Worth Helicopters
Worth Helicopters is a helicopter manufacturing company based in Fort Worth, Texas. It operates additional factories in Tramore, Salide and Adelaide, Australia.
Worth Helicopter has a partnership with Donnalley Aerospace, in which both Donnalley and Worth facilities are qualified to perform maintenance work on either company's aircraft. As well, Worth built a facility adjacent to Donnalley's facility in Tramore, and Donnalley built a facility at TAF Carswell, adjacent to Worth's.
Contents
Design
Worth Helicopters is known for its refusal to use a standard helicopter layout, instead opting for other configurations. Its most widely used configuration is the co-axial rotor.
Rotorcraft
U21
The Utility Model 21 is Worth's most popular helicopter model.
The Worth U21 is a Texan mid-size helicopter, with a capability similar to that of a Bell 412 or Kamov 27. The base aircraft model was introduced in 1980, with a polar variant introduced in 1984. It is equipped with a co-axial rotor configuration and 4 wheel landing gear.
- Crew: 1-2
- Capacity: 16 passengers or 3500kg internally or 4000kg on external sling
- Cruise Speed: 205kmh
- Range: 1030km
- Hover Ceiling: 5000m
U26
- Crew: 1-2
- Capacity: 8 passengers or 2000kg internally or 2300kg on external sling
- Cruise Speed: 250kmh
- Range: 640km
- Hover Ceiling: 3200m
The Utility Model 26 is a NOTAR design
MD Explorer with Kawasaki BK 117
LU27
The Light Utility Model 27 is a 5 seat helicopter, utilising the NOTAR System, utilising the Coandă effect along the shape of the rear boom to provide yaw stability. The LU27 was produced in conjunction with the U26, a larger Utility Helicopter utilising the same NOTAR system.
MD500