Aérospatiale N 500
Nord Aviation / Aérospatiale · France · first flew 1968 · helicopter
The Aérospatiale N 500 (also designated Nord N 500) was an experimental French helicopter that used tip-jet propulsion — the rotor was spun by jets at the blade tips rather than a conventional shaft drive — eliminating the need for a tail rotor. It was a research vehicle rather than a production type.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.58 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French experimental tip-jet helicopter
- Rotor driven by tip-jets rather than a shaft drive
- Single turboshaft powers tip jets via compressed air
A compact helicopter with a smooth fuselage, no tail rotor, and a distinctive rotor hub arrangement for tip-jet feeds; its tailboom ends in a simple fixed fin rather than a tail rotor pylon.
Specifications
- The Aérospatiale N 500 has a length of 6.58 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.14 m (20 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 350 km/h (217 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Nord Aviation (later merged into Aérospatiale) and first flying in 1968, the N 500 investigated the practical application of tip-jet rotor drive for eliminating the torque reaction that requires a tail rotor in conventional helicopters. The concept, while technically successful, did not lead to production due to noise and fuel efficiency penalties.
Variants
A single experimental prototype; no production variant.
Where you'll see it
Used exclusively for research; never entered service.
Related aircraft
- Nord 262
- Breda-Nardi NH 500E
- Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King
- Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama
- Aérospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle
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