Auroa Helicopters Auroa
| Role | Helicopter |
|---|---|
| National origin | New Zealand |
| Manufacturer | Auroa Helicopters Limited |
| First flight | 2011 |
| Introduction | 2013 |
| Status | In production (2015) |
The Auroa Helicopters Auroa is a New Zealand helicopter designed and produced by Auroa Helicopters Limited of Manaia, Taranaki, introduced in 2013. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]
Design and development
[edit]The Auroa was designed to comply with the New Zealand and European Class 6 microlight helicopter rules. It features a single main rotor and tail rotor, a two-seats-in side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit with a windshield, skid landing gear and a 160 hp (119 kW) Solar T62 turbine engine.[1]
The aircraft fuselage is made from a combination of metal tubing and composites. Its two-bladed rotor has a diameter of 6 m (19.7 ft). The tail rotor has four blades and a protective ring. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 310 kg (683 lb) and a gross weight of 600 kg (1,323 lb) (544 kg (1,199 lb) for the microlight class), giving a useful load of 290 kg (639 lb) (234 kg (516 lb) for the microlight class).[1]
Reviewer Werner Pfaendler, describes the design as "elegant".[1]
First flown in 2011, the three prototypes accumulated 130 flying hours by the end of that year.[2]
Specifications (Auroa)
[edit]Data from Tacke and manufacturer[1][3]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Empty weight: 310 kg (683 lb)
- Gross weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Solar T62 turbine engine, 120 kW (160 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Main rotor area: 28.26 m2 (304.2 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
- Cruise speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 170 km/h (100 mph, 90 kn)
- Endurance: 2 hours
- Rate of climb: 6 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
- Disk loading: 21.2 kg/m2 (4.3 lb/sq ft)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 204. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Auroa Helicopters (2017). "2 seat turbine powered helicopters". auroahelicopters.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
- ^ Auroa Helicopters (2012). "Specs and information" (PDF). auroahelicopters.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2017.