Iraqi 55th Squadron & 21 th Squadron EC-635 and UH-1 in action against Islamic State vehicles – East of Tikrit.
Considering the information from Airbus Helicopters, this EC635 is equipped with 70 mm unguided rocket launchers and 12.7-mm machine gun pod.
November 2014 –
After delivery in September this year, the German rescue company ADAC proceeded with their first rescue winch operations training on the EC145 T2. The training took place in the Alps, southern Bavaria. Several teams enjoyed the large cabin suitable for 10 crew members with their full rescue gear. The aircraft is equipped with a folding rescue winch over the cabin side door.
All ADAC helicopters come with a yellow livery and the callsign “Christoph”. They are famous throughout all Germany, and air traffic controllers do their best to provide them with the fastest and safest flight routes. Continue reading »
AgustaWestland has a museum accessible to the public in Cascina Costa close to Milan, Italy. The facility is only one of the numerous Italian locations as in Naples, Rome or Brindisi.
The museum actually covers only the italian side of the company, founded by Giovanni Agusta and directed by the Agusta family since the beginning of the 20th century. While visiting the museum, you would discover that the Agusta family did not build only aircraft, but also motorbikes. Nevertheless, most of the museum displays real helicopters, models and various parts (vertical stabilizer of an AB609, main gear box of an AW101…). Agusta built original helicopters as well as types under license, mostly from Bell.
If you have the opportunity, go and have a look, it is worth your time.
More information: www.museoagusta.it
Agusta A103, powered by an Agusta MV-GA70 piston engine of 85 shp
Italy is definitely a welcoming environment for helicopters: beside AgustaWestland, many small companies emerged lately: Alpi Aviation, Italian Rotors Industries, Konner, Fama…
Today, we discover SKT Helicopters, located in Switzerland, close to the Italian border in Milano.
SKT Skyrider 06 in workshop
welcome!
SKT Skyrider 06 cockpit
SKT Skyrider 06 hovering
SKT Skyrider 06
Thanks to Mr Dinelli (SKT Helicopters) for the photos
SKT Helicopters, Skyrider 06
MD530G is based on the MD530F platform with few modifications in order to convert it into a gunship.
High capacity landing gear allowing an additional 400 lbs of the 3750 lbs maximun take off gross weight
Integration of the ER2W (Extended Range Weapons Wing) with 4 weapon stations for:
The cocpkit is equipped with the Garmin 500H and a multi function display
Behind the seats is installed the MOOG store management system for both inner and outer weapon stations, composed of 3 separate components, providing the weapons situation and the situational awareness to the crew:
The L3 Wescam MX10 provides EO (Electro Optics) and IR (Infra Red) sensors to the multi function display in the cockpit, and the laser guidance for the guided rockets.
MD530G
Airbus Helicopters certified its EC145 T2 recently. The new aircraft is based on the famous EC145 aka BK117 C2.
Both designations EC145 T2 and BK117 D2 refer to the same aircraft.
Enhancements incorporated in the T2 version of the 4-metric-ton category EC145 include new Arriel 2E engines and the company’s signature Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and new tail rotor gear boxes, and an advanced cockpit that uses Airbus Helicopter’s innovative Helionix digital avionics suite with 4-axis autopilot.
EC145 T2 cockpit with Helionix avionics system
EC145 T2 D-HADW during demo tour in Asia
More photos available at airbushelicopters.com
Every year and a few steps away from the lake of Constance, southern Germany, the airport of Friedrichshafen hosts the AERO trade fair, gathering many manufacturers from the light general aviation.
Ultra Lights and gliders, small and light aircraft, gyrocopters and helicopters, navigation systems and digital maps, everybody had something to keep himself busy.
Of course, I headed for the helicopters. The exhibition is mostly European. Robinson was not present, as well as bigger manufacturers like AgustaWestland or Airbus Helicopters.
e-volo is a young German company aiming for an electric “multicopter”. The Volocopter is a dream to every young engineer: the elegant concept featuring 18 electric motors (55 to 90 kW) proved its feasibility with an indoor unmanned flight last year (November 2013), and outdoor “real” flights are expected with excitement.
