Eurocopter is to step up production of its EC135 light twin. The Franco-German helicopter manufacturer claims to be picking up orders for the eight-seat helicopter "at record speed", with 85 sales confirmed to date. To meet market demand, the production schedule of around 20-30 units for 1997 will be increased to 50 machines in 1998. The first helicopter was delivered in August 1996.
Source: Flight International
Bell says civil aviation regulators are completing the last few evaluation flights on the new super-medium-twin helicopter, with executives hoping for a certification decision before the end of 2024.
Turkish Aerospace is seeing progress across its rotorcraft portfolio, with continued work on the 6t T625 Gokbey helicopter and a pending restart of T-70 production.
Just seven flights and 9h into its test campaign, Airbus Helicopters Racer technology demonstrator has already beaten its 220kt (407km/h) target speed and opened up 80% of its flight envelope since its 24 April maiden sortie.
