This past few weeks, we have made significant strides in two critical areas: the core components of the GT50 engine and the safety systems of the HX50 airframe.

A concise update of what’s finished, what’s in flow, and what’s next as we sprint toward the GT50’s first run and pivot focus back to the full helicopter.

Development Update : GT50, HX50 Crashworthy Seats, and Rotor Blade Testing

GT50 Milestones, HX50 Seats, and Rotor Blade Testing

What drives a man to dedicate nearly five decades to a singular, audacious vision? In the world of aerospace, where the barrier to entry is sky-high and failure is common, Jason Hill stands out not just for his engineering acumen, but for his philosophy on difficulty. 

As he puts it, "The whole world is built on difficult. If it's easy, anybody can do it, and then it's worthless."

What drives a man to dedicate nearly five decades to a singular, audacious vision?

The Origin Story of Hill Helicopters

In the world of aviation, conventional wisdom says you don't build your own turbine engine. It’s too complex, too expensive, and the barriers to entry are simply too high. But at Hill Helicopters, we found that conventional wisdom was the very thing holding the industry back. 

To create the HX50 we realised we couldn't rely on off-the-shelf components. We had to do the impossible. We had to build the GT50.

In the world of aviation, conventional wisdom says you don't build your own turbine engine. It’s too complex, too expensive, and the barriers to entry are simply too high. But at Hill Helicopters, we found that conventional wisdom was the very thing holding the industry back.

Why We Spent 15 Years Building the GT50 Engine

Helicopters are engineering marvels, but unlike airplanes, they’re inherently unstable in flight. This is where modern autopilot technology transforms the entire experience. But not all autopilots are created equal. 

A Pilot’s Guide to the Hill HX50 Autopilot System

A Pilot’s Guide to the HX50 Autopilot System

If you've been asking yourself, "When is the right time to buy?", the answer is clear. The programme has matured from a bold vision into a tangible reality, yet early-adopter pricing and preferential delivery slots are still within reach.

For every revolutionary product, there is a perfect moment to get involved, a tipping point where the initial risk has faded, but the greatest rewards are still available. For the HX50, that moment is now.

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Order Your HX50

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Order Your  HX50

The all-inclusive Direct Operating Cost (DOC) for the Hill helicopter is $435 USD per hour (£350 GBP). This isn't just an estimate, it's a carefully calculated number based on four key pillars of ownership. Let's unpack each component - insurance, fuel, maintenance, and overhaul reserve, so you can see where every single penny goes, adjust for your location and utilisation, and plan with confidence.

One of the most important questions is: "What will it really cost to fly?"

Unpacking the $435/Hour Operating Cost

Imagine owning a helicopter that's as unique as your fingerprint, one that matches your luxury sports car, reflects your personal style, and is configured precisely for your mission requirements. 

For most aircraft buyers, customisation means choosing from a handful of preset options. But what if you could design nearly every aspect of your helicopter, from exterior paint schemes to mission-specific equipment?

Imagine owning a helicopter that's as unique as your fingerprint, one that matches your luxury sports car, reflects your personal style, and is configured precisely for your mission requirements.

A Complete Guide to Customising Your HX50

If you're considering the HX50 or HC50, or already own one, knowing exactly when your aircraft needs servicing can help you plan operations, minimise downtime, and maintain safety standards.

Unlike piston-engine aircraft with different maintenance philosophies, Hill Helicopters' turbine helicopters follow a structured inspection schedule based on flight hours and calendar time. 

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly when inspections happen, what’s included at each interval, how long they typically take, and how Hill’s global service network supports you. Expect simple scheduling, minimal downtime for routine checks, and clear milestones up to the 5,000-hour major inspection.

The HX50 Maintenance Schedule Explained

While many helicopters struggle against the immense power of parasitic drag, the HX50 was engineered to minimise this resistance. It’s not one single feature, but a collection of intelligent, interconnected design choices that work together. 

A 140-knot cruise speed is a significant achievement for light helicopters, a figure that turns heads and raises a common question: "How is that possible?"

How the Hill HX50 Achieves its 140-Knot Cruise

When discussing helicopter safety, we must consider the worst-case scenario. In the unlikely event of an accident, the primary danger isn't just the impact but the high probability of the aircraft rolling over.

For decades, many aircraft designs have overlooked this reality, using thin aluminum frames that can collapse on impact, leaving occupants exposed.

The HX50 was engineered from a different philosophy. By learning from 40 years of safety evolution in industries like Formula 1, the HX50 is designed as a complete "safety cell" for its passengers. This post explores the two revolutionary features that make it one of the safest helicopters on the market: the full carbon roll cage and the advanced crashworthy seats.

