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Wasn't this done already? http://www.everestnews.com/stories2005/everestcopter05272005.htm http://www.everestnews.com/stories2005/everestcopter05272005...

• stcredzero 16y ago
  To me, the "never ages" part is the most interesting, though in terms of aerospace, this doesn't have to be literally "never". An "estimated service life of 150 years" would be half again as long as humans have had powered flight, and would basically amount to the same thing.
  • BCM43 16y ago
    It's going to be completely irrelevant and out of date within 50.
    • MoreMoschops 16y ago
      Boeing 747 was first flown in 1969 and is still being made new.
  • arethuza 16y ago
    "Designers say the helicopter’s performance is quite unique, that it will not age. Special wear resistant composite materials are used on the helicopter’s fuselage" I'd have thought that most problems with helicopters come from the engines and other complex parts, not the fuselage.
    • jws 16y ago
      Yes, but they made no claims about that. In their little corner of the universe the helicopter is the air frame. Those engines, rotors, tires, batteries and whatnot are just incidentals that people insist on bolting on.
    • icegreentea 16y ago
      Engines and the rotor assembly are relatively easily replaced. In fact, engines are routinely rated for less operation time than the expected life time of many air craft today. The fuselage and avionics are typically the most expensive parts of an any aircraft.