Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

New Zealand’s Composite Helicopters has shifted its focus from developing and producing carbon-fiber kit helicopters to offering three certified models. The company recently announced that it has filed a type certification application with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and said it intends to pursue FAA certification under the FAA/CAA bilateral airworthiness agreement. 
Composite Helicopters says it now intends to produce three certified models: the KC630 
with a Rolls-Royce 300 engine in an executive five-seat configuration, the KC650 with a Honeywell LTS101 engine in a utility six-seat configuration and an intermediate KC640 model with a Rolls-Royce 250-C20B engine. The company said certification for the KC630 is anticipated in late 2017, followed by the KC650 and KC640 in 2018, and that establishment of an international dealer and support network is pending. Composite Helicopters claims its helicopters are the first fabricated with a full monocoque fuselage fabricated entirely from rigid composite materials. The models are expected to have a top speed of 125 knots, maximum gross weights from 3,200 to 3,600 poundds and payloads between 1,350 and 1,650 pounds. 
Composite Helicopters first announced its intention to enter the helicopter market in 2011 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., displaying the fuselage of a kit helicopter it called the KC518 “Adventourer.” At that time, the carbon-fiber and Kevlar fuselage helicopter with a four-blade aluminum main rotor and shrouded composite tail rotor was planned to be offered as a $337,000 kit with a $44,500 fast-build option. The company said it would eventually be offered as a certified model for $795,000. Over the last several years a pair of KC518s has accumulated more than 250 flight test hours. Both have crashed. 
The first accident occurred in May 2013 with a KC518 ditched into Auckland harbor 
following an apparent engine malfunction. Company CEO Peter Maloney autorotated into the water following the annunciation of several engine warnings from the helicopter’s Rolls-Royce 250-C18 turboshaft. Maloney later posted to the company’s Facebook page that the helicopter “performed beautifully” with a “sedate entry into auto[rotation]…Up until now, the helicopter has been flying really well.” 
The second occurred on November 8, 2014 when the machine rolled over after a hard landing during flight test in Rodney, Auckland. The test pilots aboard received minor injuries. They reported severe low-frequency vibration before making an emergency landing during which the helicopter pitched up and rolled on its side. Subsequent investigation revealed rod end component failure in the single scissor-link assembly of the upper swash plate and loss of main rotor control.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Composite Helicopters Pursuing Certified Models

The New Zealand company is moving toward certification of three models of its composite helicopter.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

HAI Heli-Expo 2015

More In Rotorcraft

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023

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