The aircraft will be certified as Ultra Light with a gross weight of 450 kg and 2 persons side by side.
Cruise speed would be at least 100 km/h, longer than 1 hour and higher than 6500 ft.
e-volo VC200
e-volo VC200
The two-seater is worldwide famous, but not yet big enough to seriously compete against the almighty Robinson. The Cabri is now fitted with a cargo hoist up to 220 kg and models produced after S/N 008 can be easily retrofitted.
GUIMBAL Cabri with 220kg hoist
GUIMBAL Cabri cockpit
SAGITA Helicopters is a Belgian company created in 2008, working on a new helicopter design based on a Ljungström turbine. The bulky hull covers a centrifugal turbine, that powers both of the rotor plates. The 2 pairs of blades are contra-rotating coaxial rotors. According to the brochure, the transmission system requires no lubrication or cooling!
The air intake is located at the rear of the fuselage and the exhaust is a thin gap between the hemispheres of the rotor head.
Despite succesful flight tests of a 1/5 scale model and wind tunnel experiments, the full scale prototype is expected to make its maiden flight only next year.
SAGITA helicopter mock up
SAGITA helicopter mock up from behind
Ljungström turbine from Wikipedia
DYNALI is another Belgian helicopter manufacturer. The first model, the H2, was under powered and got replaced by the H2S, powered by a Subaru engine. The H3 was on display.
The H3 is available as a kit for 100 000 EUR or ready to fly for 110 000 EUR. The H2S is more performing and comes with a slightly higher price of 125 000 EUR ready for flight.
With a gross weight of 450 kg, the H3 qualifies as a Class 6 ULM in France.
DYNALI H3 with an open canopy
Unfortunately, the staff was not available to talk about the aircraft. Nevertheless, the brochure is very detailed and plenty of information.
The two-seater is powered either with a Thunderbird 130 shp or with a Lycoming O-320 B2C (four cylinders and 160 shp) and qualifies as a French ULM with a gross weight of 450 kg.
IRI T-Line
IRI T-Line from behind
IRI T-Line, cockpit interior
IRI T-Line dashboard
Yet another Italian helicopter manufacturer! Unfortunately, they were already packing and there was nobody to discuss with.
Syton AH130
Syton AH130 dashboard
Syton AH130, detail of the tail rotor
Konner is an Italian helicopter manufacturer producing its own Diesel turbo engines. The TK250 produces 250 shp at 2300 rpm.
The warm welcome with big slices of prosciutto was noteworthy.
The aircraft seems to come in any colour you could imagine, inside as well as outside. It can be powered with aviation fuel (kerozene, JP-4…) as well as diesel. Example was taken from a customer in Micronesia using the helicopter as help for fishing. The aircraft is provided with the same fuel as the ship: diesel.
KONNER K1
KONNER K1 cockpit
Konner K1, detail of the joystick
KONNER K1, detail of the tail rotor
KONNER K1
This German company started the development of the HPC450, a small helicopter. The model has never flown yet, but the display looked promising and we could expect a maiden flight soon.
HELIPARK HPC450
HELIPARK HPC450 engine
HELIPARK HPC450, detail of the tail rotor
HELIPARK HPC450, detail of the flight controls
HELIPARK HPC450 from behind
Beside the manufacturers, another company displayed its airborne sensors. The Bo105 fuselage might have been there for demonstration purpose only; I wouldn’t know where the pilot would seat otherwise 🙂
Airborne Technologies Bo105 Mockup
Airborne Technologies Bo105 Mockup, operator console
AS350 B3 and the bike dazzling in the desert sun (C) Anthony PECCHI
AS350B3 Heliconia CN-HBC over the desert (C) Anthony PECCHI
Video AS350B3 Heliconia CN-HBC over the desert (C) Anthony PECCHI
Pictures courtesy of Airbus Helicopters
Do you know helicopterlinks.com?
Helicopter Links’ homepage lists helicopter manufacturers worldwide, whose facilities are currently in-production, available for production, and includes several start-up and research companies.
Other information available on Helicopter Links include a section of helicopter trade shows, helicopter magazines, helicopter associations and organizations, helicopter museums, suppliers and services around the world. Continue reading »
