Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Welcome to the HX50 Update & AMA, streamed live on 25 February 2026 from Hill Helicopters' Production Centre One. In this session, Jason Hill presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements.
Following the presentation, Jason Hill, Mischa Gelb, and Ruben Dias answered questions from the global community in an AMA session.
For those who missed the live stream, this is the full recording, offering an in-depth look at the current state of the HX50 and GT50 projects.
Discover more ► hillhelicopters.com
0:00 - Start
1:45 - Intro
4:50 - Summary
5:16 - GT50 Turbine
41:15 - Main Rotor
57:50 - Digital Cockpit
1:10:20 - AMA
1:14:10 - How is heat managed around the speed reduction gearbox?
1:15:17 - Can owners perform 100-hour inspections after build school?
1:16:15 - Will VHF radio channel spacing be selectable between 8.33kHz and 25kHz?
1:18:18 - What is the reasoning behind the 140-knot cruise speed and what is the predicted top speed?
1:21:55 - How is air penetration into the rotor head cover managed?
1:24:22 - Have you considered using cobalt for hard-wearing parts like transmission gears?
1:26:35 - Do the turbine blades require special coatings?
1:27:35 - Can the gearbox run without oil for 30 minutes?
1:28:41 - How many design iterations (test, measure, redesign) do you expect?
1:29:45 - What is the blade's effective hinge offset and delta-3 angle?
1:30:54 - Can you provide more detail on the combustor spray nozzles?
1:32:13 - Will the main rotor blade paint scheme be customizable?
1:33:34 - What is the timeline for the first engine run and first flight?
1:34:45 - What is the HX50's slope landing capability?
1:36:10 - Was the aerofoil designed using CFD or wind tunnel data?
1:37:15 - What is the approach to using commercial off-the-shelf tech (like Raspberry Pi) versus custom hardware?
1:39:00 - What are the backup systems if a primary display screen fails?
1:40:26 - How many orders do you have and what is the planned annual production volume?
1:42:42 - Are there any plans for voice command controls?
1:43:00 - What is the timeline for the HC50 (utility version)?
1:44:01 - Will there be audible altitude callouts for landing?
1:46:29 - How does the window de-misting system work?
1:47:00 - What is the progress on the main production factory?
1:47:55 - How do you maintain your energy and motivation for this project?
1:53:00 - Will premium non-leather interior options be available?
1:54:38 - What is the certification timeline for different regions (US, UK, EU, etc.)?
1:56:32 - When will maintenance training become available?
1:57:50 - Will there be a de-icing system for the blades?
1:58:26 - How are the helicopters delivered (assembled or kit)?
1:59:29 - How long does it take to fold the main rotor blades?
2:01:07 - Is the early bird discount still available?
2:02:40 - How many prototype engines will be ready by the first engine run?
2:05:05 - What is the training plan for new owners when deliveries begin?
2:07:52 - Is the certification and approval process on schedule?
2:08:29 - Is the GT50 a single-spool or two-spool turbine, and how is its responsiveness?
2:09:39 - How does the GT50's fuel efficiency compare to its competitors?
2:10:39 - What type of inlet air filter does the GT50 use?
2:11:04 - Would engine development have been faster by partnering with an existing manufacturer?
2:12:57 - Where will high-altitude and hot-weather flight testing take place?
2:13:40 - Are you considering advanced sensors like LiDAR for wire and obstacle detection?
2:15:40 - Who manufactures the FADEC and other key engine components?
2:16:02 - When can we expect the first engine run and first flight?
Welcome to the HX50 Update & AMA, streamed live on 25 February 2026 from Hill Helicopters' Production Centre One. In this session, Jason Hill presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements.
Following the presentation, Jason Hill, Mischa Gelb, and Ruben Dias answered questions from the global community in an AMA session.
For those who missed the live stream, this is the full recording, offering an in-depth look at the current state of the HX50 and GT50 projects.
Discover more ► hillhelicopters.com
0:00 - Start
1:45 - Intro
4:50 - Summary
5:16 - GT50 Turbine
41:15 - Main Rotor
57:50 - Digital Cockpit
1:10:20 - AMA
1:14:10 - How is heat managed around the speed reduction gearbox?
1:15:17 - Can owners perform 100-hour inspections after build school?
1:16:15 - Will VHF radio channel spacing be selectable between 8.33kHz and 25kHz?
1:18:18 - What is the reasoning behind the 140-knot cruise speed and what is the predicted top speed?
1:21:55 - How is air penetration into the rotor head cover managed?
1:24:22 - Have you considered using cobalt for hard-wearing parts like transmission gears?
1:26:35 - Do the turbine blades require special coatings?
1:27:35 - Can the gearbox run without oil for 30 minutes?
1:28:41 - How many design iterations (test, measure, redesign) do you expect?
1:29:45 - What is the blade's effective hinge offset and delta-3 angle?
1:30:54 - Can you provide more detail on the combustor spray nozzles?
1:32:13 - Will the main rotor blade paint scheme be customizable?
1:33:34 - What is the timeline for the first engine run and first flight?
1:34:45 - What is the HX50's slope landing capability?
1:36:10 - Was the aerofoil designed using CFD or wind tunnel data?
1:37:15 - What is the approach to using commercial off-the-shelf tech (like Raspberry Pi) versus custom hardware?
1:39:00 - What are the backup systems if a primary display screen fails?
1:40:26 - How many orders do you have and what is the planned annual production volume?
1:42:42 - Are there any plans for voice command controls?
1:43:00 - What is the timeline for the HC50 (utility version)?
1:44:01 - Will there be audible altitude callouts for landing?
1:46:29 - How does the window de-misting system work?
1:47:00 - What is the progress on the main production factory?
1:47:55 - How do you maintain your energy and motivation for this project?
1:53:00 - Will premium non-leather interior options be available?
1:54:38 - What is the certification timeline for different regions (US, UK, EU, etc.)?
1:56:32 - When will maintenance training become available?
1:57:50 - Will there be a de-icing system for the blades?
1:58:26 - How are the helicopters delivered (assembled or kit)?
1:59:29 - How long does it take to fold the main rotor blades?
2:01:07 - Is the early bird discount still available?
2:02:40 - How many prototype engines will be ready by the first engine run?
2:05:05 - What is the training plan for new owners when deliveries begin?
2:07:52 - Is the certification and approval process on schedule?
2:08:29 - Is the GT50 a single-spool or two-spool turbine, and how is its responsiveness?
2:09:39 - How does the GT50's fuel efficiency compare to its competitors?
2:10:39 - What type of inlet air filter does the GT50 use?
2:11:04 - Would engine development have been faster by partnering with an existing manufacturer?
2:12:57 - Where will high-altitude and hot-weather flight testing take place?
2:13:40 - Are you considering advanced sensors like LiDAR for wire and obstacle detection?
2:15:40 - Who manufactures the FADEC and other key engine components?
2:16:02 - When can we expect the first engine run and first flight?
