74-467: The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters ) EC120 Colibri (" hummingbird ") is a five-seat, single-engine, light utility helicopter . Jointly designed and developed by Eurocopter , China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation ( CATIC ), Harbin Aviation Industries (Group) Ltd (HAIG) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (STAero) at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility,
148-516: A Stylence interior, offering a luxurious interior with leather upholstery , in-flight office and telecommunications facilities, along with reduced noise and vibration levels via additional insulation. The first EC120B was delivered in 1998. By 2008, Eurocopter had already delivered more than 550 Colibris to various customers. In 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) selected
222-589: A museum drawer in Stuttgart ; they had been unearthed in a clay pit at Wiesloch –Frauenweiler, south of Heidelberg , Germany , and, because hummingbirds were assumed to have never occurred outside the Americas, were not recognized to be hummingbirds until Mayr took a closer look at them. Fossils of birds not clearly assignable to either hummingbirds or a related extinct family, the Jungornithidae, have been found at
296-685: A H120 Technology demonstrator equipped with a HIPE AE440 high-compression aircraft diesel engine , running on jet fuel , first flew on 6 November 2015. It aimed to reduce pollutant emissions and increase fuel efficiency , nearly double the range and enhance operations in hot and high conditions. The powerplant trialed was a liquid-cooled , dry sump lubricated 4.6-liter 90° V8 engine with an 1,800-bar (26,000 psi) common rail direct injection, fully machined aluminum blocks, titanium connecting rods, steel pistons and liners, one turbocharger per cylinder bank. With an air-to-air intercooler , it weighed 197 kilograms (434 lb) without gearbox and
370-448: A cargo sling can be installed to carry cargo of up to 700 kg (1,540 lb). According to Airbus Helicopters, the EC120B integrates a high level of advanced technology to make the rotorcraft easier and safer to fly, as well as to reduce costs. A particular emphasis was placed on allowing end-customers to perform as much of the maintenance tasks themselves. The primary instrument panel is
444-448: A cargo-carrying capacity, the EC120 can carry one pilot plus 2.94 m (104 cu ft) of total useful load volume spread between the cabin and the 0.8 m (28 cu ft) hold, which is externally accessible from the right-hand side and to the rear, as well as from the cabin in some configurations. To ease cargo operations, the cabin floor is flat and unobstructed; alternatively,
518-685: A co-production arrangement with AVIC II-subsidiary Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). On 11 June 2004, a final production agreement was signed; under the agreement, CATIA and HAIG received exclusive market rights in China, and Eurocopter agreed to stop selling French-built EC120s in mainland China. In June 2014, the People's Liberation Army of China became the launch customer for the Harbin-produced HC120, reportedly placing an order for eight of
592-468: A female at speeds around 23 m/s (83 km/h; 51 mph). The sexes differ in feather coloration, with males having distinct brilliance and ornamentation of head, neck, wing, and breast feathers. The most typical feather ornament in males is the gorget – a bib-like iridescent neck-feather patch that changes brilliance with the viewing angle to attract females and warn male competitors away from territory. Hummingbirds begin mating when they are
666-409: A high level of cabin visibility. A wide range of optional equipment can be installed upon the EC120 B, this includes a wire strike protection system , air conditioning , sand filter, skis, windshield wipers, electrical external mirrors, a cargo sling, emergency flotation gear, forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, and external spotlights . For corporate customers, the EC120 can be equipped with
740-645: A high metabolic rate dependent on foraging for sugars from flower nectar. Hummingbird legs are short with feet having three toes pointing forward and one backward – the hallux . The toes of hummingbirds are formed as claws with ridged inner surfaces to aid gripping onto flower stems or petals. Hummingbirds do not walk on the ground or hop like most birds, but rather shuffle laterally and use their feet to grip while perching, preening feathers, or nest-building (by females), and during fights to grab feathers of opponents. Hummingbirds apply their legs as pistons for generating thrust upon taking flight, although
814-418: A high proportion of sucrose , whereas insect-pollinated flowers typically produce more concentrated nectars dominated by fructose and glucose . Robinson R-66 The Robinson R66 is a helicopter designed and built by Robinson Helicopter Company . It has five seats, a separate cargo compartment and is powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine. The R66 is slightly faster and smoother than
