Rotorcraft
Eurocopter X3 ‘Flies Intuitively,’ Say Test Pilots
The Eurocopter X3 technology demonstrator flew at 255 knots in level flight, an unofficial record for a helicopter, on June 7. It also reached 263 knots in a dive. “It’s no exaggeration to say that the X3 is clearly in its element at high speeds,” said Hervé Jammayrac, Eurocopter test pilot.
The Eurocopter X3 technology demonstrator flew at 255 knots in level flight, an unofficial record for a helicopter, on June 7. It also reached 263 knots in a dive. “It’s no exaggeration to say that the X3 is clearly in its element at high speeds,” said Hervé Jammayrac, Eurocopter test pilot.

The Eurocopter X3 hybrid made its record-breaking speed run just 10 days before the opening of the Paris Air Show, so it was not surprising that the EADS company brought both the unique aircraft and its crew to the Le Bourget biennial event. On June 7, the X3 flew at 255 knots in level flight and 263 knots in a dive, besting the previous record set by the Sikorsky X2 in September 2010 (250 knots level and 260 knots in descent). Among a crush of onlookers and well-wishers, AIN had a few minutes to talk with the pilots about how one actually flies this aircraft.