The Westland 30 is a medium-sized civil helicopter designed and produced by the British aerospace company Westland Helicopters. It was derived from the Westland Lynx series of military helicopters, with which it retains a high level of commonality.
The Westland 30 was developed during the late 1970s and early 1980s primarily as a foray into the civilian market. The company sought to expand its presence in that sector, leveraging its existing portfolio to do so; the Lynx shared its dynamic system and other components with the Westland 30, but the latter featured an original airframe to accommodate a sizable passenger compartment. Westland believed that the Westland 30 could be an attractive to operators of air ferry and offshore drilling flights it was also intended for use as in a military capacity akin to the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. It was initially self-financed by the company, although support from the British government was later forthcoming. It had been estimated that there was a worldwide market for around 400 Westland 30s.
On 10 April 1979, the prototype WG30 conducted its maiden flight. Later that same year, it was put on public display at the Paris Air Show. During 1981, production of the first model, the Westland 30-100, commenced. The type received type certification from the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) during December 1981 American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification followed in December 1982. Development of the type continued beyond the Westland 30-100 in 1983, the 30-200, powered by a pair of General Electric CT7-2B turboshaft engines, made its first flight, and the 30-160, which was outfitted with uprated Gem engines, was first flown in 1984. Further models were proposed. However, production of the type was discontinued in 1988, Westland themselves concluding it to have been a commercial disappointment.
Acknowledgment and thanks to Leonardo Helicopters, UK.
29 сен 2024
