Singapore-based Aeroter has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Swedish company Savback Helicopters AB to distribute and sell its innovative VRT500 light, single-engine helicopter. From its headquarters in Sweden, Savback will also cover sales representation of the aircraft in Norway, Denmark and Finland.
The co-axial format VRT500 helicopter is on display at the Dubai Airshow, which is being held during November 14-18, at Dubai World Central Airport.
The co-axial-rotor format of Aeroter’s VRT500 has long been favoured in a number of successful aircraft designs and its two sets of counter-rotating blades on a single mast removes the requirement for a tail rotor. It also provides opportunities to land in a smaller area, owing to the lack of tail and tail boom.
Test flying of the VRT500 prototype will begin in 2022 in Italy in conjunction with Vertex Aero srl. The location of the final production line is to be determined from a shortlist currently under consideration.
Powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW207V engine, the aircraft has been designed to reach speeds of up to 250 km (155 mph) with a range of up to 900 km (559 miles) and a payload of up to 800 kg (1,763 lb).
The VRT500 will feature new-generation avionics from Thales.