| Role | Helicopter |
|---|---|
| National origin | New Zealand |
| Manufacturer | Auroa Helicopters Limited |
| First flight | 2011 |
| Introduction | 2013 |
| Status | In production (2015) |
The Auroa Helicopters Auroa is a New Zealand helicopter designed and produced by Auroa Helicopters Limited of Manaia, Taranaki, introduced in 2013. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]
The Auroa was designed to comply with the New Zealand and European Class 6 microlight helicopter rules. It features a single main rotor and tail rotor, a two-seats-in side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit with a windshield, skid landing gear and a 160 hp (119 kW) Solar T62 turbine engine.[1]
The aircraft fuselage is made from a combination of metal tubing and composites. Its two-bladed rotor has a diameter of 6 m (19.7 ft). The tail rotor has four blades and a protective ring. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 310 kg (683 lb) and a gross weight of 600 kg (1,323 lb) (544 kg (1,199 lb) for the microlight class), giving a useful load of 290 kg (639 lb) (234 kg (516 lb) for the microlight class).[1]
Reviewer Werner Pfaendler, describes the design as "elegant".[1]
First flown in 2011, the three prototypes accumulated 130 flying hours by the end of that year.[2]
Data from Tacke and manufacturer[1][3]
General characteristics
Performance