The second flight of the prototype Airlander 10 being developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) ended with what the company is calling a “heavy landing” at Cardington Airfield, near Bedford, England after an otherwise successful flight of 100 minutes.
The company reports that the front of the flight deck has sustained some damage which is currently being assessed. Both pilots and the ground crew are safe and well, and the aircraft is secured and stable at its normal mooring location.
The incident follows a successful 15-minute first flight on 17th August. Chief Test Pilot David Burns, accompanied by Test Pilot Simon Davies, flew the craft within a 6 mile (5 nautical mile) area around Cardington Airfield. Airlander climbed to a height of 500ft and reached a maximum speed of 35 knots.
All test objectives were met during the initial flight. These included the safe launch, flight and landing of the Airlander 10 and a series of gentle turns at increasing speed. Some technical tests on its hull pressure were also undertaken. The flight test programme is expected to last for several months. After this, the aircraft will begin a series of trials and demonstrations with prospective customers. The company reports increasing customer interest, particularly in the defence and security sector.
Founded in 2007, HAV is seeking to combine the best of the characteristics of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters with lighter-than-air technology to create a new breed of hyper-efficient aircraft, with a significantly lower carbon footprint and operating cost than other forms of air transport. Airlander 10 is designed to stay airborne for up to five days. It can take off and land in a short distance from unprepared sites in desert, ice, water, or open field environments.
The Airlander is based on a concept originally developed for a US Army programme for which HAV was selected in partnership with Northrop Grumman. A technology demonstrator flew in the U.S. but the project was cancelled in 2013.
HAV has received £6m of UK government grants to date and is also looking to raise equity through High Net Worth individuals and Institutional Investors to fund some aspects of the Flight Test Programme. The company has carried out two ‘crowdfunding’ rounds and now has more than 2000 shareholders. The project has also secured €2.5 million in funding from the EU's research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.