H

elicopter manufacturers are facing

challenges in the future that their

fixed-wing counterparts will avoid.

Aeroplanes are likely to change in

subtle ways–new materials, new

shapes, new fuels–but the vertical

take-off and landing (VTOL)

industry is facing a revolution that

will change aircraft shapes, types,

propulsion systems, fuels and

most of all, customer demands.

The traditional helicopter will

always be there when its needed,

but meteoric rise of the air taxi

concept and the involvement of

disruptive companies like Uber

and Google is driving development

to meet visionary demands.

The result is a VTOL future that

is doubled-sided: for short urban

missions we’ll be using small,

mostly electric-powered machines

that may even be autonomous, and

for long, inter-city transport, we’ll

be f lying on helicopters that are

fast in the cruise, whisper-quiet

and ultra-efficient. Both long- and

short-range VTOL missions are

Lifting their

Game

Helicopters STEVE HITCHEN

The rotorcraft industry is

facing a future that is shaping

to be very different from the

past. Steve Hitchen asked

three of the world's largest

helicopter companies where

they are aiming their research

and development efforts.

24

AUSTRALIAN FLYING July – August 2018

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS