Background
The VRT500, made by VR-Technologies, is a lightweight helicopter with room for five passengers. It has a top speed of 225 km/h and can travel up to 860 km. It comes in different versions for various purposes. In July 2021, Russian Helicopters sold half of BP-Technologies LLC to a new company in Singapore called AEROTER PTE LTD.
Single-Engine Helicopter
A new helicopter model called VRT 500 was announced in 2007 and displayed in 2017. The aim was to capture 15% of a specific market by selling 700 helicopters by 2030, with plans to sell 1,000 units by 2035.
In August 2019, a Malaysian company ordered five VRT 500s, and at a later air show, a holding company from Abu Dhabi said it would buy half of VR-Technologies. The helicopter was to be made in Italy near Rome and aimed for certification for firefighting and aerial work. The project was estimated to cost €400 million ($440 million) with plans for the first flight in 2020 and certification in 2022. They planned to use a hybrid propulsion system from 2023 to meet regulations in some cities.
The VRT 500 is a single-engine helicopter with twin three-blade rotors. It was likely to use a Safran Arrius engine and had carbon fiber blades to reduce noise. It had various configurations for different purposes like passenger transport, cargo, VIP travel, and medical evacuation. It could carry up to six passengers or 730 kg of payload, with a top speed of 250 km/h and a range of 860 km.
Specifications
- Capacity: Up to six passengers
- Payload: 730 kg
- Maximum take-off weight: 1,600 kg
- Cruise speed: 230 km/h
- Max speed: 250 km/h
- Service ceiling: 6,100 m
- Range: 860 km
- Width: 8.09 m
- Height: 3.77 m
Reflections
November 21, 2021 Savback Helicopters AB and Aeroter Pte Ltd signed an exclusive 5-year sales deal at Dubai Airshow 2021 for the distribution and sales of the VRT500 helicopter, designed by BP-Technologies and now under Aeroter’s ownership. This partnership saw Savback becoming the sole distributor in the Scandinavian market of Aeroter’s innovative single-engine helicopter, marking a significant collaboration in the aviation industry.
