Brantly International

Brantly International is an American helicopter company associated with the Brantly family of light piston-powered helicopters. Its engineering and administrative offices are based in Coppell, Texas, while manufacturing of Brantly-designed aircraft is carried out by Qingdao Haili Helicopters in China. The company’s history reaches back to 1945, when Newby O. Brantly established Brantly Helicopter Corporation in Philadelphia after becoming interested in helicopter design and inspired by the Sikorsky VS-300. Brantly’s first aircraft was the B-1, a coaxial-rotor helicopter that first flew in 1946. Although the B-1 did not enter production, the design program provided the technical experience for the company’s next aircraft. Brantly subsequently developed the B-2, a simpler two-seat helicopter using a conventional single main-rotor arrangement. The B-2 first flew in 1953. The company moved to Frederick, Oklahoma, in 1957, and the type received certification in 1959. The company expanded its product ambitions with the Brantly 305, a larger five-seat helicopter. The 305 made its first flight in 1964, gained Federal Aviation Administration certification in 1965, and entered production during the same year. Brantly Helicopter Corporation was acquired by Lear Jet in 1966. At that time, the company operated a 180,000-square-foot factory in Frederick with approximately 100 employees. The factory was moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1969. Later that year, Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation acquired the rights to Brantly helicopters from Lear Jet, but ceased operations in early 1970. The helicopter rights changed hands again in 1972, when they were acquired through Brantly Operators Inc. by Michael K. Hynes. Hynes renamed the company Brantly-Hynes Helicopter Inc. in 1975. Later in 1975, Franklin Capital Corporation, led by F. Lee Bailey, purchased the business. Bailey also owned Enstrom Helicopter Corporation at that time. Brantly-Hynes initially concentrated on supporting existing aircraft, but later returned the B-2 and 305 to production. A new factory was built in Vernon, Texas, in 1989 by Japanese-American businessman James T. Kimura, who adopted the Brantly International name. Ownership transferred to the Beijing-based FESCO in 1994. Brantly International obtained an FAA production certificate in 1996. In 2007, Chinese businessman Cheng Shenzong acquired a significant interest, and a joint venture was established involving Brantly International, Qingdao Wenquan International Aviation Investment, and Qingdao Brantly Investment Consultation. The Vernon factory closed at the end of 2010, after a period in which relatively few helicopters were sold from the Texas manufacturing operation. Brantly’s engineering and administrative functions subsequently moved to Coppell. Manufacturing of the B-2B is now undertaken by Qingdao Haili Helicopters, making the company’s current role primarily connected with the continued development, support, licensing, and brand stewardship of Brantly-designed helicopters rather than large-scale manufacturing in the United States. The B-2B, an improved B-2 derivative with metal rotor blades and a fuel-injected 180-horsepower Lycoming piston engine, is identified as the only Brantly version currently available in the referenced material.

