JUSTIN WASTNAGE / OVADA, ITALY
Italian company aims to break into flying school market with composite machine
Italian composite helicopter manufacturer DF Helicopters is finalising a contract with a US distributor ahead of first deliveries of its ultra-light DF 334 GP Dragon expected in October.
The company is seeking US certification of the DF 334 as part of its bid to break into the US f light school market.
Guido Polidoro, chief engineer at DF Helicopters (formerly Dragon Fly Helicopters), led the project to re-engine the original Dragon Fly 333-AC aerial survey aircraft. A 104shp (78kW) Rotax 914 Turbo powerplant replaces the 333's two-stroke DF-30A on the 334, which also features all-composite blades.
Other modifications include changes to the centrifugal clutch, rotorhead and tailrotor. The company has been in negotiations with a helicopter dealership in Colorado to act as DF's North American distributor. Adelbert Frommer, DF managing director, says he expects DF Helicopters United States to be incorporated by the end of the year and the company will use the subsidiary to launch certification of the aircraft in the USA.
Frommer says the aircraft could be operated under the US primary rotorcraft sub-part to FAR 91, which stipulates a two- or four-seat helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of 1,220kg (2,700lb). The category, for private transport only, is used for primary training.
Frommer estimates the operating costs of the 334 will be around $70/h, compared with $250-350/h for a Robinson R22.
Source: Flight International
