Aeroter and Savback Sign Exclusive Five-Year Sales Agreement for VRT500 Helicopter at Dubai Airshow 2021

Singapore-based Aeroter has announced an exclusive five-year agreement with Swedish company Savback Helicopters AB to distribute and sell its VRT500 light, single-engine helicopter. From its headquarters in Sweden, Savback will also cover sales representation of the aircraft in Norway, Denmark, and Finland.

The co-axial format VRT500 helicopter was displayed at the Dubai Airshow, which is being held November 14-18 at Dubai World Central Airport.  Aeroter CEO Alexander Okhonko leads the company’s participation at  Booth S14 in the exhibition hall.

The partners have identified a ripe market for the VRT500 from discerning European buyers.  

The co-axial rotor format of Aeroter's VRT500 has long been favoured in a number of successful aircraft designs, and its two sets of counter-rotating blades on a single mast removes the requirement for a tail rotor. It also provides opportunities to land in a smaller area, owing to the lack of tail and tail boom.

Test flying of the VRT500 prototype will begin in 2022 in Italy in conjunction with Vertex Aero srl.  The location of the final production line is to be determined from a shortlist currently under consideration. 

Powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW207V engine, the aircraft has been designed to reach speeds of up to 250 km (155 mph) with a range of up to 900 km (559 miles) and a payload of up to 800 kg (1,763 lb). 

The VRT500 will feature new-generation avionics from Thales.

Last month Aeroter selected Swiss simulator company Bruner Elektronik to produce a Virtual Reality full-motion simulator for the aircraft, which will be used for demos and test flights at trade shows.

Aeroter is already working with EASA and expects certification of the VRT500 under their jurisdiction in 2024. The first 20 helicopters from the production line are already sold and are scheduled for delivery to customers in Europe and Asia.