Brantly International originated as Brantly Helicopter Corporation, founded by Newby O. Brantly in Philadelphia in 1945. Brantly’s interest in helicopter development followed his exposure to the Sikorsky VS-300. His first design, the Brantly B-1, used coaxial rotors and flew in 1946, but it remained a developmental aircraft and was not produced commercially. Experience from the B-1 led Brantly to develop the B-2, a two-seat helicopter with a simpler rotor arrangement. The B-2 first flew in 1953. The company relocated from Philadelphia to Frederick, Oklahoma, in 1957, and the aircraft was certified in 1959. Brantly later enlarged the concept into the five-seat Brantly 305, which first flew in 1964. The 305 received FAA certification and entered production in 1965. Lear Jet acquired Brantly Helicopter Corporation in 1966. The company then had a substantial Frederick facility measuring approximately 180,000 square feet and a workforce of about 100 employees. Lear Jet moved the factory to Wichita, Kansas, in 1969 and subsequently sold the helicopter rights to Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation. That organization ended operations in early 1970. The rights were acquired in 1972 by Brantly Operators Inc., controlled by Michael K. Hynes. Hynes changed the name to Brantly-Hynes Helicopter Inc. in 1975. Franklin Capital Corporation, led by F. Lee Bailey, acquired the business later that year. The company initially emphasized support for the existing fleet, then restarted production of the B-2 and Brantly 305. In 1989, Japanese-American businessman James T. Kimura financed construction of a new plant in Vernon, Texas, and adopted the Brantly International name. Ownership moved to Beijing-based FESCO in 1994. The company achieved an FAA production certificate in 1996, an important regulatory milestone for its manufacturing activities. In 2007, Cheng Shenzong acquired a major interest in Brantly International. A joint venture was formed among Brantly International Inc., Qingdao Wenquan International Aviation Investment Co., Ltd., and Qingdao Brantly Investment Consultation Co., Ltd. The arrangement connected the Brantly design and corporate brand with Chinese aviation investment and manufacturing capabilities. The Vernon plant closed at the end of 2010. Brantly’s engineering and administrative offices moved to Coppell, Texas, while production of Brantly-designed helicopters shifted to Qingdao Haili Helicopters in China. The company’s principal current aircraft is the B-2B, an updated B-2 derivative equipped with metal rotor blades and a fuel-injected 180-horsepower Lycoming piston engine. The B-2B is described in the reference material as the only Brantly version currently available. The company therefore represents a long-running specialist helicopter program whose production history has passed through several owners, locations, and operating models rather than a continuously integrated American manufacturing business.

1. 2010Vernon factory closes

   The Wilbarger County Airport factory closes at the end of the year, and engineering and administrative functions move to Coppell, Texas.

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2. 2007Chinese joint venture is established

   After Cheng Shenzong acquires a major interest, Brantly International participates in a joint venture with Qingdao aviation investment companies.

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3. 1996FAA production certificate is achieved

   Brantly International obtains an FAA production certificate.

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4. 1994Ownership transfers to FESCO

   Ownership is transferred to Beijing-based FESCO.

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5. 1989Vernon factory is built and Brantly International name is adopted

   A new factory is built in Vernon, Texas, and the company adopts the Brantly International name under James T. Kimura.

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6. 1975Company becomes Brantly-Hynes Helicopter

   The business is renamed Brantly-Hynes Helicopter Inc.; later that year Franklin Capital Corporation purchases it.

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7. 1972Brantly rights are acquired by Brantly Operators

   Michael K. Hynes acquires the rights through Brantly Operators Inc.

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8. 1969Factory moves to Wichita and helicopter rights are sold

   The manufacturing facility moves from Frederick to Wichita, and Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation acquires the Brantly helicopter rights from Lear Jet.

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9. 1966Lear Jet acquires the company

   Lear Jet acquires Brantly Helicopter Corporation.

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10. 1965Brantly 305 enters production

    The 305 receives FAA certification and enters production during the same year.

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11. 1964Brantly 305 makes its first flight

    The larger five-seat Brantly 305 completes its first flight.

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12. 1959B-2 receives certification

    The Brantly B-2 receives certification, allowing the type to proceed as a production aircraft.

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13. 1957Operations move to Frederick, Oklahoma

    The company relocates its operations from Philadelphia to Frederick, Oklahoma.

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14. 1953B-2 prototype makes its first flight

    The two-seat Brantly B-2 flies for the first time, establishing the basis for the company’s principal production helicopter family.

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15. 1946B-1 makes its first flight

    The coaxial-rotor Brantly B-1 flies for the first time but is not placed into production.

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16. 1945Brantly Helicopter Corporation is founded

    Newby O. Brantly establishes the company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning the helicopter design program that later becomes Brantly International.

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A specialist helicopter brand focused on compact, piston-powered aircraft for training, utility, and general aviation applications, with current manufacturing based in China and engineering and administrative operations retained in the United States.

• Brantly B-1Experimental helicopter1946

  The B-1 was Newby O. Brantly’s first helicopter design. It used a coaxial-rotor configuration and made its first flight in 1946. The aircraft served as a development platform for the company’s early engineering work but was never placed into production.

• Brantly B-2Two-seat light helicopter1953

  The B-2 was developed as a simpler two-seat helicopter after the lessons of the B-1 program. Its prototype first flew in 1953, and the type was certified in 1959. The B-2 became the foundation for later variants, including the B-2A and the improved B-2B.

