Taking the edge off

摘要

A helicopter that consumes up to 40 per cent less fuel and that produces significantly less noise than conventional rotorcraft has been developed by Airbus. The Bluecopter demonstrator has been equipped with an advanced rotor, improved airframe design and intelligent engine power management system, in a bid to improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise. The technology demonstrator paves the way for a new generation of quieter and more eco-friendly helicopters, said Marius Bebesel, programme manager for research and innovation at Airbus Helicopters. The helicopter produces approximately 10 decibels of effective perceived noise (EPNdB), which is below International Civil Aviation Organisation certification limits, and well below any other rotorcraft, said Bebesel, who has overall responsibility for Bluecopter. "We compared Bluecopter with the world fleet, and we are the world champion; we are between 3EPNdB and 5EPNdB [quieter] than conventional helicopters."