HX50 Safety Deep Dive

It’s a common fear, fuelled by countless action movies: a helicopter’s engine sputters, the blades stop spinning, and the aircraft plummets from the sky. But what if we told you that's almost entirely fiction?

It’s a common fear, fuelled by countless action movies: a helicopter’s engine sputters, the blades stop spinning, and the aircraft plummets from the sky.

How to safely land a helicopter after an engine failure

The story of Hill Helicopters and the genesis of the HX50/HC50 is not of an incremental improvement in the General Aviation (GA) sector, but a total reinvention. Driven by a lifelong fascination and a profound frustration with the industry's status quo, founder Dr. Jason Hill has transformed a childhood dream into a vertically integrated manufacturing powerhouse.

During his conversation with Mischa Gelb (Pilot Yellow), Jason reveals the core philosophy behind this game-changing design, the immense challenge of building a new helicopter—and a new engine—from scratch, and how a unique owner community is powering this aviation revolution. 

The vision for the HX50 was not a sudden decision, it was a decades-long conviction forged by a unique combination of passion and dissatisfaction.

25-Year Quest to Revolutionize General Aviation

The 25-year Quest to Fix General Aviation

Navigating the "harsh desert of technical execution" is an unforgiving process. It’s where ambitious ideas are tested against the laws of physics. For our team at Hill Helicopters, that journey has been intense, but the dream is now a collection of proven, functioning, in-house manufactured components. 

We’ve reached a new milestone: 50% of the GT50, the first all-new British-built turboshaft engine in 40 years, is now operational on the test bench.

Recap July's Update & AMA

Choosing the perfect personal helicopter is a decision that balances passion with pragmatism. When private owners consider entering the world of rotorcraft, three criteria consistently rise to the top: Safety, Long-Term Affordability, and sheer Desirability. A dream machine is one that not only excites you but also offers peace of mind and sustainable ownership.

For too long, the General Aviation market has presented a challenging choice: older, high-maintenance models or new aircraft with astronomical price tags. The result? Unsustainable costs that have hindered the growth of private flying.

Mischa Gelb (Pilot Yellow) explains how you will be prioritising Safety, Affordability, and Desirability with the HX50.

The Ultimate Guide to Private Helicopter Ownership

A pilot's greatest asset is situational awareness. In modern aviation, technology plays a crucial role in providing a clear picture of the surrounding environment, especially when visibility is low.

New Synthetic Vision System for the Digital Cockpit

We previously shared the exciting milestone of installing our new precision machining centre. Its first mission: crafting the incredibly intricate fuel spray nozzles for our GT50 prototype engines. 

We hit a snag on the very last operation for the nozzles—a tooling issue that stopped us in our tracks. Today, we're thrilled to show you how we overcame it and are now moving on to the critical testing phase! 

Today, we're thrilled to show you how we overcame it and are now moving on to the critical testing phase!

The 0.17mm Challenge on the GT50's Fuel Nozzle

The HX50 will have a spacious five-seat cabin with vast amounts of glazing that offer breathtaking panoramic views. While this creates an unparalleled passenger experience, it also presents a significant engineering challenge: how do you create large doors and windows without adding substantial weight to the aircraft?

The HX50 will have a spacious five-seat cabin with vast amounts of glazing that offer breathtaking panoramic views. But, how do you create large doors and windows without adding substantial weight to the aircraft?

Lighter Doors and Advanced Composites

Things are moving incredibly fast here at the factory! The complete tooling for our advanced rotor blades is taking shape, marking a significant milestone in bringing the HX50 to life.

HX50 Rotor Blade Tooling is Complete

Since building the initial technology demonstrator, we've gone back to the drawing board, implementing a whole host of improvements to revolutionise the annular combustor's design, performance, and manufacturability.

We've not only made the entire assembly easier and more cost-effective to produce, but we've also integrated key technical refinements.

Latest News & Stories

GT50 Milestones, HX50 Seats, and Rotor Blade Testing

The Origin Story of Hill Helicopters

Why We Spent 15 Years Building the GT50 Engine

A Pilot’s Guide to the HX50 Autopilot System

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Order Your HX50

Unpacking the $435/Hour Operating Cost

A Complete Guide to Customising Your HX50

The HX50 Maintenance Schedule Explained

How the Hill HX50 Achieves its 140-Knot Cruise

HX50’s Advanced Crash Protection

How to safely land a helicopter after an engine failure

The 25-year Quest to Fix General Aviation

Recap July's Update & AMA

The Ultimate Guide to Private Helicopter Ownership

New Synthetic Vision System for the Digital Cockpit

The 0.17mm Challenge on the GT50's Fuel Nozzle

Lighter Doors and Advanced Composites

HX50 Rotor Blade Tooling is Complete

The GT50 Annular Combustor

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