Brantly International
An American helicopter manufacturer whose Brantly-designed aircraft are now manufactured in China.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
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.
History
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.
- 2010
Vernon factory closes
[1]The Wilbarger County Airport factory closes at the end of the year, and engineering and administrative functions move to Coppell, Texas.
- 2007
Chinese joint venture is established
[1]After Cheng Shenzong acquires a major interest, Brantly International participates in a joint venture with Qingdao aviation investment companies.
- 1996
FAA production certificate is achieved
[1]Brantly International obtains an FAA production certificate.
- 1994
Ownership transfers to FESCO
[1]Ownership is transferred to Beijing-based FESCO.
- 1989
Vernon factory is built and Brantly International name is adopted
[1]A new factory is built in Vernon, Texas, and the company adopts the Brantly International name under James T. Kimura.
- 1975
Company becomes Brantly-Hynes Helicopter
[1]The business is renamed Brantly-Hynes Helicopter Inc.; later that year Franklin Capital Corporation purchases it.
- 1972
Brantly rights are acquired by Brantly Operators
[1]Michael K. Hynes acquires the rights through Brantly Operators Inc.
- 1969
Factory moves to Wichita and helicopter rights are sold
[1]The manufacturing facility moves from Frederick to Wichita, and Aeronautical Research & Development Corporation acquires the Brantly helicopter rights from Lear Jet.
- 1966
Lear Jet acquires the company
[1]Lear Jet acquires Brantly Helicopter Corporation.
- 1965
Brantly 305 enters production
[1]The 305 receives FAA certification and enters production during the same year.
Products and positioning
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.
Experimental helicopter · 1946
Brantly B-1
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.
Two-seat light helicopter · 1953
Brantly B-2
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.
Two-seat light helicopter
Brantly B-2A
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.
Two-seat light helicopter
Brantly B-2B
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.
Projected tandem-rotor helicopter
Brantly B-2J10
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.
Five-seat light helicopter · 1964
Brantly 305
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.
Brand decisions
2010
Closure of Texas manufacturing plantStrategyBackground
The Vernon operation had recorded limited helicopter sales in its later years, and the factory was located at Wilbarger County Airport.
Action taken
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.
2007
Formation of Qingdao aviation joint ventureM&ABackground
Brantly International had become connected with Chinese ownership and investment interests.
Action taken
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.
1989
Establishment of Vernon manufacturing baseStrategyBackground
The company sought a new operating base for Brantly helicopter production after its earlier ownership and location changes.
Action taken
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.
1975
Return from product support to helicopter productionStrategyBackground
After Brantly’s rights had changed hands, Brantly-Hynes initially concentrated on supporting existing aircraft rather than manufacturing new helicopters.
Action taken
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.
1966
Lear Jet acquisitionM&ABackground
Brantly Helicopter Corporation had developed certified two-seat and five-seat helicopter programs and operated a substantial manufacturing facility in Oklahoma.
Action taken
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.
Sources1 sources
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