With this new option, the Hill HX50/HC50 becomes the only single turbine helicopter outside the ultralight cageory to offer purchasers the option of wheels or skids.  The only other models currently offered with these options are the twin-turbine Leonardo AW109 and the Bell 429.  Ed.

Rugeley, U.K. – August 24, 2021: Hill Helicopters today unveiled the modern, sleek fixed skid landing gear design for its HX50 and HC50 helicopters that delivers rugged go-anywhere performance while retaining the style and elegance synonymous with Hill.

“Hill Helicopters was founded upon the principal of delivering the customer’s ideal aircraft and every aspect of the HX50’s design is born from this philosophy,” says Hill, founder and CEO of Hill Helicopters. “While the standard HX50 design incorporates retractable wheeled landing gear, a number of customers have requested a fixed skid undercarriage option to ensure their aircraft provides maximum flexibility and robustness off-airfield. We also recognize many of our commercially certified HC50 customers will require rugged fixed gear for their operations. As both helicopters are in every respect identical in design and performance, Hill has developed a novel fixed skid undercarriage as part of the joint HX50/HC50 development program that includes many other technical and role-based options.”

Offered at the same price as the standard retractable gear, Hill’s fixed landing gear maintains the HX50’s beautiful streamlined aesthetic lines while delivering greater landing capability on unprepared surfaces. Crafted from composite and aluminum with steel wear shoes, the landing gear features a wide skid heel, allowing for easier landing in snow, mud, and loose gravel, and implements the latest vibration tuning technology to avoid ground resonance.

Slightly lighter than the wheeled landing gear, the fixed skid undercarriage is expected to decrease cruise speed by 15 knots. Either landing gear option works seamlessly with the Hill pop-out emergency float system, which is located in the aircraft’s belly.

A ground-up new design, the HX50 is a 5-seat, turbine-powered, 500-horsepower rotorcraft that blends refined performance with artistic function to deliver a whole new experience in safety, performance, adventure, comfort, and elegance. Its composite structure and flight control surfaces, optimized engine, reimagined avionics, and elevated interior design together make the HX50 an exquisite high tech and high-performance personal aircraft. The HC50 is the fully certified commercial version of the HX50 design.

For more information on Hill Helicopters and the HX50, please visit hillhelicopters.com.

About Hill Helicopters
Founded Dr. Jason Hill, Ph.D., Hill Helicopters’ mission is to fully disrupt the modern general aviation market with a completely revolutionary new private aircraft design. Built from the ground up and incorporating the latest structural, propulsion, navigation, and experiential technology, the HX50 is the helicopter redefined. For more information visit hillhelicopters.com.