Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
On July 20th at 3:51am, Hill Helicopters started their own turbine engine for the very first time — I watched it live. This is the GT50 first engine run, and it changes everything for the HX50 program.
Nobody builds their own engine. It's too hard, too expensive, too risky — so every aircraft manufacturer buys one off the shelf. Hill didn't. In this video I break down what the GT50 first run actually means, why it de-risks the entire HX50 and HC50 program, and what it was like to watch it fired for the first time.
I've flown helicopters for 22 years and ordered one of these aircraft myself before this engine had ever turned. So this one's personal.
🚁 CURRENT OFFERS + THE FIRST RUN SERIES
Hill is running the AMA right now on the Hill Helicopters YouTube channel, and there's a First Run Series offer open for orders placed during this window. If you've ever thought about owning an HX50, this is the moment to look:
👉 hillhelicopters.com/raisingthestandard
📺 WATCH HILL DIRECTLY
Catch the full AMA, the official engine run footage, and every development update on Hill's own channel:
👉 youtube.com/@HillHelicopters
🔔 If you're following the HX50 story, subscribe — I'm documenting this whole journey from the inside as a Hill owner and pilot.
💬 Were you watching the AMA live? Tell me your reaction in the comments — I'm reading every one.
—
About Pilot Yellow: aviation, helicopters, and the road to owning an HX50, from a 20-year commercial pilot and instructor.
#HillHelicopters #HX50 #GT50 #Helicopter #Aviation #FirstEngineRun #TurbineEngine #GeneralAviation #Avgeek #PilotYellow #HX50 #HelicopterPilot #AvGeek #FutureOfFlight
On July 20th at 3:51am, Hill Helicopters started their own turbine engine for the very first time — I watched it live. This is the GT50 first engine run, and it changes everything for the HX50 program.
Nobody builds their own engine. It's too hard, too expensive, too risky — so every aircraft manufacturer buys one off the shelf. Hill didn't. In this video I break down what the GT50 first run actually means, why it de-risks the entire HX50 and HC50 program, and what it was like to watch it fired for the first time.
I've flown helicopters for 22 years and ordered one of these aircraft myself before this engine had ever turned. So this one's personal.
🚁 CURRENT OFFERS + THE FIRST RUN SERIES
Hill is running the AMA right now on the Hill Helicopters YouTube channel, and there's a First Run Series offer open for orders placed during this window. If you've ever thought about owning an HX50, this is the moment to look:
👉 hillhelicopters.com/raisingthestandard
📺 WATCH HILL DIRECTLY
Catch the full AMA, the official engine run footage, and every development update on Hill's own channel:
👉 youtube.com/@HillHelicopters
🔔 If you're following the HX50 story, subscribe — I'm documenting this whole journey from the inside as a Hill owner and pilot.
💬 Were you watching the AMA live? Tell me your reaction in the comments — I'm reading every one.
—
About Pilot Yellow: aviation, helicopters, and the road to owning an HX50, from a 20-year commercial pilot and instructor.
#HillHelicopters #HX50 #GT50 #Helicopter #Aviation #FirstEngineRun #TurbineEngine #GeneralAviation #Avgeek #PilotYellow #HX50 #HelicopterPilot #AvGeek #FutureOfFlight
