Hill Helicopters successfully ran its clean sheet GT50 engine to 55% N1, bringing the first new light turbine helicopter engine in four decades to life. The GT50 engine is specifically developed to power the Hill HX50 — a ground-up, five-seat light helicopter design — as well as future Hill-designed aircraft. The Hill Helicopters team inspects the GT50 prototype prior to its first run. Hill Helicopters’ GT50 engine comes to life in its first run. “To make the Hill HX50 powerful, capable, and affordable, we needed a 500-horsepower turbine,” Hill told Vertical Plus earlier this year.