BRENDAN SOBIE / TAIPEI
Ministry aims to create small-aircraft manufacturing industry as Eagle 600 enters testing
Taiwan has begun flight testing an indigenous light civilian helicopter as part of a government programme to expand into the sport aviation sector.
The Eagle 600, developed by Taiwan's Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST), hovered for 10min on 3 August. The 810kg (1,775lb) two-seat helicopter made its public debut at the Taipei Aerospace Technology Exhibition (TATE) on 14-15 August.Project manager Gene Ho says the government is seeking launch orders at $170,000 an aircraft and wants to find a local company to take over the project.
Taiwan's ministry of economic affairs (MOEA) funded the project, which began in 2001. MOEA aims to create a small-aircraft manufacturing industry, estimating a market in Taiwan for 5,000 private aircraft sales that could grow exponentially if the general aviation market in mainland China is accessible.
"We believe general aviation is a potential market and the entrance barrier to general aviation is much lower," says David Chu, director of MOEA's committee for aviation and space industry development (CASID).
CASID already holds stakes in three general aviation manufacturers - Ibis Aerospace, Tiger Aircraft and Sino Swearingen. "Now we have a new field we want to develop - sports," Chu says.
The Eagle 600 is the first helicopter to be designed, manufactured, assembled and flight tested in Taiwan, although the country's Light's American Sportscopter produces kits for one- and two-seat ultralight helicopters, primarily for the US market. Sportscopter, which has sold over 200 kits, is participating in the Eagle 600.
CSIST's aeronautical systems research division plans to complete a 20h flight-test programme by year-end. The agency will then seek Taiwanese and possibly US certification.
The aircraft flew at 30kt (55km/h) during its maiden flight, but is designed to fly at 100kt and cruise at 80kt. Powered by a Lycoming HO-360-C1A piston engine, the Eagle 600 can climb at over 1,000ft/m (5m/s) to a maximum altitude of 14,000ft (4,270m).
Ho believes there is a domestic market for the Eagle 600 if Taiwanese restrictions banning private aircraft operations are lifted. Sales to private pilots in Taiwan and abroad are envisaged, with potential non-civilian applications for patrol, photography, surveillance and training missions.
Source: Flight International