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#1732855369201888-458: A rate of 23 US gallons (87 L) per hour, compared to 15 US gallons (57 L) of avgas per hour for the O-540. At Heli Expo 2018 , Robinson introduced a cargo hook as an optional equipment. This modification increases the aircraft's maximum gross weight from 2,700 to 2,900 lb (1,200 to 1,300 kg). It is currently available in two variants. Robinson redesigned the tail in the 2020s to
962-452: A single person to move the helicopter this way. Another person can help by pushing on the rear of the engine compartment. R66’s with fixed floats or deployed pop-out emergency floats must have wheels installed under the skids as the bracket is not accessible. All models and years of the R66 include a ¾” diameter tow ball mounted on the bottom of the fuselage, near the front and offset slightly to
1036-431: A single pilot along with four passengers in typical passenger configuration. The design of the cabin is suitable for a wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, casualty evacuation and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the rotorcraft can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants. In
1110-442: A small number of flower species. Even in the most specialized hummingbird–plant mutualisms, the number of food plant lineages of the individual hummingbird species increases with time. The bee hummingbird ( Mellisuga helenae ) – the world's smallest bird – evolved to dwarfism likely because it had to compete with long-billed hummingbirds having an advantage for nectar foraging from specialized flowers, consequently leading
1184-469: A state similar to hibernation , and slow their metabolic rate to 1 ⁄ 15 of its normal rate. While most hummingbirds do not migrate , the rufous hummingbird has one of the longest migrations among birds, traveling twice per year between Alaska and Mexico , a distance of about 3,900 miles (6,300 km). Hummingbirds split from their sister group , the swifts and treeswifts , around 42 million years ago. The oldest known fossil hummingbird
1258-457: A symmetrical horizontal stabilizer, to hopefully reduce the danger of mast bumping accidents, such as during low-G conditions maneuvers. This type of maneuver is more dangerous in a two bladed helicopter, and is warned against, however, rare but tragic accidents have led to further investigation and improvements, due to the typically catastrophic nature of such incidents. The FAA approved the new empennage , which should improve roll stability when
1332-406: A year old. Sex occurs over 3–5 seconds when the male joins its cloaca with the female's, passing sperm to fertilize the female's eggs. Hummingbird females build a nest resembling a small cup about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter, commonly attached to a tree branch using spider webs, lichens , moss, and loose strings of plant fibers (image). Typically, two pea -shaped white eggs (image) –
1406-775: Is Eurotrochilus , from the Rupelian Stage of Early Oligocene Europe. Hummingbirds are the smallest known and smallest living avian theropod dinosaurs . The iridescent colors and highly specialized feathers of many species (mainly in males) give some hummingbirds exotic common names, such as sun gem, fairy, woodstar, sapphire or sylph . Across the estimated 366 species, hummingbird weights range from as small as 2 grams (0.071 oz) to as large as 20 grams (0.71 oz). They have characteristic long, narrow beaks (bills) which may be straight (of varying lengths) or highly curved. The bee hummingbird – only 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long and weighing about 2 grams (0.071 oz) –
1480-509: Is a single-engine multimission helicopter, designed for safe, simple, and cost-effective operations. It incorporates several of Eurocopter's trademarked technologies, those of prominence are the three-bladed Speriflex main rotor head and the eight-bladed fenestron anti-torque tail rotor; these have been partially credited with contributing to the rotorcraft's noise signature, which is 6.7 decibels below International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) limits. Airbus Helicopters has claimed that
1554-784: Is due to convergent evolution . The hummingbird moth has flying and feeding characteristics similar to those of a hummingbird. Hummingbirds may be mistaken for hummingbird hawk-moths , which are large, flying insects with hovering capabilities, and exist only in Eurasia. Hummingbirds are restricted to the Americas from south central Alaska to Tierra del Fuego , including the Caribbean. The majority of species occur in tropical and subtropical Central and South America, but several species also breed in temperate climates and some hillstars occur even in alpine Andean highlands at altitudes up to 5,200 m (17,100 ft). The greatest species richness
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#17328553692011628-419: Is greatest, possible ancestors of extant hummingbirds may have lived in parts of Europe and what is southern Russia today. As of 2023, 366 hummingbird species have been identified. They have been traditionally divided into two subfamilies : the hermits (subfamily Phaethornithinae) and the typical hummingbirds (subfamily Trochilinae , all the others). Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown, though, that
