Recent Brantly Corp News

[mechanic]

Kyle Hardman Named President Of Brantly International Helicopters

 

Helicopter Industry Veteran To Lead The Reintroduction Of The Brantly B-2B Light Helicopter

 

Coppell, TX, Dec. 21, 2010 — Representatives of Brantly International announced today that helicopter industry veteran Kyle B. Hardman has joined the company as its new president.

 

"We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Hardman join Brantly International," said Cheng Shenzong, Chairman of the Qindao Brantly Investment Group, owners of Brantly International. "His depth of experience as a program leader and helicopter engineer will be invaluable in guiding our efforts to bring the Brantly B-2B light helicopter back into production."

 

"I can't begin to express my excitement about this opportunity and the gratitude for the trust they have shown in me to take this project forward," Hardman said. "I guess you can say helicopters are in my blood. My father was with Bell for 36 years. I grew up across the street from the factory."

 

"People have forgotten what an incredible machine the Brantly B-2B is. At the height of its production, the company built one-half of the civilian helicopters manufactured in the U.S.," he added. "Being able to start the program with a proven design like the B-2B and improve it with today's computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques is going to help us make a great helicopter even better."

 

Hardman stated that the company is currently in the process of selecting a location for its new factory and is looking at sites in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as well as in other states.

 

"After the building is completed, state-of-the-art production tooling and equipment will be installed and the training, production and re-certification process will begin with the FAA," he said. "With its mix of performance and low operating costs, I think the market is going to be very happy to see the B-2B back in production."

 

Prior to joining Brantly, Hardman was a Principal Engineer with Bell Helicopter Textron in Fort Worth, Texas. Before that he was Lead Engineer Senior with Vought Aircraft. Hardman is an aircraft owner with single- and multi-engine land, seaplane and glider ratings. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree.

 

They are going to update the B2B and bring it back to market, they claim!!!!

 

Heck, maybe China should buy the FH1100 type certificate and update it and bring it back into production to compete with the new R66 since Bell dropped the 206III??

[adam32]

 

Heck, maybe China should buy the FH1100 type certificate and update it and bring it back into production to compete with the new R66 since Bell dropped the 206III??

 

If they used the SL rotor system instead of the Fh1100 one then it'd be ever better!!

[mechanic]

 

Adam32,

I've read through the FAA Hiller type cert's, I don't see a SL version listed. If it was a prototype where can someone look at the spec's? Both are without a flybar.

 

Looking at the above photos, looks to me that the FH1100 is better built.

 

Disclaimer: I am not an A&P...

[adam32]

 

 

Adam32,

I've read through the FAA Hiller type cert's, I don't see a SL version listed. If it was a prototype where can someone look at the spec's? Both are without a flybar.

 

Looking at the above photos, looks to me that the FH1100 is better built.

 

Disclaimer: I am not an A&P...

 

I don't think they ever recieved a type cert. I know of one Soloy E with the SL system that just recently got approved after 7+ years of trying.

 

Yep no paddles on either of them, but the SL system is suppose to be waaay better then the FH1100 system. I'm not sure what the differences are...I'll find out next week.

 

Side note...good looking FH1100 on eBay right now...

[crashed_05]

 

Adam32,

I've read through the FAA Hiller type cert's, I don't see a SL version listed. If it was a prototype where can someone look at the spec's? Both are without a flybar.

 

Looking at the above photos, looks to me that the FH1100 is better built.

 

Disclaimer: I am not an A&P...

That FH1100 appears to have a hell of a blade twist on the tail rotor.

[adam32]

That FH1100 appears to have a hell of a blade twist on the tail rotor.

 

Looks like the left peddle is pushed in a little...

[Goldy]

"Prior to joining Brantly, Hardman was a Principal Engineer with Bell Helicopter Textron in Fort Worth, Texas. Before that he was Lead Engineer Senior with Vought Aircraft. Hardman is an aircraft owner with single- and multi-engine land, seaplane and glider ratings. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree."

 

 

Ok, I hate to be picky, but this guy grew up across from the Bell factory, his father worked there 36 years, he has been in aviation all his life, helicopters are in his blood and he is now running a helicopter company and he flies gliders and planks and doesnt have a helicopter cert?

 

Nah forget it, its just me.

Edited December 27, 2010 by Goldy

[500E]

Goldy

Standard for engineers I have found, not many in UK who fly, worrisome don't you think

[Goldy]

Goldy

Standard for engineers I have found, not many in UK who fly, worrisome don't you think

 

Maybe the guys with the sliderules know something they are not telling us?

 

Honestly, I wish Brantly well, I'd love to see another manufacturer succeeding and hiring people in the US. However, I think it would be a good PR move for the president to get his rotorcraft certificate add-on....maybe he should go get it in a Brantly!

Edited December 27, 2010 by Goldy

[adam32]

Maybe the guys with the sliderules know something they are not telling us?

 

Honestly, I wish Brantly well, I'd love to see another manufacturer succeeding and hiring people in the US. However, I think it would be a good PR move for the president to get his rotorcraft certificate add-on....maybe he should go get it in a Brantly!

 

You do bring up an interesting question, I wonder if the Presidents of MD, Bell, Robinson, Eurocopter, Sikorsky etc... are pilots themselves?

[Scarab]

Frank Robinson is.

[Goldy]

You do bring up an interesting question, I wonder if the Presidents of MD, Bell, Robinson, Eurocopter, Sikorsky etc... are pilots themselves?

 

Lynn Tilton owns MD, she isnt a pilot.

Marc Paganini runs Eurocopter, I dont think he is a pilot.

Frank has been a pilot for years, but last I heard, he doesnt fly solo anymore.

Richard J. Millman runs Bell, his bio doesnt indicate he flies.

Jeff Pino runs Sikorsky and was an Army Aviator with an extensive background.

 

Difference is, most of these are huge corporations, being a pilot doesnt seem quite so necessary when you have 50 layers of management under you. But for a small operation, like Brantly is, I think it could make a difference in the decisions you make, the options you offer, knowing the strenghts and weaknesses of the ship.

[adam32]

Lynn Tilton owns MD, she isnt a pilot.

Marc Paganini runs Eurocopter, I dont think he is a pilot.

Frank has been a pilot for years, but last I heard, he doesnt fly solo anymore.

Richard J. Millman runs Bell, his bio doesnt indicate he flies.

Jeff Pino runs Sikorsky and was an Army Aviator with an extensive background.

 

Difference is, most of these are huge corporations, being a pilot doesnt seem quite so necessary when you have 50 layers of management under you. But for a small operation, like Brantly is, I think it could make a difference in the decisions you make, the options you offer, knowing the strenghts and weaknesses of the ship.

 

Hmmm, interesting! I was just curious since I'd never thought about it before...