If you want to fly a helicopter you need a license, so it’s up to you to decide when you learn to fly. You can order a HX50 without having a license. Some owners have ordered their aircraft without holding a license – in some cases they have a pilot who will fly it for them. If you get trained now you will have had more experience when you receive your helicopter.
The tail boom and the blades can be removed so it it can get crated into a 20' shipping container and shipped anywhere in the world (shipment is arranged by the buyer). Your engineer will reassemble the tail boom and the blades when it arrives at your destination. This will take about a day to complete.
HC50
The HC50 helicopter, identical to the HX50 but fully certified for commercial use, is expected to be available by end 2026.
The HX50 helicopter, designed for private owner pilots, is being developed along with its commercial version, the identical HC50, both meeting the latest EASA and FAA certification standards for small/normal category rotorcraft. The HX50, which is coming out in 2023, is provided to customers with an amateur-built airworthiness approval by virtue of its 51% build programme. The HC50 will take longer to certify for commercial operators and it will be available by the end of 2026.
Production Progress
Hill Helicopters is now actively working on building components of the engine, the airframe, gearboxes etc. What you start with building is systems. You need to first flush out all the issues that you have in individual systems. Then you move on to subsystems, so you assemble and test subsystems and flush out all the issues that you have in those. Then you assemble and test the ground running prototypes. This will happen in 2023. We will start showing you many more physical things being built and tested over the coming few months. Recent updates are being documented in videos on the Journey to HX50 page.
We are currently developing both the HX50 and HC50, with plans for the engine's first run and a fuselage to be completed in 2023. Our goal is to have both prototypes flying by the end of that year. By the end of 2024, we plan to start production and make the first deliveries of the HX50.
The engine and other components are being built, tested and prototyped in a 10,000 sq ft purpose-built development centre where the entire development team is now working. Ground testing and approvals will take place there, with flight testing likely at either of two nearby airports. A 250,000 sq ft factory site has been located and is currently being designed - this will eventually be the Hill International Headquarters, operational by 2024.
The factory, currently under development, is expected to have an initial peak capacity of up to 500 units per year, with plans to increase production in subsequent years.
Yes, we have. We’re entering a phase of the programme now where there are more external factors, availability of materials, etc. We’re starting to ramp up the work force so the availability of people to actually do the shop floor work can have an impact. But fundamentally in terms of the core engineering we are pretty much exactly where we expected to be by this point.
Price
The HX50 comes with a comprehensive list of options and is priced at a reasonable £595,000. To see the wide range of extra options available, complete with prices, we suggest you go to the Configurator on the website.
The price is £595,000, however there are discounts available based on how soon you order your aircraft, what deposit you pay and what delivery period you opt for.