1702-598: Is in humid tropical and subtropical forests of the northern Andes and adjacent foothills, but the number of species found in the Atlantic Forest , Central America or southern Mexico also far exceeds the number found in southern South America, the Caribbean islands, the United States, and Canada. While fewer than 25 different species of hummingbirds have been recorded from the United States and fewer than 10 from Canada and Chile each, Colombia alone has more than 160 and
1776-544: Is the world's smallest bird and smallest warm-blooded vertebrate . Hummingbirds have compact bodies with relatively long, bladelike wings having anatomical structure enabling helicopter -like flight in any direction, including the ability to hover. Particularly while hovering, the wing beats produce the humming sounds, which function to alert other birds. In some species, the tail feathers produce sounds used by males during courtship flying. Hummingbirds have extremely rapid wing-beats as high as 80 per second, supported by
1850-773: The Helicopter Association International (HAI) show in Anaheim, California ; by June 1997, more than 50 orders had been received for the type. By October 1998, more than 100 orders had been received for the type, leading Eurocopter to increase the production rate from four helicopters per month to six. In 2002, Eurocopter was in the process of establishing a second assembly line for the EC120 at Australian Aerospace's facility in Brisbane , Australia . In September 2003, Eurocopter and China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) expanded their partnership agreement to include
1924-544: The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species in 2024, 8 hummingbird species are classified as critically endangered , 13 are endangered , 13 are vulnerable , and 20 species are near-threatened . Two species – the Brace's emerald ( Riccordia bracei ) and Caribbean emerald ( Riccordia elegans ) – have been declared extinct . Of the 15 species of North American hummingbirds that inhabit
1998-501: The Messel pit and in the Caucasus , dating from 35 to 40 million years ago; this indicates that the split between these two lineages indeed occurred around that time. The areas where these early fossils have been found had a climate quite similar to that of the northern Caribbean or southernmost China during that time. The biggest remaining mystery at present is what happened to hummingbirds in
2072-465: The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 , the exclusion of Chinese involvement in the project was speculated. On 20 October 1992, a contract for the joint development contract of the new helicopter was signed by the three principle partners of the project, the newly formed Eurocopter , China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) and Singapore Aerospace Ltd (STAero). Under
2146-578: The cladogram below, the English names are those introduced in 1997. The scientific names are those introduced in 2013. Florisuginae – topazes Phaethornithinae – hermits Polytminae – mangoes Heliantheini – brilliants Lesbiini – coquettes Patagoninae – giants Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees Trochilini – emeralds While all hummingbirds depend on flower nectar to fuel their high metabolisms and hovering flight, coordinated changes in flower and bill shape stimulated
2220-456: The long-billed hermit , appear to be evolving a dagger -like weapon on the beak tip as a secondary sexual trait to defend mating areas . The Andes Mountains appear to be a particularly rich environment for hummingbird evolution because diversification occurred simultaneously with mountain uplift over the past 10 million years. Hummingbirds remain in dynamic diversification inhabiting ecological regions across South America, North America, and
2294-411: The ornithophilous flowers upon which they feed. This coevolution implies that morphological traits of hummingbirds, such as bill length, bill curvature, and body mass, are correlated with morphological traits of plants, such as corolla length, curvature, and volume. Some species, especially those with unusual bill shapes, such as the sword-billed hummingbird and the sicklebills , are coevolved with
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri - Misplaced Pages Continue
2368-496: The 1,000th R66 in August 2020. The R66 is a single-engined helicopter with two-bladed main and tail rotors, and a fixed skid landing gear. The R66 is constructed from advanced composites, aluminum alloy (sheet), and chromoly steel. Like the R44, the R66 has both electromechanical instruments and optional digital glass cockpit . The R66 is the first Robinson helicopter with a cargo hold;
