Rotor Roundup: What’s on the Horizon for Helicopters and eVTOLs?

FLYING looks at the near future of both categories.

Friday, May 17, 2024 at 01:46 PM ET

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The Bell 525 (at right) proposes to bring the first fully digital, fly-by-wire rotorcraft to the civil market. [Courtesy: Bell Helicopter]

Key Takeaways:

The rotorcraft market is undergoing significant evolution, with new traditional helicopters like the Bell 525 introducing advanced digital fly-by-wire systems, enhanced safety, and greater efficiency as they approach certification.
Leonardo Helicopters is progressing with both its modern AW09 helicopter and the high-speed AW609 tiltrotor, aiming for dual certification from European and U.S. authorities.
The eVTOL sector is rapidly advancing towards commercialization, with numerous companies (e.g., Archer, Beta, Overair) making strides in flight testing and development, following EHang's pioneering certification and commercial demonstrations in China.

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The rotorcraft marker has always set itself apart within the general aviation industry, not only because of the different production requirements to develop and manufacture a helicopter versus a fixed-wing aircraft, but also because the category takes a different kind of training and operational environment to attain a commensurate level of safety.

FLYING took the opportunity to see what’s on the horizon in terms of both traditional helicopters and the red-hot powered-lift and eVTOL categories ahead of the Helicopter Association International’s HeliExpo in February at Anaheim, California.