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
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Korean Air plans to invest KRW 1.2 trillion in the construction of a cutting-edge Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Aviation Safety R&D Centre in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The ambitious initiative marks a major step in the airline's long-term vision to lead f... Read More »
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) has signed a definitive agreement with Avolon Aerospace Leasing (Avolon) to acquire a portfolio of 20 aircraft. The deal comprises 16 narrow-body and four wide-body aircraft, with a strong emphasis on new technology types—12 ... Read More »
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Ashland Place Finance LLC (Ashland Place), a commercial aviation financing platform, has completed two new financing facilities for Sirius Aviation Capital Holdings Limited (Sirius), an aircraft leasing company based in Abu Dhabi Global Market. The agreements ... Read More »
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Heart Aerospace, the Swedish hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer, has announced it is relocating its corporate headquarters from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Los Angeles, California. The strategic shift aims to support the development and testing of its forthcomin... Read More »
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC), the prominent lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, has announced the successful closing of three Japanese operating lease with call option (JOLCO) transactions, securing a tota... Read More »
Tuesday April 29, 2025
flynas, the low-cost Saudi air carrier, has announced the signing of an agreement with Safran, the prominent manufacturer of aircraft seats for both crew and passengers. The deal will see the next 60 new A320neo aircraft joining the flynas fleet fitted with th... Read More »
Tuesday April 29, 2025
Europe's aviation regulator, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), has said it may take between three and six years to certify COMAC's C919 narrow-body jet for use in European airspace, Reuters reported on Monday, citing an interview with EASA exec... Read More »
Tuesday April 29, 2025
Avolon, the global aviation finance company, has reported strong financial results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, with net income rising 36% year-on-year to US$145 million. Lease revenue reached US$683 million, a 10% increase compared with Q1 2024. The co... Read More »
Tuesday April 29, 2025
The Lufthansa Group reported a 10% year-on-year revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025) reaching €8.1 billion. While the company recorded an adjusted EBIT loss of €722 million, this marked a significant improvement over last year's €849 m... Read More »
Tuesday April 29, 2025
The Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik AG will welcome two new members effective May 1, 2025: Dr Christian Leifeld will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer, while Dr Janna Schumacher becomes the new Chief Human Resources Officer. The company's Supervi... Read More »
Tuesday April 29, 2025
The Inter-Governmental agreement between India and France was signed on April 28, paving the way for the official signing—witnessed by Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO, Éric Trappier—of the contract for India's acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft t... Read More »
Monday April 28, 2025
Airbus has finalised a definitive agreement with Spirit AeroSystems to acquire industrial assets related to its commercial aircraft programmes. Under this agreement, Airbus will take ownership of several key Spirit AeroSystems assets. These include the Kinston... Read More »
Monday April 28, 2025
Air Serbia has chosen LISA Aircraft Records Management as their digital system for managing aircraft records, marking a significant milestone in the airline's digital transformation journey. With a fleet of 29 aircraft, Air Serbia now has access to a comprehen... Read More »
Monday April 28, 2025
APOC Aviation, the intuitive trading and leasing specialist focused on engines, landing gear and USM components, has announced the appointment of aviation expert Geoff Ellis as Technical Asset Manager. Ellis will support engine leasing, powerplant acquisitions... Read More »
Monday April 28, 2025
Finnair will furlough 36 pilots operating its long-haul flights. The furloughs will commence by the end of September at the latest and are expected to last at least until May 2026. The decision stems from changes in Finnair's wet-lease operations for a partner... Read More »
Monday April 28, 2025
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest airline, will be the first company in Asia to utilise AeroSHARK, the fuel-saving riblet film developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, on its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft. Furthermore, ANA will be the first airline wor... Read More »
Monday April 28, 2025
Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), centre of excellence for Airbus freighter conversions, has signed an agreement with Confity Capital Partners (Confity), a UAE-based growth equity and investment firm, for a multi-aircraft order under its Airbus A330 Passenger-to-Freig... Read More »
Friday April 25, 2025
Air Serbia has welcomed its new Embraer E-195 aircraft at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. The latest addition to the Serbian national carrier's fleet, registered as YU-ATC, was manufactured in 2014 and features a 118-seat configuration. Following the completion... Read More »
Friday April 25, 2025
United Airlines (United) has announced an investment in JetZero, a start-up developing an innovative blended wing body (BWB) aircraft design that promises significant improvements in fuel efficiency and passenger experience. The agreement includes a potential ... Read More »
Friday April 25, 2025
IndiGo has announced the appointment of Michael Whitaker as an Independent Director, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Whitaker most recently served as Administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the body responsible for ove... Read More »
Aviation News Categories
2023 MEDIA KIT
Tamar Jorssen
tamar.jorssen@avitrader.com
Phone: +1 (778) 213 8543
Malte Tamm
malte.tamm@avitrader.com
Phone: +49 (0)162 8263049