| The demanding development of
the Bongo® helicopters started 1992 as a purely private
project of Mr.J.Namisnak the helicopter designer. He decided
to set criteria for a new design which would fill the gap in
the light helicopter market. Since the outset of the development
it was quite obvious that in order to suceed, the latest knowledge
in the field of aerodynamics, materials, technologies, operational
safety and rehability must be applied. Relevant model tests
were successfully completed in 1993 and this was followed shortly
by technological preparations and manufacturing of the first
fully functional Technology Demonstrator.
After a series of ground tests the Technology Demonstrator
started tethered hover testing in March 1998 has accumulated
70 hours of operation performing stabilised tethered hover
flights with up to 45 minutes duration.
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. By then it was quite clear that to achieve a full civil
and military certification followed by a serial production
a direct assistance from an experienced manufacturer will
be needed. In the same time it was clear that a review of
the project organisation and development strategy is necessary.
The experiences gained during Technology Demonstrator flights
led to new, improved design of NA 40 helicopter.
Customers demand for higher payload and higher number of pasengers
led to development of 4 seater NA 50 helicopter.
Improved power units led to new rotor design and to the last
member of the Bongo helicopter family - 5 seater NA
542 with 4 bladed rotor system, which can be used for Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) as well.
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