Helio Courier
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeFour/six place STOL utility light aircraft
- PowerplantsH250 - One 185kW (250hp) Lycoming O540A1A5 flat six piston engine driving a three blade constant speed propeller. H295 - One 229kW (295hp) geared GO480G1D6.
- PerformanceH250 - Max speed 257km/h (140kt), max cruising speed 245km/h (132kt), long range cruising speed 214km/h (116kt). Initial rate of climb 830ft/min. Service ceiling 15,200ft. Range with standard fuel and no reserves 1035km (560nm), with optional fuel 2073km (1120nm). H295 - Max speed 270km/h (145kt), max cruising speed 265km/h (143kt), long range cruising speed 240km/h (130kt). Initial rate of climb 1150ft/min. Service ceiling 20,500ft. Range with standard fuel and no reserves 1060km (575nm), with optional fuel 2220km (1200nm).
- WeightsH250 - Empty 890kg (1960lb), max takeoff 1542kg (3400lb). H295 - Empty 943kg (2080lb), max takeoff 1542kg (3400lb).
- DimentionsH250 & H295 - Wing span 11.89m (39ft 0in), length 9.45m (31ft 0in), height 2.69m (8ft 10in). Wing area 21.5m2 (231sq ft).
- CapacityEarly models up to the H250 could seat four, the H395 five or six, the H250 and subsequent models six.
- ProductionMore than 500 Couriers of all models built, including 130 U10s for the US Air Force.
The Helio Courier has turned out to be an exceedingly adaptable utility flying machine, eminent for its magnificent STOL capabilities.
The Courier ancestry follows back to a quite adjusted trial improvement of the two seat Piper Vagabond known as the Koppenbolinger Helioplane. This Helioplane emphasized various aeromechanic alterations to improve low speed taking care of capacities and STOL execution, and a hefty portion of its peculiarities were therefore joined into the all new and much bigger Courier.
The Courier was at first known as the Helioplane Four and initially showed up in 1952. In its first structure it was controlled by a 197kw (264hp) Lycoming Go435 and situated four. Initially flight happened amid 1953 and conveyances of the introductory generation display, the H391b, got underway in 1954. Resulting improvement prompted various subsidiaries, starting with the H392 Strato Courier of 1957. Expected for high height photographic work, the H-392 was controlled by a 255kw (340hp) supercharged Gso435.
The H395, emphasizing a 220kw (295hp) Go485 and seating for five or six, was the first significant generation rendition and it showed up in 1957. The H395a was comparable however its motor could work on 80 octane fuel, making it suitable for operations in remote territories. Next came the H250 (with a 185kw/250hp O540) and H295 Super Courier (220kw/295hp Go480) from 1965, and the tricycle undercarriage Ht295 from 1974. The H250 stayed in creation until 1972, the H295 until 1976.
An improvement of the H295 with an eight chamber 300kw (400hp) Lycoming Io720, the Courier 800, and the 260kw (350hp) Tio540 fueled Courier 700 were put into creation by the recently settled Helio Aircraft Company from 1983, yet generation was constrained and stopped in the late 1980s.
Pictures of Helio Courier
