An "all-electric" helicopter could be offered on the market in 2004, according to UK flight control and systems specialist FHL. The company is a member of the UK's government-supported HEAT (Helicopter Electric Actuation Technology) consortium, and is developing an experimental electric actuation system for the GKN Westland EH 101.

FHL estimates that electromechanical actuation could save 550 lb on a helicopter the size of EH101. The components being developed under the current program are form, fit and function replacements for the hydraulic actuators used today, and are expected to be cheaper to produce and to maintain.

FHL is part of th Claverham Group, which was formed after the acquisition of Fairey Hydraulics in 1998.

By Bill Sweetmaen