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 civil rotorcraft market is seeing significant advancements, notably with the Bell 525 nearing certification as the first fully digital, fly-by-wire helicopter designed for enhanced safety, automation, and efficiency.
Leonardo Helicopters is actively pursuing certification for its multi-mission AW09 helicopter and the high-speed AW609 tiltrotor, navigating dual EASA and FAA regulatory processes.
Robinson Helicopters continues to serve the light general aviation market with its R22, R44, and R66 models, with new updates and developments anticipated.
The eVTOL sector is marked by rapid innovation and a competitive race for certification, with companies like Archer, Beta, Overair, and Eve progressing through flight testing and regulatory approvals, following EHang's initial certification 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.