Fairchild Hiller FH-1100

Infobox Aircraft
name= FH-1100


caption= YOH-5A LOH
type= Helicopter
manufacturer= Fairchild Hiller
designer=
first flight= 21 January 1963
introduced= 1966
retired=
status= Currently in use
primary user= Okanagan Helicopters
more users= Royal Thai Police
produced= 1966-1973
number built= 253
developed from =
variants with their own articles=

The Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 is a single-engine, single two-bladed rotor, light helicopter which began as a design entry into United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program. The Hiller Model 1100 was not selected but after Hiller Aircraft was purchased by Fairchild Stratos in 1964, the Model 1100 was successful marketed as a civilian helicopter, the FH-1100.

Development

Light Observation Helicopter (LOH)

In October 1960, the Army submitted a request for proposals (RFP) for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Hiller Aircraft (Hiller), along with 12 other manufacturers, including Bell Helicopter (Bell) and Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division (Hughes), entered the competition, [cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5JRs1SFaO|title=The Cessna CH-1 Helicopter|author=Steve Remington|publisher= [http://www.collectair.com CollectAir] |work=|date=] submitting their designs to a Navy team for evaluation. Hiller submitted the Model 1100, which was recommended by the Navy team and eventually selected as one of three winners of the design competition by the Army in May 1961. [cite paper|title=George A. Spangenberg Oral History|author=George A. Spangenberg|editor=Judith Spangenberg-Currier] The Army designated the Model 1100 design as the YHO-5.cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5J1lvgxQH|title=U.S Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs|work=Uncommon Aircraft 2006|author=Robert Beechy|date=2005-11-18] [cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/rotary-desig.htm|title=Rotary Aircraft Designation Crosswalk|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org]

Detailed design work began in November 1961, and the Model 1100 prototype made its maiden flight on 21 January 1963. Hiller produced a total of 5 copies of the Model 1100 to submit to the Army for the Test and Evaluation phase at Camp Rucker, Alabama in 1963. After the test and evaluation, the Bell YOH-4 was eliminated, and Hiller and Hughes competed in a program cost analysis bid for the contract. In 1965, Hiller was underbid by Hughes and the Army selected Hughes' YOH-6. Although Hiller formally protested, Hughes was awarded a production contract for the OH-6 Cayuse. [cite book |last=Harding |first=Stephen |title=U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947 |year=1997 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing Ltd. |location=Atglen, PA, USA |isbn=96-69996 |pages=148 ]

Operational history

In 1967, when the Army reopened the LOH competition for bids because Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division couldn't meet the contractual production demands.Fact|date=February 2007 Fairchild-Hiller failed to resubmit their bid with the YOH-5A, instead choosing to continue with commercial marketing of their civilian version, the FH-1100. [cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5JNrx2yIy|title=US and Russian Helicopter Development In the 20th Century|author=Michael J. Hirschberg and David K. Daley|date=2000-07-07]

The FH-1100 was produced until 1973. In 2000, the Type Certificate was purchased by FH1100 Manufacturing Corporation. FH1100 Manufacturing conducts remanufacturing and training but has not received a production certificate for the FH-1100, which it now calls the "FHoenix".

Variants

;FH-1100: Five-seat utility transport helicopter.

;RH-1100A Pegasus: Updated civil version, built and marketed by Rogerson Hiller Helicopters.

;RH-1100M: Updated military version, built and marketed by Rogerson Hiller Helicopters.

Former operators

;ARG;BRA:Forca Aeronaval de Marinha do Brazil (1968-1976) - 6 aircraft [cite web|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/brazil/brz.html|title=World Air Forces - Historical Listings: Brazil ;(BRZ)|accessdate=2007-04-21] as "H-5" [cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/brazil.html|title=Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations|author=Andreas Parsch|accessdate=2007-04-21] ;CAN:Okanagan Helicopters - 30 aircraft;CHI;CYP;ECU;ESA:Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena - 1 aircraft [cite web|url=http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj98/sum98/corum.html|title=The Air War in El Salvador|author=Dr. James S. Corum|work=Airpower Journal|date=Summer 1998|accessdate=2007-04-21] ;PAN
*Panamanian Air Force - 3 aircraft (1969);PHI;USA:General Services Administration:Nassau County Police Department:California Highway Patrol:Louisiana State Police:New Jersey State Police:Virginia State Police:Columbus, Georgia municipal police department:Baltimore City Police Department:Puerto Rico;THA:Royal Thai Police - 16 aircraft

pecifications (FH-1100)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop
reference={FAA.gov} [cite web|url=http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/717ccd26fab0c05b8625721e00787ee1/$FILE/H2WE.pdf|title=Type Certificate Data Sheet No. H2WE, Revision 9|accessdate=2007-04-17]

crew=1 or 2 pilots
capacity= 860 lbs or 2-3 passengers.
span main=35ft 5in
span alt=10.8m
length main=29ft 10in
length alt=9.08m
height main=9ft 4in
height alt=2.83m
empty weight main=
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main= 2,530 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 1,147 kg
more general=
*Fuel capacity: 69 gal (261 l)
engine (prop)=Allison 250-C10
type of prop=turboshaft
number of props=1
power main=317 shp
power alt=236 kW
max speed main=110 knots
max speed alt= 127 mph, 222 km/h
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
range main=430 mi
range alt=692 km
ceiling main=21,489ft
ceiling alt=6,550m
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
armament=

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=
* Bell YOH-4
* OH-6 Cayuse
* Bell 206
* MD Helicopters MD 500
lists=
see also=

References

;Notes

;Bibliography
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External links

* [http://www.naval.com.br/ANB/ANB-aeronaves/Fairchild_Hiller/Fairchild_Hiller.htm Aviação Naval Brasileira - Fairchild Hiller FH-1100]
* [http://www.fh1100.com FH1100 Manufacturing] , current Type Certificate holder.