HILLER FH-1100

En mayo de 1961, el Hiller Modelo 1100 fue uno de los tres proyectos elegidos por el US Army para la evaluación de un helicóptero liviano de observación. Se enviaron cinco prototipos, designados OH-5 A; el primero voló en enero de 1963. El OH-5 A constaba de un motor Allison T63-A5 de 250shp y un rotor articulado con un sistema de estabilización similar el usado sobre el helicóptero comercial L4.

El contrato de producción fue obtenido por el Hughes OH-6 A, pero en 1964 Hiller, quien mientras tanto se transformó en una compañía afiliada de Fairchild Stratos, decide adaptar la aeronave para el mercado civil, al igual que Bell con su modelo 206. El Fairchild Hiller tuvo menos éxito que el 206, el cual tuvo pedidos bastante importantes del gobierno americano. Tampoco se lo podía aumentar de tamaño como lo hizo Bell con los modelo 204 y 205. Sin embargo el mercado civil se encontraba bastante receptivo para el modelo de Fairchild Hiller.

El fuselaje del FH 1100 constaba de dos secciones: una estructura semimonocoque al frente y un cono de cola en la parte trasera. El rotor principal semirígido constaba de dos palas y un rotor de cola también de dos palas, potenciado por una turbina Allison 250-C18.

Obtuvo el certificado tipo de la FAA en Julio de 1964 y las entregas comenzaron en junio de 1966. Se construyeron 240 ejemplares, siendo el operador mas grande la compañía Canadian Helicopters, de Okanagan, Canadá, con 30 ejemplares y la segunda el Departamento de Policía Tailandés con 16 aparatos. Se vendieron también a la Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Chipre, Ecuador, Panamá, Filipinas y El Salvador.

La producción finalizó en 1973, pero recientemente, Hiller Aviation (la cual se reconstituyó en una compañía privada en 1980) le compró los derechos a la Fairchild planeando construir dos ejemplares por mes en 1983, pero lamentablemente esto no se concretó. Este helicóptero se estaba ofreciendo en el mercado con un nuevo motor, el Allison 250-C20B de 420shp.

In May 1961, the Hiller Model 1100 was one of three projects chosen by the US Army for evaluation as a Light Observation Helicopter. Five prototypes were commissioned, designated OH-5A, the first of which flew in January 1963. The OH-5A had a 250shp Allison T63-A5 turbine and an articulated rotor, with a stabilization system similar to that used on the L4 commercial helicopter.

The LOH production contract was awarded to the Hughes OH-6A, but in 1964 Hiller, who in the meantime had become an affiliated company of Fairchild Stratos, decided to adapt their aircraft for the civil market, as Bell had done with the Model 206. The Fairchild Hiller was less successful than the Bell helicopter, which was ordered in substantial numbers by the American government. The authorities rejected it, as there was no possibility of increasing its size, as had been done with the Bell 204 / 205. However the civil market was still open to the Fairchild, as one of the requirements of the LOH specification was that the designs submitted should conform to civil aviation regulations.

The fuselage of the FH-1100 was in two sections: a semi-monocoque structure at the front and tail boom at the rear. It had a two-blade, semi-rigid main rotor and two-blade, anti-torque tail rotor, both of metal, and driven by an Allison 250-C18 turbine.

It received FAA civil type approval in July 1964 and deliveries began in June 1966. A total of 240 were built. The biggest user was the Canadian Helicopters company, Okanagan, which ordered 30 FH-1100, while the Royal Thai Police Department bought 16. Others were sold to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, Panama, the Philippines and El Salvador.

Production of the Fairchild-built version ended in 1973 but recently, Hiller Aviation (which was reconstituted as a private, independent company in 1980) bought back the rights to build the aircraft from Fairchild and there were plans to build two a month in 1983, although in the event this was not achieved. The helicopter, which has been offered on the market in an executive version at a competitive price, is now fitted with an Allison 250-C20B turbine. It is slightly heavier, but performance has been improved not only by the more powerful engine, but also by the use of new blades and a new K-Flex transmission. Although not a new machine, the American manufacturers hope to win back some of the private customers from the Bell JetRanger and the Hughes 500.

Characteristics Características	Information Información	Characteristics Características	Information Información
First Flight Primer Vuelo	1963	Engine Motor	1 Allison 250-C18B
Seating Capacity Plazas	1 / 3-4	Power Potencia	317 SHP T. Off 270 SHP Cont.
Empty Weight Peso Vacío	1415 Lb	Hover Ceiling O.G.E. Estacionario O.G.E	8400 Ft
Maximum Weight Peso Máximo	2750 Lb	Hover Ceiling I.G.E. Estacionario I.G.E	13400 Ft
Vel. Cruise Vel. crucero	106 Kts	Service Ceiling Techo de Servicio	14200 Ft
V.N.E. V.N.E	110 Kts	Maximum Range (Std) Alcance (Std)	374 NM
Dimensions / Dimensiones
Total Length Largo Total	28,79 ft 9,07 m	Main Rotor Diameter Diam. Rotor Principal	35,40 ft 10,79 m
Total Height Alto Total	9,29 ft 2,83 m	Tail Rotor Diameter Diam. Rotor de Cola	6,0 ft 1,83 m