2442-402: The 330 kW (440 hp) installed powerpack weighs 249 kilograms (549 lb). The rotors were driven via the existing transmission, the faster-turning Turbomeca Arrius turboshaft was replaced with a multiplier gearbox . The brake specific fuel consumption was 200 g/kW⋅h. Torque oscillations were reduced through a light torsional shaft and vibrations are damped by Silent blocs. It
2516-458: The Caribbean, indicating an enlarging evolutionary radiation . Within the same geographic region, hummingbird clades coevolved with nectar-bearing plant clades, affecting mechanisms of pollination . The same is true for the sword-billed hummingbird ( Ensifera ensifera ), one of the morphologically most extreme species, and one of its main food plant clades ( Passiflora section Tacsonia ). Hummingbirds are specialized nectarivores tied to
2590-468: The EC120 B possesses the lowest operating cost in its class. As of 2014, the EC120 has the distinction of being the only single-engine rotorcraft to be certified to JAR/FAR 27 standards; measures incorporated to meet these standards include an energy-attenuating main structure, energy-absorbent seats for all on board, and a crash-resistant fuel system. The aircraft features a wide, ergonomic cabin with high levels of external visibility, which can accommodate
2664-426: The EC120, adding functionality such as an autopilot . In addition to various civil roles, the EC120 has also been used by several military operators to conduct training, observation and light utility missions. Airbus Helicopter has promoted the type in a training capacity due to features such as positive control response, performance computation systems, modern instrumentation for ease of use, overall compact size, and
2738-583: The EC120B to meet its Light Sign Cutter requirement, a program potentially involving 55 aircraft with a total value of US$ 75 million in then-year dollars. In 2006, the CBP ordered 15 EC120B helicopters, with a further five aircraft since ordered. The Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) has procured a number of EC120s, which are used as rotary-wing trainers at the Armilla AFB. In 2003, the SPAF formed an aerobatic display team ,
2812-762: The EC120B was assembled by Eurocopter in France and Australia. In China, the aircraft is produced by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) as the HC120 . In 2004, HAMC began local manufacturing of the HC120 at their assembly line in Harbin , in northern China. In the Chinese market, both the People's Liberation Army and multiple local police forces have purchased HC120 helicopters. The EC120 Colibri has its origins in
2886-524: The P120, a proposal by French helicopter manufacturer Aérospatiale that was intended to replace both their Aérospatiale Gazelle and Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama single engine helicopters. During the 1980s, Aérospatiale sought international partners with which to co-produce the P120, these included aerospace companies in China, Singapore, and Australia. In the aftermath of the Chinese Government's crackdown on
2960-694: The Patrulla ASPA, which use the type; a typical display involves five EC120s performing complex manoeuvers in addition to formation flight. In January 2008, the French Defense Ministry selected the EC120 as the French Army 's new lead-in rotary-wing trainer to replace the Aérospatiale Gazelle . 36 EC120 Bs equipped with Sagem avionics shall be operated through a 22-year public-private partnership (PPP) with operator Hélidax. On 12 October 2010,
3034-593: The R66 Turbine Newscopter (R66 ENG). On 25 January 2017 Robinson announced that it had delivered its 12,000th aircraft, an R66 to a charter and tour operator, Fly Karoo Air Services. On 17 July 2017, Robinson introduced the TB17 lithium-ion phosphate battery as optional equipment. The battery weighs 16 lb (7.3 kg), which is lighter than the previous 42 lb (19 kg) standard and 52 lb (24 kg) high capacity batteries. The company delivered
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri - Misplaced Pages Continue
3108-585: The R66 design is based on the earlier piston-engine R44 . Robinson started taking orders for the R66 in February, 2010. It went into preliminary production in 2010, and full production in 2011. The existing two-seat R22 and four-seat R44 continued in production. A four-seat police version of the R66 has entered production with a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera system, searchlight, and external public address (PA) system as standard equipment. In 2012, Robinson delivered 191 R66s while Robinson's competitors in
3182-399: The United States and Canada indicate that the ruby-throated hummingbird numbers are around 34 million, rufous hummingbirds are around 19 million, black-chinned , Anna's , and broad-tailed hummingbirds are about 8 million each, calliopes at 4 million, and Costa's and Allen's hummingbirds are around 2 million each. Several species exist only in the thousands or hundreds. According to
3256-428: The United States and Canada, several have changed their range of distribution, while others showed declines in numbers since the 1970s, including in 2023 with dozens of hummingbird species in decline. As of the 21st century, rufous, Costa's, calliope, broad-tailed, and Allen's hummingbirds are in significant decline, some losing as much as 67% of their numbers since 1970 at nearly double the rate of population loss over
