Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

Hill Helicopters will initially offer its&nbsp;five-seat HX50 turbine single&nbsp;as an amateur-built aircraft in 2023, following in 2026 with&nbsp;a certified Part 27 version designated the HC50. List price for the HX50 is $662,000 and includes a two-week builder assistance program at Hill’s UK factory. Hill said the price for the HC50 would be “significantly higher.” The company also announced that each helicopter would come with a 5,000-hour, five-year nose-to-tail warranty with no 12-year aircraft or engine overhaul requirement.&nbsp;

 


&nbsp;“There is no better way to understand the absolute necessity of correct piloting, operating, and vital maintenance requirements than being directly involved in the manufacture of your own helicopter,” said CEO Jason Hill. “We believe very strongly that this awareness is paramount to developing owner-operators with the knowledge, skills, and technical appreciation that enable long-term safe operation of their aircraft.”&nbsp;

 


Hill unveiled the HX50 in August and said it would begin flight testing in 2022. The aircraft features&nbsp;an all-composite, three-blade main rotor, retractable landing gear, and a ducted tail rotor. Performance targets include a 140-knot cruise speed and a maximum range of 700 nm.&nbsp;

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Hill Helicopters To Offer HX50 as Kit

Hill Helicopters said its five-seat HX50 turbine single will initially be offered as an amateur-built aircraft in 2023 for $662,000. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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