Eurocopter’s latest experimental helicopter, a BK 117, successfully completed its maiden flight with an electrical flap control system on September 8.

The helicopter departed from Eurocopter’s facility at Donauwörth to test the new adaptive rotor system, which is designed to reduce noise levels caused by rotor blades.

“The now-tested demo system has yet to be miniaturised and optimised for commercial utilisation,” said Dr. Valentin Klöppel, aeromechanics and flight control programme manager at Eurocopter. “As the technology leader for bearingless rotor systems, we are currently integrating another, further improved flap type into a bearingless rotor of the latest generation.

“The technology will be generally applicable to all larger helicopters once all tests have been successfully concluded. This is likely to be in 2012 or beyond.”

The manufacturer states that cabin and component vibrations will also be ‘significantly reduced.’ The development programme for the rotor system is sponsored by the German Ministry of Economics and Labour.