SkyHook JHL-40

Infobox Aircraft
name = SkyHook JHL-40



type = Heavy lifter
national origin = Canada, United States
manufacturer = Boeing
status = In developmentThe SkyHook JHL-40 is a hybrid airship/helicopter currently in development. On July 9, 2008, Boeing announced that it had teamed up with SkyHook International, a Canadian company, to develop this aircraft.http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/11/skyhook_jhl_40_boeing/] [http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN0827658920080709 Boeing, SkyHook team up to launch heavy-lift blimp | Special Coverage | Reuters ] ] [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-9986757-76.html?hhTest=1 Boeing touts heli-blimp for heavy lifting | News - Cutting Edge - CNET News.com ] ]

According to company spokepeople, the aircraft will combine the best features of a blimp and a helicopter, and will be capable of carrying a 40 ton load up to 200 miles without refueling. At 302 feet long, it will classify as the largest helicopter in the world, and will be capable of flying up to 800 miles without a load. [http://www.aviation.com/technology/080709-boeing-skyhook-jhl-40.html Boeing Building Biggest Helicopter Ever | Aviation ] ] The craft will use helium to provide enough lift to carry its own weight, and will use four helicopter rotors to lift the load and to propel the aircraft. By using both helium and helicopter rotors, the aircraft can avoid having to jettison helium after unloading.

In comparison, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter can carry a load the same distance, but can only lift a maximum of 10 tons.

SkyHook claims that the aircraft will provide environmental benefits over traditional methods of delivering heavy loads, as it will require less fuel than a helicopter and will not require building big roads for construction equipment.

The JHL-40, or Jess Heavy Lifter, is named after Pete Jess, the President and Chief operating officer of SkyHook International, the company that owns the patent for the aircraft.

The planned aircraft has yet to be certified by Transport Canada and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

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*Piasecki PA-97
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References

External Links

* [http://skyhookinternational.com/ SkyHook International]
* [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080708c_nr.html Boeing news release]