Eurocopter has successfully tested a hybrid helicopter that combines a turboshaft internal combustion engine with an electric motor for a world premiere, marking a new milestone in its innovation roadmap that opens the way for further enhancements in rotary-wing aircraft safety.
For this initial breakthrough in exploring the hybrid concept, Eurocopter is using the supplemental electric system to increase maneuverability of a single-engine helicopter during an autorotation landing – which is performed by helicopters in the event of a main engine failure.
The demonstrator helicopter is a production version of Eurocopter’s highly successful light single-engine AS350, which has been equipped with a supplementary electric motor. In the event of an engine failure, the electric motor provides power to the rotor, allowing a pilot to control the helicopter very easily during the descent to a safe touchdown. The next step is to bring this concept to maturity and evaluate its implementation on Eurocopter’s series production helicopters.
AviTrader sponsorship ad
Eurocopter successfully tests hybrid helicopter
Share this Article
Friday April 3, 2026
Embraer delivered 44 aircraft in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 47% year-on-year increase compared with 30 jets in the same period of 2025. The improvement was supported by advances in the company’s production levelling initiatives. In Commercial Aviat... Read More »
Friday April 3, 2026
The long-anticipated privatisation process of TAP Air Portugal (TAP) has entered a decisive phase, as two of Europe’s largest airline groups—Air France–KLM and Lufthansa Group—have formally submitted non-binding offers for the Portuguese flag carrier. ... Read More »
Thursday April 2, 2026
The Indonesian Ministry of Defence has selected the Pilatus PC-24 to support Indonesian Air Force operations, including transport pilot training, air transport and liaison missions. A contract for twelve aircraft has been signed with PT E-System Solutions Indo... Read More »
Thursday April 2, 2026
Chapman Freeborn, the global air charter specialist and part of Avia Solutions Group, has appointed Latha Narayan as President for the Asia Pacific region, effective April 1. In her new role, Narayan will lead the company’s strategic and commercial developme... Read More »
Thursday April 2, 2026
RECARO Aircraft Seating (RECARO) has announced an innovative sustainability-focused trial in partnership with Iberia. The initiative will launch this spring aboard an Iberia A320neo, where passengers will experience new environmentally conscious seating featur... Read More »
Thursday April 2, 2026
CDB Aviation, the Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing (CDB Leasing), has delivered the first of two Airbus A321LR aircraft to Icelandair as part of a long-term lease agreement signed in January 2024. The initial aircraft was handed ove... Read More »
Thursday April 2, 2026
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has secured a US$3.8 billion contract modification covering lots 18–19 of the F135 engine, which powers all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II. The modification finalises lot 18 F135 propulsion system production and... Read More »
Thursday April 2, 2026
International Aerospace Coatings (IAC) is expanding its global footprint by securing a long-term lease on both a wide-body and narrow-body hangar at Safi Aviation Park in Malta (MLA). The wide-body hangar, capable of accommodating all aircraft up to and includ... Read More »
Wednesday April 1, 2026
Delta Air Lines (Delta) will introduce Amazon Leo across hundreds of its aircraft, beginning with an initial rollout on 500 planes from 2028, while working with Amazon to expand its popular Delta Sync Wi-Fi and seatback experiences—enhancing personalisation ... Read More »
Wednesday April 1, 2026
Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) has delivered the first Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft to Compagnie Nationale Royal Air Maroc (Royal Air Maroc). The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines, marks the first of six 737-8 MAX aircraft to be placed on lease with the ... Read More »
Wednesday April 1, 2026
StandardAero has appointed Giovanni Spitale as President of its Business Aviation segment with immediate effect. He succeeds Anthony (Tony) Brancato III, who is retiring after nearly a decade in leadership roles at StandardAero and more than 40 years in the av... Read More »
Wednesday April 1, 2026
ACC Aviation has successfully remarketed six CF34-8C engines and associated Life-Limited Parts (LLPs) on behalf of OÜ Transpordi Varahaldus (TVH), Estonia’s state-owned transport asset management company. Following the repossession of the assets from former... Read More »
Wednesday April 1, 2026
Star Alliance has officially welcomed ITA Airways as its newest member, marking the completion of the Italian carrier’s integration into the world’s largest airline alliance. ITA Airways celebrated its entry with a ceremony at the Piazza di Spagna Lounge i... Read More »
Wednesday April 1, 2026
HALO AirFinance (HALO), a joint venture between GA Telesis (GAT) and Tokyo Century Corporation (TC), has completed a senior term loan for an entity owned and managed by Crestone Air Partners. The financing is secured by a mature Boeing 737-800 aircraft operate... Read More »
Tuesday March 31, 2026
Turboprop lessor Abelo has confirmed three additional ATR 72-600 options from its agreement signed at the Dubai Airshow in 2023. With these options now exercised, Abelo’s total firm orders stand at 36 aircraft, with a further nine options and purchase rights... Read More »
Tuesday March 31, 2026
Lufthansa Technik has successfully completed its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabin modification at its European Centre of Excellence for wide-body base maintenance services in Malta. This milestone marks a significant step in the expansion of Lufthansa Technik... Read More »
Tuesday March 31, 2026
dnata, the global air and travel services provider, has completed the integration of its Italian ground handling business into its global organisation, with all operations now conducted under the dnata brand. This milestone follows dnata’s full acquisition o... Read More »
Tuesday March 31, 2026
AerFin, the aviation asset specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts, has acquired a fourth B777-300ER previously operated by Japan Airlines, continuing its investment in the widely used wide-body platform. The aircraft has re... Read More »
Tuesday March 31, 2026
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, has signed an agreement in principle as part of a financing package totalling up to US$850 million. The comprehensive package provides the company with a str... Read More »
Tuesday March 31, 2026
The Board of Directors of Air Canada has announced that Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, following nearly two decades of dedicated leadership that has strengthened the airline’s position both domestically and internationa... Read More »
Aviation News Categories
2026 MEDIA KIT
Tamar Jorssen
tamar.jorssen@avitrader.com
Phone: +1 (778) 213 8543
Malte Tamm
malte.tamm@avitrader.com
Phone: +49 (0)162 8263049