iscover
The Kawasaki OH-Xis Japan's first indigenous helicopter. The Scout/light observation aircraft is being developed as a replacement for the Japanese Army's OH-6s at a cost of approximately $A800m
Rotor Torque
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Explorer Certificated
The US FAA awarded McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems’ eight seat Explorer helicopter its type certificate on December 5 last year, making it the first all new passenger and utility helicopter certificated by the FAA in over a decade. Certification came 23 months after the Explorer’s first flight, one of the shortest certification periods recorded for an all new helicopter. MDHS expected to deliver the first Explorer to Petroleum Helicopters (the world’s largest operator of civil helicopters) in mid December. A second aircraft was due to be delivered before the new year.
McDonnell Douglas expects to deliver 1000 Explorers over the next decade and already holds some 200 certificates of interest for the helicopter (which would need be converted into firm orders one year from delivery). McDonnell Douglas first began development of the Explorer in 1988 to meet demand for a medium size helicopter with considerably lower direct operating costs. Features of the design include the all composite, bearingless main rotor, flexbeam and blade system, substantial use of composite materials construction in the primary structure (much of which will be made in Australia by HdH), liquid crystal display instruments (a first for helicopters), and the NOTAR No TAil Rotor anti torque system.
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