3330-1116: The World's Aircraft 2007–08 General characteristics Performance Avionics Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard. Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Hummingbird Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae . With approximately 366 species and 113 genera , they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego , but most species are found in Central and South America . As of 2024, 21 hummingbird species are listed as endangered or critically endangered , with numerous species declining in population. Hummingbirds have varied specialized characteristics to enable rapid, maneuverable flight: exceptional metabolic capacity , adaptations to high altitude, sensitive visual and communication abilities, and long-distance migration in some species. Among all birds, male hummingbirds have
3404-417: The ball mating device behind the wheels so the operator engages the ball then pushes down on the handle to lift the nose. Others provide a repurposed car-style hydraulic jack or an electric jack to lift the nose. Tow carts are available with no motive power, a gas engine or one or two electric motors operated from one or two batteries. Some of the non-powered tow carts are set up to be towed such as behind
3478-669: The bee hummingbird to more successfully compete for flower foraging against insects. Many plants pollinated by hummingbirds produce flowers in shades of red, orange, and bright pink, although the birds take nectar from flowers of other colors. Hummingbirds can see wavelengths into the near- ultraviolet , but hummingbird-pollinated flowers do not reflect these wavelengths as many insect-pollinated flowers do. This narrow color spectrum may render hummingbird-pollinated flowers relatively inconspicuous to most insects, thereby reducing nectar robbing . Hummingbird-pollinated flowers also produce relatively weak nectar (averaging 25% sugars) containing
3552-739: The comparably small Ecuador has about 130 species. The family Trochilidae was introduced in 1825 by Irish zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors with Trochilus as the type genus . In traditional taxonomy , hummingbirds are placed in the order Apodiformes , which also contains the swifts , but some taxonomists have separated them into their own order, the Trochiliformes. Hummingbirds' wing bones are hollow and fragile, making fossilization difficult and leaving their evolutionary history poorly documented. Though scientists theorize that hummingbirds originated in South America, where species diversity
3626-421: The earliest species of hummingbird occurred in the early Oligocene ( Rupelian about 34–28 million years ago) of Europe, belonging to the genus Eurotrochilus, having similar morphology to modern hummingbirds. A phylogenetic tree unequivocally indicates that modern hummingbirds originated in South America, with the last common ancestor of all living hummingbirds living around 22 million years ago. A map of
3700-576: The final EC120 was delivered to Hélidax. Since 2011, a number of EC120s have been operated by the traffic police of Kurdistan , Iraq . As of 2014, the crews are trained to undertake surveillance and rescue missions. P120L prototype before type redesignation to EC120 Colibri . The EC120 is used by both private individuals and companies, helicopter charter and training organisations as well as law enforcement and government use. [REDACTED] Kurdistan • Kurdistan traffic police; also used for rescue and reconnaissance Data from Jane's all
3774-475: The final assembly activity. Development of the rotorcraft allowed Eurocopter to extend its range to include 1.5- tonne (1.7- short-ton ) rotorcraft. On 9 June 1995, the first prototype EC120 Colibri conducted its maiden flight . By February 1996, the prototype had accumulated 60 flight hours, a second prototype joined the test program later that year. In February 1997, the EC120 Colibri was formally launched at
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#17328553692013848-493: The formation of new species of hummingbirds and plants. Due to this exceptional evolutionary pattern, as many as 140 hummingbird species can coexist in a specific region, such as the Andes range . The hummingbird evolutionary tree shows that one key evolutionary factor appears to have been an altered taste receptor that enabled hummingbirds to seek nectar. Upon maturity, males of a particular species, Phaethornis longirostris,
3922-401: The helicopter is in flight at high speed. R66’s are equipped with wheel mounts toward the rear of the skids, one on each side, for attachment of removable wheels. The wheels must be removed prior to flight. These brackets are slightly behind the helicopter center of gravity so when the wheels are installed, the helicopter sits nose low. The wheel assembly has a pivot pin which is inserted into
