In this episode, Max visits Skyryse, a Southern California-based startup. Its Skyryse One helicopter, has a revolutionary cockpit configuration that eliminates traditional controls such as the cyclic, collective, and pedals. Instead, it features a single centrally mounted control stick and two touchscreen displays, all powered by a triply redundant fly-by-wire flight control system and the company’s proprietary SkyOS.
The Skyryse One is half the cost of the cheapest IFR-certified helicopters, significantly enhancing safety in the helicopter industry. The aircraft is priced at $1.8 million, higher than the standard Robinson R66 that its based upon, but Skyryse believes the increased safety and capability will justify the premium cost for private pilots and commercial operators.
The company aims to certify the Skyryse One by 2025 and it plans to offer the system in other helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The podcast includes a detailed discussion and demonstration of the Skyryse simulator, highlighting the intuitive controls and dynamic flight protection features that make flying easier and safer.
Skyryse’s cockpit system, including SkyOS, represents a significant advancement in helicopter technology, comparable to the impact of the glass cockpit in aviation. The new system simplifies helicopter flight to such an extent that it could democratize helicopter piloting, making it safer and more accessible. Skyryse also plans to deploy its system in various aircraft, not just helicopters.
For those interested in experiencing the Skyryse system firsthand, Skyryse will have a simulator at Oshkosh next week. In the podcast, the Max shares his experience in the Skyryse simulator, guided by Ray Wert, Skyryse’s VP of Sales and a former V-22 Osprey pilot.
The host begins the simulation on runway 28 in Camarillo, where the helicopter’s rotors are already turning. Wert explains the primary flight display (PFD), synthetic vision, and various other cockpit elements, including the small engine stack and compass. The simulator features realistic software, closely mirroring what will be used in actual Skyryse One helicopters.
The cockpit has a single control stick that replaces the collective and cyclic controls. This stick allows for intuitive maneuvers, including forward, aft, left, and right movements, as well as pedal turns, which are executed by twisting the stick. Notably, the helicopter lacks traditional pedals, making the cockpit configuration unique and simplifying the piloting process.
Max is impressed by the ease of flying with the Skyryse system. In the simulator, he demonstrates a pedal turn by twisting the control stick to the right, observing a constant rate of turn. Wert highlights how the system manages to stabilize the helicopter even with tailwind fluctuations, reducing the pilot’s workload and enhancing safety.
The Skyryse system includes dynamic flight protection, which acts as a safety belt to prevent out-of-control flight scenarios. For example, the system keeps the helicopter out of vortex ring state by limiting the rate of descent when the collective is bottomed out at zero knots. This protection ensures that the aircraft doesn’t enter dangerous flight profiles, enhancing safety during critical phases of flight.
The simulator also showcases various ways to interact with SkyOS, including inputting specific flight parameters such as speed, altitude, and heading. The system can maintain these parameters without autopilot, managing the helicopter’s flight profile based on air data, weather, and other inputs.
The episode emphasizes the intuitive nature of the Skyryse system, making helicopter flight more accessible and safer. Max notes the reduced task saturation and the ability to focus on other critical aspects of flying, thanks to the system’s automation and intelligent management of flight controls.
Overall, the Skyryse One and its innovative cockpit system represent a significant advancement in helicopter technology, with the potential to transform the industry by making helicopter flight safer, more accessible, and more efficient. The episode provides an in-depth look at the capabilities and benefits of the Skyryse One, highlighting its potential to be a game-changer in aviation.
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