Officials from Rolls-Royce and Innova Aerospace signed an agreement yesterday at Heli-Expo 2016 to launch a technical development program to certify the RR300 turboshaft engine for the Innova Helicopters C630, a composite, single-engine helicopter. The agreement was signed by Jason Propes, senior vice president of helicopters and light turboprop engines for Rolls-Royce, and Greg Fedele, executive vice president of corporate development for Innova Aerospace.
Innova Helicopters, formerly known as Innova Composite Helicopters, is located at North Shore Airport in Auckland, New Zealand. Privately owned Innova Aerospace also owns Sierra Industries and Skyway Group. The C630 is a 3,200-mtow, five- to six-passenger utility helicopter with range of up to 450 nm (no reserve) and cruise speed of 125 knots.
Under the three-year support agreement Rolls-Royce will provide technical installation support the C630 certification program. Product development is expected to take 24 to 36 months. The initial type and production certificates are planned to be issued by the New Zealand CAA.
According to Tim McGrath, Rolls-Royce vice-president of customer business, officials of the two companies met at Oshkosh in July 2011. “We were impressed with the design of the helicopter and thought our engine would be a good fit,” he said. “That started the relationship.”
Said Fedele, “When choosing an engine for the C630, we wanted a partner that was as innovative as our company. We found that partner with the team from Rolls-Royce. We continue to build a world-class production and engineering team in New Zealand as we advance our certification program.”
Rolls-Royce already is building 100 RR300 engines per year under a contract with Robinson Helicopter for the R66, and McGrath said Rolls would have no problem increasing the production rate to accommodate the Innova C630.