Eurocopter Plans To Resume X3 Test Flights

The X3 compound helicopter demonstrator is set to resume flights this month. Data analysis from the first two flight-test campaigns has prompted new questions, chief technology officer Jean-Michel Billig told AIN, and the launch of a third test campaign has been scheduled. The testing will explore the behavior of the main rotor at high speed. Some other goals relate to the Fadec and the link between rotor rpm and aircraft speed. Billing said the first product using X3 technology may appear in 2020 or 2021.