US Flying reports that French engineer and helicopter pilot Pascal Chretien completed the first-ever untethered, all-electric manned helicopter flight last month. Flying a prototype he designed and built largely by himself over the course of a year, Chretien made it into the air for a total of 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Chretien was flying an ultralight, coaxial-rotor design along with highly flammable Lithium ion polymer pouch cells to accomplish the first flight, which was backed by the French company Solution F. Since helicopters require a great amount of energy during several key phases of flight, including landing, the risks of testing an all-electric machine are great. Showing a healthy dose of humour, before the flight Chretien told Gizmag, “In case of a crash, I stand good chances to end up in kebab form.”
On Wednesday the bodies of two pilots – David Cootes, 29, from Queensland, and his Slovakian co-pilot Thomas Munk – were recovered from the site where the Cessna 208-B Grand Caravan they were flying crashed in bad weather in Indonesia’s Papua province last Friday. The pair were flying for Indonesian charter operator Susi Air, delivering food and fuel to a remote district.
US AOPA reports that much-loved US actor and passionate aviator, Cliff Robertson, passed away on Saturday September 10 in New York, a day after his 88th birthday. Robertson, who had been keen on aviation since his teens, was first drawn to aviation by watching aerobatic pilots when he was five years old in California. He later worked at a local airport in return for flying lessons as a teenager. He reprised that experience for others when, as an adult, he established a youth volunteer program at the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Cliff Robertson Work Experience Program. Teenagers are given room and board, and work at Oshkosh for several weeks, cleaning hangars and other tasks in return for free flying lessons. Robertson was awarded Best Actor at the 1968 Academy Awards for his star turn in Charly.
Ryan Aerospace (Australia) has been named 2011 Business of the Year at the Manning Business Awards. The Taree-based company has sold helicopter and fast jet simulators to military and civilian customers all over the world. Accepting the aware, Managing Director Chris Ryan acknowledged that Ryan Aerospace owed much of the success of its business to other manufactures in the local area that had provided invaluable support services. At the same event, Ryan Aerospace also took top prize in the Information, Communications and Technology category. A good win for a small business.
Tomorrow more than 40 pilots in the US are teaming up with Pilots N Paws to transport 150 to 200 dogs to new homes in five states after the pooches were removed from animal shelters. The doggies will be flown from Florence Regional Airport to rescue groups and permanent homes in Washington, D.C., Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Georgia. The mission is dedicated to the ‘Chesterfield 22’ – 22 dogs that were allegedly shot to death by animal control officers in South Carolina in March. Pilots N Paws connects pilots who would like to donate airplanes, time, and fuel to transport animals to rescue groups, and it currently has more than 2000 volunteer pilots registered for the cause. A bit like Angel Flight – for man’s best friend…and their friends.
Following a new agreement between the two companies, Michelin will now supply tyres for almost all new piston engine Cessnas for the next five years. Michelin has long been supplying tyres for Cessna’s business jet range. Michelin is now Cessna’s leading tyre supplier.
Embraer is nearing completion of its first Legacy 500 twin engine biz jet, allowing the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer to start flight testing the model by year’s end. The Legacy 500 shares 95 per cent commonality with its slightly smaller sibling, the Legacy 450.
Pascal Chretien's prototype electric helicopter takes flight.
