A New ERA For Helicopters

Dean Sigler Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Sikorsky Aircraft introduced its electric Firefly at AirVenture 2010 this week, but other ways to achieve green aviation are also showing up at Oshkosh.  Avimech International Aircraft introduced its Dragonfly tip-jet helicopter, powered by hydrogen peroxide.  Besides turning brunettes into blondes, H2O2 has propulsive qualities, often functioning as part of a rocket fuel mix.  Manufacturing 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 “Environmentally Responsible Aviation.” Its simplicity is a major feature.  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.  Avimech claims that this simplifies operation and control of the small (220 pounds empty weight) chopper.  Because there is no rotational torque, lift and autorotation supplied through “purely aerodynamic forces”, the pilot doesn’t have to use rudder …