tests at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth facility have verified finite element analysis accuracy for carbonfibre structure current flow simulation, according to a European research consortium
UTRC Pioneers Fuel Cell-Powered Rotorcraft Flight
Source: UTRC, 30-Nov-09
United Technologies Research Center achieved first flight of a hydrogen/air fuel cell-powered rotorcraft. The successful technology demonstration was accomplished using a remote-controlled electric helicopter model modified to incorporate a custom Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant.
EADS CEO Seeks French Government Funding For Helicopter R&D
Source: Wall St Journal, 11-Oct-09
European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co NV’s (EAD.FR) chief executive has appealed to French parliamentarians for funding from a planned state loan to finance research and development into future generations of helicopters, it was revealed Friday.
