The XH-44 achieved many firsts. It was the first successful coaxial rotor helicopter to fly in America, the first to use all metal rotor blades, and the first helicopter to be built on the West Coast. The coaxial rotor system has two sets of rotor blades – one mounted over the other and turning in opposite directions. Mr. Hiller chose this unique design to eliminate the need for an anti-torque tail rotor, which can use as much as 10% of the power from the engine.

Mr. Hiller felt the added power to the lifting rotors was a better design idea. The second public demonstration was held in San Francisco on August 30, 1944, at the Marina Green near the bay. Hundreds of spectators, including government dignitaries and military observers, witnessed this historic event. They were impressed watching the XH-44 hover, fly vertically, and fly sideways, mimicking the hummingbird’s flight. The successful XH-44 led to the development of many other Hiller helicopter designs.