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.

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Mark Huber

Hill Helicopters announced&nbsp;plans to offer its kit-built HX50 and certified HC50 turbine single helicopters with a skid landing gear option, in addition to the standard retractable wheeled gear. According to Hill, gear selection would not alter the price, which is currently listed at $679,000 for the kit.

 


The Hill skids will be made from composite and aluminum, with steel wear shoes, and&nbsp;include a wide skid heel that will aid&nbsp;landings in snow, mud, and loose gravel. To prevent ground resonance, the skids will&nbsp;be designed with vibration tuning. Hill said the skids are “slightly lighter” than the wheeled gear and are expected to decrease cruise speed by 15 knots, down to 125 knots. Either landing gear option works with the helicopter’s pop-out emergency floats, which are located in the aircraft’s belly.

 


Rugeley, UK-based Hill unveiled the five-seat HX50 in August 2020. It plans to initially offer it&nbsp;as a kit-built aircraft in 2023, with&nbsp;a FAA certified (Part 27) version—the HC50—following in 2026. The design features&nbsp;an all-composite, three-blade main rotor, retractable landing gear, ducted tail rotor, and a 500-shp turboshaft powerplant.&nbsp;Performance targets include a 140-knot cruise speed (retractable gear) and a maximum range of 700 nm.

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 Skid Gear Model

Hill Helicopters said it would offer its turbine single with an option of either wheeled or skid gear. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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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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