Airbus On Monday, he flew his strange helicopter-plane hybrid called Racer for the first time in Marseille, France. Aviation manufacturer classifies the aircraft as high speed pulley helicopter demonstrator. Unlike conventional helicopters, the Racer has fixed wings with control surfaces and propellers. The maiden flight lasted just 30 minutes, but Airbus intends to expand Racer’s flight capabilities over the next two years as work continues.
Competitor – first flight
As the name suggests, the Racer is capable of incredibly high speeds for a helicopter due to its propeller configuration. Airbus said the compound helicopter’s current cruise speed is 400.5 miles per hour, which is less than 1 mile per hour less than the current world record held by the Westland Lynx. However, the impetus for the program was fuel savings. Julien Guitton, head of the Racer program at Airbus, he said:
“The goal of Racer is not to travel as quickly as possible, but to offer increased operational capabilities at the right price for missions where speed can truly be an advantage. When we ask end users if they are interested in high speeds, the answer is invariably “yes, but.” Speed at all costs, without taking into account the economic and environmental impact, is of no interest to anyone.”
The wing mounted on the Racer provides 40 percent of total lift, enabling the apply of what Airbus calls eco mode. Racer can turn off one of its two engines mid-flight to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent. Although this is a slower flight mode, the aircraft will still fly faster than a conventional helicopter. The second engine can also be restarted immediately If needed. Airbus says the Racer is more comfortable to fly due to reduced vibrations caused by the main rotor.
The future of aviation seems to be heading in a direction where helicopter travel is becoming even more common. The airline hopes to offer service to commuters from city centers through airports to passengers within a few years. These plans focus on semi-autonomous eVTOL aircraft. While electric helicopters have come a long way, the efficiency gains promised by Racer’s innovations could prove useful for other aircraft.
