WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21st FROM 6.30pm to 8pm by videophone.
The Île-de-France Group of the Association Aéronautique et Astronautique de France (3AF), in partnership with 3AF's "Centre" group and the Groupement des Ingénieurs et Cadres Supérieurs de l'Aviation Civile (GIACRE), invites you to a conference entitled " Piloting and controlling the new RACER " . The talk is given by Paul EGLIN, Senior Expert in Flight Mechanics, Airbus Helicopters / Research and Innovation Department / Clean SKY 2 - RACER project.
Summary : Since the first helicopters went into production in the 1940s, performance has continued to improve, but manufacturers have always had to contend with the problem of operational cruising speed. This is generally around 140 kts (259 km/h), due to the aerodynamic behavior of the rotor. The only way to overcome this problem is to use the combined formula, which relieves the rotor of lift by adding a wing or a second rotor, and of propulsion by adding propeller(s) or engine(s). After being studied and then abandoned in the 60s and 70s, the question was revived in the mid-2000s, culminating in the H3 concept developed by Airbus into a demonstrator.the X3 technology demonstrator (1st flight in 2010) and the RACER mission demonstrator (1st flight in 2024), the latter being part of the European Clean Sky 2 research program. Between its excellent stability and its propeller management assistance functions, a helicopter pilot is immediately at ease at the controls of the H3 concept, as the pilots invited on board have been able to confirm. Designed with the ambitious aim of reducing fuel consumption despite its significantly increased speed, the RACER reached a speed of 240 kts (444 km/h), against a target of 220 kts.
The conference is free, open to all, andregistration is MANDATORY in order to receive connection information and to inform you of any postponements or schedule changes.
Registration is now open.
NEXT 3AF CONFERENCES Île-de-France
- WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2026 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm, "Les 1001 métiers de l'aéronautique et du spatial" by Gérard Laruelle, President of the 3AF Youth Committee.
- WEDNESDAY APRIL 8, 2026 from 6.30 pm to 8 pm, "The new challenges of the right to Space" by Philippe Muller-Feuga, member of 3AF's Strategy and International Affairs Commission.