3996-456: The hermits are sister to the topazes , making the former definition of the Trochilinae not monophyletic . The hummingbirds form nine major clades : the topazes and jacobins , the hermits, the mangoes , the coquettes , the brilliants , the giant hummingbird ( Patagona gigas ), the mountaingems , the bees , and the emeralds . The topazes and jacobins combined have the oldest split with
4070-515: The hold carries up to 300 pounds (140 kg). The RR300 engine is more compact and lighter than the Lycoming O-540 six-cylinder piston engine that powers the R44—;the R66 has a lower empty weight than the R44. The RR300 has a simplified single-stage centrifugal compressor which makes it less expensive and is expected to result in lower maintenance costs. The turbine burns Jet-A fuel at
4144-455: The humming sound created by their beating wings , which flap at high frequencies audible to other birds and humans. They hover at rapid wing-flapping rates, which vary from around 12 beats per second in the largest species to 80 per second in small hummingbirds. Hummingbirds have the highest mass-specific metabolic rate of any homeothermic animal. To conserve energy when food is scarce and at night when not foraging, they can enter torpor ,
4218-464: The hummingbird family tree – reconstructed from analysis of 284 species – shows rapid diversification from 22 million years ago. Hummingbirds fall into nine main clades – the topazes , hermits , mangoes , brilliants , coquettes , the giant hummingbird, mountaingems , bees , and emeralds – defining their relationship to nectar -bearing flowering plants which attract hummingbirds into new geographic areas. Molecular phylogenetic studies of
4292-494: The hummingbirds have shown that the family is composed of nine major clades. When Edward Dickinson and James Van Remsen Jr. updated the Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World for the 4th edition in 2013, they divided the hummingbirds into six subfamilies. Molecular phylogenetic studies determined the relationships between the major groups of hummingbirds. In
4366-447: The joint development agreement, Eurocopter received a 61% controlling interest and technical leader in the programme, CATIC received a 24% work share and STAero received a 15% work share; CATIC designed and produced the cabin structure and fuel system, STAero produced the tail boom, access doors, and composite materials, while Eurocopter produced the dynamic assemblies, installed the avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, and conducted
4440-433: The left. A tow cart or tug can be engaged with the ball and then used to lift the front of the helicopter to clear the skids from the ground after the wheels are installed and rotated to lift the rear of the skids. This makes it possible for a single person to move the helicopter, even over significant distances or not-level surfaces. Tow carts are available with a variety of features. There exist manual versions which place
4514-602: The light single turbine sector delivered only 40 units between them. About 70 percent of the R66 production is exported. In 2014, the production rate slowed to about two R66s per week for a total of 101 for the year. In 2015, Robinson produced three R66s per week. RHC has contracted with Rolls-Royce to supply 100 RR300 turbines per year for 10 years. Russia certified the R66 in March 2013, while Canada certified it in June 2013. European EASA and Chinese CAAC certifications were granted in
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#17328553692014588-566: The piston-powered Robinson R44 from which it is derived. The R66 received both type and production certificates from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on October 25, 2010. The R66 is a larger and turbine powered derivative of the Robinson R22 and R44 family of helicopters. Announced in 2007, the R66 was designed to be the company's first turbine-powered product and to extend its product range to compete with larger helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopter and Eurocopter . Most of
4662-788: The previous 50 years. The ruby-throated hummingbird population – the most populous North American hummingbird – decreased by 17% over the early 21st century. Habitat loss, glass collisions, cat predation, pesticides , and possibly climate change affecting food availability, migration signals, and breeding are factors that may contribute to declining hummingbird numbers. By contrast, Anna's hummingbirds had large population growth at an accelerating rate since 2010, and expanded their range northward to reside year-round in cold winter climates. Some species of sunbirds — an Old World group restricted in distribution to Eurasia , Africa, and Australia — resemble hummingbirds in appearance and behavior, but are not related to hummingbirds, as their resemblance
