A positive spin

© Stephen Trimble/Flightglobal Sikorsky has succeeded in demonstrating the X2, a coaxial, compound rotor capable of flying at 270kt

Helicopter industry fortunes are rebounding, after tough years of self-analysis prompted partly by a problematic safety record. In the run-up to the biggest-ever Heli-Expo, we chart the progress of new civil programmes, detail the design dilemmas of future military types and revel in the sheer versatility of rotorcraft as we spend time with Maryland police and NY Film Flyers.

Contents

• Outlook: Ready for lift-off
• Technology: Vertically challenged
• Safety: Saving lives...twice over
• Movies: A day in the life of
• Technology: A secret revolution
• Testing: Phase two for X3
• Flight test: R66 - Powerful swansong

Source: Flight International