It’s been a really good week with combustion testing -  the combustion specialists came in to make sure that we had a good stable flame with great ignition characteristics and that we’re maintaining the flame in the correct part of the combustion chamber. We’re doing everything we need to do to make that work properly in the full annular combustor.

Discover how we've identified and tackled challenges involving the combustion chamber's aerodynamics and the optimisation of the swirler to prevent flame contact with the chamber's thin sheet metal walls.

Achieving Optimal Flame Stability

A lot of work in different areas goes on simultaneously at Hill, and it has been some time since we reported on the composites work, where the main focus at the moment is getting ourselves production ready. Dave and the team are having a lot of success working systematically through all the process parameters we need to make robust production-ready moulds for the fuselage.

This behind-the-scenes look reveals the meticulous efforts to perfect the composite part production, from enhancing the pattern's finish for better mold sealing and vacuum integrity to innovating infusion techniques for flawless part molds.

Perfecting Composite Production

Casting good quality turbine blades in readiness for the gas generator means achieving the required production standards to verify every stage of the manufacturing. This means both locking down all the processes and implementing all the necessary quality controls.

Dive deep into the heart of turbine blade production with us as we navigate through the critical stages of engine development, focusing on the combustion testing and the meticulous preparation for running the gas generator.

Mastering Turbine Blade Production

Our biggest news this time is the successful showcasing of HX50 in December at two big events at Duxford Air Museum, followed by its unveiling to the commercial market at HAI Heli Expo 2024 in Anaheim, California in February.

Response from our customer base, friends and visitors seeing it for the first time, and then the broader market, shows that HX50 is resonating with the market in the way we always hoped it would. - Jason

RECAP March's HX50 MONTHLY UPDATE & AMA

There are five full sets of prototype starter generators almost ready for testing, with the last of the MGU components, the shaft components, the casings and various sealing elements now in production.

Five full sets of starter generators ready for testing

Within the next 2 months we will be moving into a larger rented facility that will put all the activities now taking place in the three current development centres under one roof, Production Centre 1.  

New headquarters

Hill is clocking up more and more “firsts” at an impressive pace.

A major component for the HX50, one that will be the very first to run on the GT50 test engine, is in production and almost finished.

Hill is clocking up more and more “firsts” at an impressive pace.

Major components for the HX50 that will be the very first to run on the GT50 test engine, is in production and almost finished.

Turbine Disk And Blades

Construction of the very first annular combustor for the GT50 engine is nearly complete and the combustion rig itself is coming along really nicely.

This is all happening at quite a pace. Only last week we demonstrated the injection bodies that take the nozzles, and they have now been tack welded into place.

Big Progress with the Annular Combustor

In another big moment for the GT50 engine, the final form of a major component has been signed off and is ready for testing.

Starter Generator Milestone Reached

Anyone who has been following the painstaking process we have been going through over the last 18 months or so to turn out aerospace quality gears will realise how important it is for them to undergo successful testing. 

Gear Fatigue Test Results

There is understandably a lot of interest in powering everything that moves electrically, and this includes light aircraft, and so we get asked a lot about our plans in this regard. 

Our view is that at the moment the technology isn’t available to make this commercially viable, so for us the alternative is to make the existing technology better. Of course Hill definitely has its eyes on electrification in the future, but in the meantime we have come up with an intermediate solution which we are calling gVTOL. 

There is understandably a lot of interest in powering everything that moves electrically, and this includes light aircraft, and so we get asked a lot about our plans in this regard.

Introducing gVTOL for the GT50 Engine

Over two days more than 700 visitors witnessed the dramatic unveiling of the HX50 helicopter prototypes, one with wheels, one with skids, and got to try them out for themselves. What does it feel like to actually sit inside the HX50? Everyone wanted to know, so dozens of enthusiasts crowded around the aircraft after the presentation, hardly believing that this superb aircraft is actually here, living up to all its promises.

Over two days more than 700 visitors witnessed the dramatic unveiling of the HX50 helicopter prototypes, one with wheels, the other with skids, and got to try them out for themselves. What does it feel like to actually sit inside the HX50?

Owners Reactions to the HX50 Unveiling

Owners Reactions to the HX50 Unveiling at the 3rd Global Meetup & Discover Event

By realising his childhood dream, Jason Hill has succeeded in building the world’s most beautiful light helicopter and presented it to the public for the first time at the famed Duxford Aviation Museum.

Jason Hill's childhood dream

On December 6 and 7, 2023, the HX50 took center stage at the 3rd GMDE Global Meetup and Discover Event.

Justifiably proud of the company's achievement, Jason outlined some of the key design drivers that led the project.

On December 6 & 7, 2023, the HX50 took center stage at the 3rd GMDE Global Meetup and Discover Event. Justifiably proud of the company's achievement, Jason outlined some of the key design drivers that led the project.

Unveiling the Future: Recap the 3rd Global Meetup and Discovery Event

Recap the 3rd Global Meetup and Discovery Event

As completion of the combustor for the GT50 engine approaches, everything is set for the main combustion test rig to go operational, but first there is a pre-test phase that will perform a very important role in the process.

Engine Injector Test Update

“Finding Hill” is the ultimate adventure story documenting the personal journey of Clint Pulver as he returns to the world of aviation to become a pilot of the never before seen Hill Helicopter.

Finding Hill Episode  2 | Who is Jason Hill?

“Finding Hill” is the ultimate adventure story documenting the personal journey of Clint Pulver as he returns to the world of aviation to become a pilot of the never before seen Hill Helicopter.  

THE ULTIMATE AVIATION ADVENTURE | FINDING HILL Ep. 1

Finding Hill Episode 1 | The Ultimate Aviation Adventure

Another Stop Press moment as the very first structurally representative tail boom returns from the initial paint process.

Tail Boom Painting and Precision

It’s pretty inspiring to see the factory shelves laden with completed components, manufactured in-house, part of our policy of building a helicopter from the ground up. They await assembly into   the main rotor systems for the two HX50 prototypes to be presented in December.

It’s pretty inspiring to see the factory shelves laden with completed components, manufactured in-house, part of our policy of building a helicopter from the ground up.

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Achieving Optimal Flame Stability

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