4736-785: The rest of the hummingbirds. The hummingbird family has the third-greatest number of species of any bird family (after the tyrant flycatchers and the tanagers ). Fossil hummingbirds are known from the Pleistocene of Brazil and the Bahamas , but neither has yet been scientifically described, and fossils and subfossils of a few extant species are known. Until recently, older fossils had not been securely identifiable as those of hummingbirds. In 2004, Gerald Mayr identified two 30-million-year-old hummingbird fossils. The fossils of this primitive hummingbird species, named Eurotrochilus inexpectatus ("unexpected European hummingbird"), had been sitting in
4810-480: The roughly 25 million years between the primitive Eurotrochilus and the modern fossils. The astounding morphological adaptations , the decrease in size, and the dispersal to the Americas and extinction in Eurasia all occurred during this timespan. DNA–DNA hybridization results suggest that the main radiation of South American hummingbirds took place at least partly in the Miocene , some 12 to 13 million years ago, during
4884-542: The second quarter of 2014. The R66 Turbine Marine with pop-out floats was FAA certified in November 2014. A journalist pilot described ground landing with them as "better than the standard R66". Retrofit floats are not available for the standard R66. A cargo hook was approved in the EU and the United States in 2015. In December 2015 Robinson announced it had sold 700 R66s. On July 13, 2017, Robinson announced certification of
4958-442: The shortness of their legs provides about 20% less propulsion than assessed in other birds. During flight, hummingbird feet are tucked up under the body, enabling optimal aerodynamics and maneuverability. Of those species that have been measured during flight, the top flight speeds of hummingbirds exceed 15 m/s (54 km/h; 34 mph). During courtship , some male species dive from 30 metres (100 ft) of height above
5032-453: The skid-mounted bracket and then rotated over center to lift the rear of the skids about 2 inches leaving the front of the skids on the ground. The helicopter can be moved by pulling down on the tail to lift the front of the skids off the ground. Because of the size and weight of the R66 and the height of the tail from the ground, as compared to the R22, it is extremely difficult if not impossible for
5106-556: The smallest of any bird – are incubated over 2–3 weeks in breeding season. Fed by regurgitation only from the mother, the chicks fledge about 3 weeks after hatching. The average lifespan of a ruby-throated hummingbird is estimated to be 3–5 years, with most deaths occurring in yearlings, although one banded ruby-throated hummingbird lived for 9 years and 2 months. Bee hummingbirds live 7–10 years. Although most hummingbird species live in remote habitats where their population numbers are difficult to assess, population studies in
5180-532: The twin-screen vehicle and engine multifunction display (VEMD) which provides control and monitoring of various aspects of the rotorcraft, such as the fenestron tail rotor and key engine parameters; the VEMD decreases overall pilot workload for greater safety. In a baseline configuration, flight controls are installed only on the right-hand side, dual controls or left-hand only flight controls can be optionally installed. Third parties have offered their own avionics suites for
5254-667: The type with options for fifty more. On 30 November 2017 Airbus Helicopters formally announced the end of the H120 program citing low delivery numbers. Only five H120s were delivered in 2016 compared to 63 Robinson R-66s . Airbus stated they are moving away from the lower end of the market spectrum and those helicopters are not as sophisticated as their traditional product line. Within the Green Rotorcraft European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative environmental research program started in 2011,
5328-529: The uplifting of the northern Andes . In 2013, a 50-million-year-old bird fossil unearthed in Wyoming was found to be a predecessor to hummingbirds and swifts before the groups diverged. Hummingbirds split from other members of Apodiformes, the insectivorous swifts (family Apodidae) and treeswifts (family Hemiprocnidae), about 42 million years ago, probably in Eurasia . Despite their current New World distribution,
5402-574: The widest diversity of plumage color, particularly in blues, greens, and purples. Hummingbirds are the smallest mature birds, measuring 7.5–13 cm (3–5 in) in length. The smallest is the 5 cm (2.0 in) bee hummingbird , which weighs less than 2.0 g (0.07 oz), and the largest is the 23 cm (9 in) giant hummingbird , weighing 18–24 grams (0.63–0.85 oz). Noted for long beaks , hummingbirds are specialized for feeding on flower nectar , but all species also consume small insects. They are known as hummingbirds because of
5476-528: Was manufactured by Teos Powertrain Engineering—a joint venture between Mecachrome and D2T (IFPEN group)—for the mechanical design, engine main parts manufacturing, assembly and testing and Austro Engine for the dual-channel FADEC and harness, fuel system, airworthiness. Power was maintained at 2,500 m and ISA+20° and it achieved 42% a fuel consumption reduction, reducing the direct operating costs by 30% along with simpler maintenance. The EC120B Colibri
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