The Aerospatiale Hibari is a single-turbine quad-rotor light helicopter. Tailored for aerial journalism, the Hibari is lightweight and nimble, and can carry specialized transmission equipment. The Hibari sparsely appears in Patlabor media, and is one of two news helicopters frequently seen at major confrontations, the other being the Shinohara SH-9500.
Design[]
The Hibari takes after the Aerospariale AS350 Ecureuil in terms of design, with some hints of the Bell 206 and 222. It is a slender helicopter with a stretched appearance. Its small four-place passenger compartment is equipped with numerous windows, offering its occupants a good view of the scene below, and providing ample room for television cameras to survey the ground. Behind the passengers, ample space is provided for fuel and the helicopter's single turbine powerplant, indicated by the large dorsal-mounted single exhaust pipe. Mounted atop the helicopter's body is its four-blade main rotor. The Hibari's sweeping tail boom carries a set of conventional horizontal stabilizers and a relatively conventional vertical stabilizer setup. Beneath the helicopter, a pair of tall landing skids provide ample ground clearance for its television broadcast antenna, mounted on a large retractable boom. The helicopter's nose is long and sleek, its shape broken by a bulbous sensor pod that gives its pilot greater situational awareness in often hectic and crowded locations.
Operational Use[]
A Hibari was present to provide aerial coverage at the 1999 Hokkaido Snow Festival.
Gallery[]
