Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Join us live from Hill Helicopters’ Production Centre One for a special HX50 Update & AMA.
Go behind the scenes of the GT50’s successful first-ever engine run. Watch footage from this major milestone, hear from the team who made it happen, and discover what comes next for the GT50 and HX50 development programme, finishing with a live Q&A with Jason Hill.
For information on Raising the Standard / Elevate programs:
► hillhelicopters.com/raisingthestandard
Discover more
► hillhelicopters.com
0:00 - Start
0:45 - Intro
1:50 - General Aviation Reboot
3:20 - Why hasn't it been done before?
6:40 - Our Approach
9:53 - 4 Months to Ignition
17:53 - 2 Months to Ignition
19:07 - 1 Month
20:09 - 2 Weeks
25:04 - 1 Week
28:50 - 48 Hours
32:18 - 12 Hours
33:41 - 4 Hours
42:40 - 1 Hour
46:35 - FIRE!
47:37 - Aftermath
49:05 - Impact
51:37 - Accelerate
53:21 - Aviation Opportunities
56:10 - Elevate & Raising the Standard
58:32 - Recap
59:13 - AMA
59:47 - What is the plan now?
1:02:25 - UK CAA Certification
1:04:52 - EASA & FAA Certification
1:06:42 - Live Dashboard for GT50 Endurance Testing
1:08:24 - Flight Test Roadmap & RAF Collaboration
1:09:48 - Projected Timeline for 2026-2028
1:11:37 - How the Engine & Rotor Cowls Open
1:12:55 - Adapting the GT50 for Defence Use
1:14:51 - Bringing Manufacturing Processes In-House
1:16:03 - How the GT50 Compares to the Original Design
1:20:35 - Update on the New Fuselage Design
1:24:28 - GT50 Engine Performance Details
1:27:41 - Future Plans for the Turbine Engine
1:29:10 - Updates on the Documentary Production
1:31:38 - Status of the Cresswell Facility
1:31:57 - Jason's Personal Helicopter Configuration
1:32:51 - Integrating the Power Turbine & Gas Generator
1:34:30 - Details on the AC60 Aircraft
1:36:37 - HX50 Round-the-World Tour Details
1:39:42 - Major Tasks Remaining Besides the Engine
1:42:07 - Intercom and Radio Routing Options
1:42:44 - Plans for an IFR Certified Aircraft
1:43:46 - Future Potential for a Heat Exchanger
1:47:00 - Planned Locations for Flight Testing
1:47:32 - Ground Transport Equipment for Skid Models
1:48:32 - Jason Hill on His Aviation Legacy
1:51:52 - GT50 Engine RPM Details
1:53:14 - Have There Been Additional Engine Runs?
1:54:41 - Managing Multiple R&D and Production Risks
1:57:54 - Requirements for Running the Engine Regularly
1:58:51 - Timeline for Choosing Additional Equipment
2:00:16 - Fuel Consumption, TBO, and Maintainability
2:02:18 - Possibility of a Future 4-Blade Twin Engine
2:03:31 - Expected Engine Test Hours Before First Flight
2:05:40 - Plans for a Higher Horsepower Engine
2:06:43 - Weight Impact of the Emergency Floats
2:07:44 - Weight Impact of the Blade-Fold Kit
2:08:22 - Hot and Cold Weather Testing Plans
2:09:40 - When Will the Final Horsepower be Revealed?
2:10:28 - Plans for Engine Teardown and Inspection
2:12:16 - Elevate & Raising the Standard Programmes
2:15:09 - Service Centres and Parts Distribution
2:16:22 - Fitting the Engine into the Current Airframe
2:18:07 - Closing Remarks & Thanks
2:21:08 - Is the HX50 a Good Training Helicopter?
2:25:18 - End
Join us live from Hill Helicopters’ Production Centre One for a special HX50 Update & AMA.
Go behind the scenes of the GT50’s successful first-ever engine run. Watch footage from this major milestone, hear from the team who made it happen, and discover what comes next for the GT50 and HX50 development programme, finishing with a live Q&A with Jason Hill.
For information on Raising the Standard / Elevate programs:
► hillhelicopters.com/raisingthestandard
Discover more
► hillhelicopters.com
0:00 - Start
0:45 - Intro
1:50 - General Aviation Reboot
3:20 - Why hasn't it been done before?
6:40 - Our Approach
9:53 - 4 Months to Ignition
17:53 - 2 Months to Ignition
19:07 - 1 Month
20:09 - 2 Weeks
25:04 - 1 Week
28:50 - 48 Hours
32:18 - 12 Hours
33:41 - 4 Hours
42:40 - 1 Hour
46:35 - FIRE!
47:37 - Aftermath
49:05 - Impact
51:37 - Accelerate
53:21 - Aviation Opportunities
56:10 - Elevate & Raising the Standard
58:32 - Recap
59:13 - AMA
59:47 - What is the plan now?
1:02:25 - UK CAA Certification
1:04:52 - EASA & FAA Certification
1:06:42 - Live Dashboard for GT50 Endurance Testing
1:08:24 - Flight Test Roadmap & RAF Collaboration
1:09:48 - Projected Timeline for 2026-2028
1:11:37 - How the Engine & Rotor Cowls Open
1:12:55 - Adapting the GT50 for Defence Use
1:14:51 - Bringing Manufacturing Processes In-House
1:16:03 - How the GT50 Compares to the Original Design
1:20:35 - Update on the New Fuselage Design
1:24:28 - GT50 Engine Performance Details
1:27:41 - Future Plans for the Turbine Engine
1:29:10 - Updates on the Documentary Production
1:31:38 - Status of the Cresswell Facility
1:31:57 - Jason's Personal Helicopter Configuration
1:32:51 - Integrating the Power Turbine & Gas Generator
1:34:30 - Details on the AC60 Aircraft
1:36:37 - HX50 Round-the-World Tour Details
1:39:42 - Major Tasks Remaining Besides the Engine
1:42:07 - Intercom and Radio Routing Options
1:42:44 - Plans for an IFR Certified Aircraft
1:43:46 - Future Potential for a Heat Exchanger
1:47:00 - Planned Locations for Flight Testing
1:47:32 - Ground Transport Equipment for Skid Models
1:48:32 - Jason Hill on His Aviation Legacy
1:51:52 - GT50 Engine RPM Details
1:53:14 - Have There Been Additional Engine Runs?
1:54:41 - Managing Multiple R&D and Production Risks
1:57:54 - Requirements for Running the Engine Regularly
1:58:51 - Timeline for Choosing Additional Equipment
2:00:16 - Fuel Consumption, TBO, and Maintainability
2:02:18 - Possibility of a Future 4-Blade Twin Engine
2:03:31 - Expected Engine Test Hours Before First Flight
2:05:40 - Plans for a Higher Horsepower Engine
2:06:43 - Weight Impact of the Emergency Floats
2:07:44 - Weight Impact of the Blade-Fold Kit
2:08:22 - Hot and Cold Weather Testing Plans
2:09:40 - When Will the Final Horsepower be Revealed?
2:10:28 - Plans for Engine Teardown and Inspection
2:12:16 - Elevate & Raising the Standard Programmes
2:15:09 - Service Centres and Parts Distribution
2:16:22 - Fitting the Engine into the Current Airframe
2:18:07 - Closing Remarks & Thanks
2:21:08 - Is the HX50 a Good Training Helicopter?
2:25:18 - End
