{"id":1461,"date":"2010-07-30T08:16:48","date_gmt":"2010-07-30T15:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=1461"},"modified":"2010-07-30T08:18:48","modified_gmt":"2010-07-30T15:18:48","slug":"a-new-era-for-helicopters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/a-new-era-for-helicopters\/","title":{"rendered":"A New ERA For Helicopters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sikorsky Aircraft introduced its electric Firefly at AirVenture 2010 this week, but other ways to achieve green aviation are also showing up at Oshkosh.\u00a0 Avimech International Aircraft <\/a>introduced its Dragonfly tip-jet helicopter, powered by hydrogen peroxide.\u00a0 Besides turning brunettes into blondes, H2O2 has propulsive qualities, often functioning as part of a rocket fuel mix.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Manufacturing cargo conversion systems for large passenger aircraft and providing aircraft support services, Tuscon, Arizona-based Avimech promotes the use of H2O2 as a green fuel, and the new helicopter as an example of \u201cEnvironmentally Responsible Aviation.\u201d<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=CGcRgEuCocQ&feature=related<\/p>\n

Its simplicity is a major feature<\/a>.\u00a0 Tip jet propulsion forces fuel from the tanks flanking the pilot through rotor-tip openings, where the fuel reacts with a catalyst, spinning the rotor and providing lift.\u00a0 Avimech claims that this simplifies operation and control of the small (220 pounds empty weight) chopper.\u00a0 Because there is no rotational torque, lift and autorotation supplied through \u201cpurely aerodynamic forces\u201d, the pilot doesn\u2019t have to use rudder pedals.\u00a0 With no engine, gar box, rudder pedals, or hydraulics, maintenance is simplified.\u00a0 Avimech notes that tail rotor is not needed, but retained on this design for hovering maneuverability.<\/p>\n

The Dragonfly is reported to produce lower noise and less vibration than conventional helicopters, provide enhanced stability, and to be able to operate \u201cin strong winds (such as landing on ships for emergency rescue).\u201d\u00a0 Its claimed ability to lift an 800-pound payload seems to put it at some extreme of load-carrying efficiency.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only propulsion maintenance required is to flush the Tip-Jet system with water approximately every 20 hrs of operation. The H2O2 engines have a lifetime warranty,\u201d Avimech adds.\u00a0 With 70-percent concentrated hydrogen peroxide costing $4.00 per gallon, customers can reduce operating costs by manufacturing their own, according to the manufacturer.\u00a0 The DF1 consumes about 11-12 gallons per hour, according to Aero-news.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Avimech sets the price\u00a0at $120,000 for the FAA-certified Dragonfly; buyers at Oshkosh can get a special price during the show.<\/p>\n