Nowadays, the world of US aviation cannot be imagined without such light class representatives as helicopters and airplanes. Today, this small air transport is used in all areas of the modern economy and performs a variety of functions, such as policing, patrolling highways and pipelines for various purposes, conducting rescue and search operations, delivering goods, monitoring forests, fighting fires, and carrying out agricultural work. Light aircraft and helicopters have an incomparable advantage over other aviation representatives because of the ability to operate in remote and inaccessible areas and in regions with underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Small aircraft are also becoming more affordable for use in the private sector. Light aircraft and helicopters are increasingly used in the field of tourist transportation, in sports competitions and as personal vehicles.
Bell Model 30 - the first light US helicopter
The history of the creation of light helicopters in the United States began during the Second World War. In 1942, Bell engineers designed and built three copies of small helicopters, which were called Model 30. Such a light US helicopter had a closed fuselage, a chassis with a tail wheel, an open type cockpit, in the rear of which a motor installation was placed. The machine had a gyroscopic stabilizing device, which later became a feature of Bell. With its help, a rotor with two blades was controlled.
The first flight was completed on June 26, 1943 and ended in failure: the helicopter crashed. After this incident, engineers made design changes to the Bell Model 30. The second instance had a more advanced propeller and half-monocoque fuselage. The cab structure has undergone significant changes. Now it was closed and could accommodate two pilots. Also in the cockpit appeared doors similar to automobile ones.
The third model of a light helicopter Bell Model 30, unlike its predecessors, received a four-wheeled chassis, a cylindrical beam, an open type cockpit for one pilot and more modern equipment. The flight of this helicopter took place on April 25, 1945 and ended successfully. Based on the developments of Model 30, Bell created and subsequently began to produce light civilian Model 47 helicopters, the description of which is given below.
Bell Model 47 - the first light mass production helicopter
Bell Model 47 - the first light US helicopters to receive a certificate from the American Aeronautical Administration. These machines immediately gained popularity among institutions of various types. In 1947, Bell mastered the first military orders for such helicopters. In the U.S. Air Force Army, these helicopters received the designation YR-13, and in the Navy - HTL-1. Ground forces also massively purchased Bell Model 47 light helicopters.
In the wake of commercial success, the company's engineers immediately began to make constructive changes to improve the flight performance of the products, which increased the number of orders for civilian and military models. The latter was successfully used by the US Army to carry out activities to evacuate the wounded in the Korean military conflict. For the first time light helicopters were used as military during search and rescue operations. They were also involved in providing communications between combat units in armed conflicts.
Bell Model 47 became the first model of a light helicopter in the world, which turned out to be truly successful. It was produced in more than thirty versions and had various types of cabs and fuselage. Also, light US helicopters Bell Model 47 had the ability to use several types of power plants. Their assembly was carried out in Europe and Asia. In the entire history of its existence, more than five thousand such helicopters have been released.
Robinson R22 - Leader Among US Light Helicopters
In 1973, Frank Robinson, the head of Robinson Helicopter Company, set his designers a task: to create a light two-seater helicopter, the cost of production and operation of which would be lower in comparison with similar competitors.
The first prototype of such a small helicopter of a new type was designated R22. It was created in the hangar. The frame of this machine was made of steel trusses and sheathed with metal and composite panels. Robinson R22 had a closed cabin for two people, a skid gear and two two-bladed propellers: the main and the tail.
The helicopter of this model successfully took off on August 28, 1975, and in 1979 the first manufactured vehicles went to their customers. Since the release of the initial Robinson modification, the company's engineers have continuously worked to improve the performance of the helicopter. That is why such a light helicopter is produced today.
In addition to a variety of civilian versions, a special model was developed for law enforcement agencies. It is called the R22 Police and is equipped with a xenon spotlight, siren, loudspeaker and other special devices. Also, this Robinson model has the ability to use the water surface as a take-off area.
Light helicopter R22 is by far the best-selling machine of its class. It is he who holds all the world records among small helicopters, including in speed, altitude and flight range.
U.S. Army Light Helicopters
Light helicopters from the moment of their appearance have always been the object of close attention of the US military. After all, they possess such unique qualities as versatility, maneuverability, ease of control and quick pilot training. Small helicopters successfully replace heavy vehicles during search and rescue operations in military conditions, providing intelligence operations, and delivering goods for various purposes.
Below will be considered some light combat helicopters of the US Army.
Light combat helicopter MD 530MG Defender
Engineers and designers of the company McDonnell Douglas, which is the flagship of American aviation, designed the small helicopter 530MG Defender. This light attack helicopter is one of the brightest representatives of combat vehicles of this class.
MD 530MG Defender successfully copes with the tasks of a medical helicopter, can carry passengers in the amount of up to seven people and transport cargo weighing up to 900 kilograms. Its main military functions are reconnaissance and destruction of enemy armored vehicles. To perform combat missions, this light helicopter is equipped with
anti-tank guided missiles, six-barreled machine guns M-134 and other weapons.
Light helicopter Boeing AN-6 - a novelty in the US Army
AN-6 is the latest development in the field of light attack helicopters in the United States. This machine was created on the basis of the Hughes Helicopter model 369 helicopter, which was developed in the 1960s.
The AN-6 helicopter is equipped with the latest power unit and modern avionics, the permissible payload is increased. Helicopter can be equipped with a machine gun, an automatic cannon, two types of missiles: laser-guided and air-ground. Also on the Boeing AN-6 is installed and other modern equipment, which increases the level of security and service in combat conditions.
U.S. light aircraft
In the United States, light aircraft also gained great popularity. In America, there are many companies that offer customers a variety of small liners: from simple single-engine to business jet engines.
Light aircraft and helicopters perform a variety of tasks and are indispensable assistants in the civilian and military spheres. Small liners are widely used in the private and corporate sectors. The most recognizable and massive brands in light aircraft are Adam, Cessna, Bombardier and others.
Conclusion
Nowadays, light aviation is becoming increasingly popular, because its representatives are universal assistants in various industries. Possessing a low indicator of operating costs and excellent maneuverability, modern light aircraft and helicopters successfully replace their heavy counterparts, which do not differ in high performance indicators in performing a certain number of tasks. Today, anyone can become the owner or pilot of a small modern aircraft.