• Brantly B-2ATwo-seat light helicopter

  The B-2A was the basic production version of the B-2 family. It represents the principal production configuration developed from the original certified B-2 design.

• Brantly B-2BTwo-seat light helicopter

  The B-2B is an improved B-2 derivative. Its cited updates include metal rotor blades and a fuel-injected 180-horsepower Lycoming piston engine. It is identified as the only Brantly helicopter currently available in the reference material, with manufacturing undertaken by Qingdao Haili Helicopters in China.

• Brantly B-2J10Projected tandem-rotor helicopter

  The B-2J10 was a projected tandem-rotor derivative with a longer and wider fuselage intended to carry passengers and cargo. The design was not built.

• Brantly 305Five-seat light helicopter1964

  The Brantly 305 was an enlarged derivative of the B-2 intended to accommodate five occupants. It first flew in 1964, received FAA certification in 1965, and entered production that year. The model was later returned to production under Brantly-Hynes.

• 2010Closure of Texas manufacturing plantStrategy

  The Vernon operation had recorded limited helicopter sales in its later years, and the factory was located at Wilbarger County Airport.

  What changed. Brantly closed the Vernon factory and moved engineering and administrative offices to Coppell, Texas.

  Aftermath. Manufacturing of Brantly-designed helicopters was subsequently carried out by Qingdao Haili Helicopters in China.

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• 2007Formation of Qingdao aviation joint ventureM&A

  Brantly International had become connected with Chinese ownership and investment interests.

  What changed. Following Cheng Shenzong’s acquisition of a major interest, Brantly International formed a joint venture with Qingdao Wenquan International Aviation Investment and Qingdao Brantly Investment Consultation.

  Aftermath. The arrangement supported the later shift of Brantly-designed helicopter manufacturing to China.

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• 1989Establishment of Vernon manufacturing baseStrategy

  The company sought a new operating base for Brantly helicopter production after its earlier ownership and location changes.

  What changed. James T. Kimura built a new factory in Vernon, Texas, and renamed the company Brantly International.

  Aftermath. The Vernon plant became the company’s principal American manufacturing site until its closure at the end of 2010.

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• 1975Return from product support to helicopter productionStrategy

  After Brantly’s rights had changed hands, Brantly-Hynes initially concentrated on supporting existing aircraft rather than manufacturing new helicopters.

  What changed. The company resumed production of the B-2 and Brantly 305.

  Aftermath. The decision restored the two established helicopter families to the company’s active manufacturing program.

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• 1966Lear Jet acquisitionM&A

  Brantly Helicopter Corporation had developed certified two-seat and five-seat helicopter programs and operated a substantial manufacturing facility in Oklahoma.

  What changed. Lear Jet acquired Brantly Helicopter Corporation.

  Aftermath. The factory was later moved to Wichita, and the helicopter rights were sold to Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation in 1969.

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• 2010Vernon manufacturing plant closes

  The Brantly factory at Wilbarger County Airport in Vernon, Texas, closed at the end of 2010, and the company moved its engineering and administrative offices to Coppell.

  Other
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• 1996Brantly International obtains FAA production certificate

  Brantly International achieved a Federal Aviation Administration production certificate for its helicopter manufacturing program.

  Regulation
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• 1975Brantly-Hynes returns B-2 and 305 to production

  After a period focused mainly on product support, Brantly-Hynes restored the B-2 and Brantly 305 to production.

  Product generation
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• 1969Brantly helicopter rights transfer to Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation

  Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation acquired the rights to Brantly helicopters from Lear Jet; operations ended in early 1970.

  M&AOther
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• 1966Lear Jet acquires Brantly Helicopter Corporation

  Lear Jet acquired Brantly Helicopter Corporation while the company operated its Frederick, Oklahoma, factory and employed approximately 100 people.

  M&A
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• Qingdao Haili becomes the current manufacturer of the B-2B

  Manufacturing of the Brantly-designed B-2B is carried out by Qingdao Haili Helicopters in China.

  Product generation
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1. Brantly International