Three new business helicopters with enhanced safety and luxury amenities – Robb Report

Provided by Airbus

At some point between the original Magnum, PI And with the current reboot, helicopter travel has gone from noisy, rugged, and dangerous to surprisingly smooth, quiet, and sophisticated, at least at the top end of the market. Years of design and engineering improvements have given modern business helicopters increased levels of safety, luxury and speed, making them an increasingly viable alternative to fixed-wing aircraft. And when the coronavirus hit, this corporate whirlwind became even more appealing.

“In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, our customers realized that helicopters are the most private form of transportation that eliminates the need for airport terminals or FBOs,” a Bell Helicopters spokesperson said. The numbers bear this out. A total of 27 corporate helicopters of any manufacturer were delivered to US customers in 2020, but that number almost doubled to 50 two years later.

Such rotorcraft still have inherent limitations compared to turboprops and light jets, especially for flights over a few hundred miles. But they also boast a special skill set that makes them untouchable in terms of access. Your only option is to escape from the rooftops of Lower Manhattan and drop into the Hamptons, or take a ferry from your superyacht to a polo field in Bermuda. Recent advances in cabin comfort, vibration reduction, noise reduction, and fuel efficiency have further increased the functionality and appeal of businesscopters. And there’s also a new product range.

Airbus’ ACH160 (seen at the top of the post), which will be delivered to its first American domestic owner this year, represents progress in terms of sophistication. The premium version of the ACH160 gives the platform an upscale feel and features an improved cabin that can be configured for up to 10 passengers, rivaling private jets in terms of elegance. Airbus’ top-of-the-range model also touts significantly reduced noise and vibration levels, along with larger windows and a more spacious and luxurious interior by London-based Pegasus Design.

The model leverages 68 new patents, including the Helionix 3 avionics suite, which provides automatic takeoff and collision avoidance technology. The ACH160 can cruise at 178 miles per hour with a range of 529 miles and remain airborne for up to four and a half hours. In addition, an innovative safety feature activated by a double tap of a button on the control column allows for easy automatic return of the aircraft. Unscheduled descent.

Meanwhile, Bell’s long-awaited flagship product, the 525 Relentless, has gone through an FAA certification process and boasts a clean-sheet design informed by an international customer advisory board. It will be the first certified commercial helicopter with fly-by-wire architecture, a system that reduces pilot workload, increases situational awareness and enables full autopilot functionality. Relentless will be the largest commercial model in the Bell family, capable of carrying 16 passengers and two pilots, powered by twin GE turboshaft engines that provide redundancy, and with a range of 667 miles at speeds of 184 mph. It is reportedly capable of cruising. It can also be equipped with a variety of seating configurations and custom upholstery options by Mecaer Aviation Group.

But not all new ships need to carry A-list stars and their entire entourage. Leonardo’s next AW09 was developed by Copter Group, which the Italian company acquired in his 2020. The all-new single-engine platform aims to combine the performance and interior space of more expensive twin-engine configurations, featuring a modular architecture. Composite components that allow for spacious, high-ceiling layouts. Powered by a single Safran Arriel 2K turboshaft engine producing just over 1,000 horsepower, the copter features a low-vibration main rotor and shrouded cover and carries up to eight passengers for 797 miles at a cruising speed of 161 miles per hour. It can be transported and remain in the air for up to 5 hours. Tail rotor for quiet operation.

Corporate helicopters have always offered unparalleled convenience and accessibility for short-distance air travel, but modern players have placed a marked emphasis on comfort, safety, and efficiency. Think of it as a helicopter with decidedly more executive capabilities.