Auroa Helicopters Auroa

Role Helicopter
National origin New Zealand
Manufacturer Auroa Helicopters Limited
Introduction 2013
Status In production (2015)
Unit cost
165,000 (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

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)

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 (106 mph; 92 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 167 km/h; 104 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 204. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Auroa Helicopters (2017). "2 seat turbine powered helicopters". auroahelicopters.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  3. Auroa Helicopters (2012). "Specs and information" (PDF). auroahelicopters.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
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