Hill Helicopters announced plans to offer its kit-built HX50 and certified HC50 turbine single helicopters with a skid landing gear option, in addition to the standard retractable wheeled gear. According to Hill, gear selection would not alter the price, which is currently listed at $679,000 for the kit.
The Hill skids will be made from composite and aluminum, with steel wear shoes, and include a wide skid heel that will aid landings in snow, mud, and loose gravel. To prevent ground resonance, the skids will be designed with vibration tuning. Hill said the skids are “slightly lighter” than the wheeled gear and are expected to decrease cruise speed by 15 knots, down to 125 knots. Either landing gear option works with the helicopter’s pop-out emergency floats, which are located in the aircraft’s belly.
Rugeley, UK-based Hill unveiled the five-seat HX50 in August 2020. It plans to initially offer it as a kit-built aircraft in 2023, with a FAA certified (Part 27) version—the HC50—following in 2026. The design features an all-composite, three-blade main rotor, retractable landing gear, ducted tail rotor, and a 500-shp turboshaft powerplant. Performance targets include a 140-knot cruise speed (retractable gear) and a maximum range of 700 nm.