Adams-Wilson Hobbycopter

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Hobbycopter
HobbyCopter, Adam-Wilson Helicopters, Inc., Lakewood, California - Oregon Air and Space Museum - Eugene, Oregon - DSC09715.jpg
HobbyCopter in the Oregon Air and Space Museum
RoleSingle seat homebuilt helicopter
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Vortech
DesignerAdams-Wilson
First flightNovember 1958
Variants A-B Helicopters A/W 95
Vortech A/W 95
Showers Skytwister Choppy

The Adams-Wilson Hobbycopter (later named the Adams-Wilson Choppy) is a small, single-seat, open-framework helicopter designed for homebuilding, to be powered by a motorcycle engine.

Helicopter Type of rotor craft in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward, and laterally. These attributes allow helicopters to be used in congested or isolated areas where fixed-wing aircraft and many forms of VTOL aircraft cannot perform.

Homebuilt aircraft planes constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity

Homebuilt aircraft, also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.

Motorcycle two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle

A motorcycle, often called a bike, motorbike, or cycle, is a two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long distance travel, commuting, cruising, sport including racing, and off-road riding. Motorcycling is riding a motorcycle and related social activity such as joining a motorcycle club and attending motorcycle rallies.

Contents

Design and development

The Adams-Wilson company was formed by T.G. Adams and Paul Wilson to market plans for a simple single-seat helicopter named the HobbyCopter, of which they have built a prototype. This prototype flew successfully for the first time in November 1958. Plans were first marketed in 1958 and have been revised and revived by various designers over the years.

The Hobbycopter, (also colloquially known as the Flying Triumph), was designed to use commonly found materials that were readily available to customers. The Hobbycopter was designed to use a motorcycle engine of about 50 hp (37 kW) and a variety engines have been used, including a snowmobile motor and more recently, an ultralight 2-cycle Rotax 503 engine developing 52 hp (39 kW).

Motorcycle engine

A motorcycle engine is an engine that powers a motorcycle. Motorcycle engines are typically two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engines, but other engine types, such as Wankels and electric motors, have been used.

Snowmobile land vehicle designed for winter travel on snow

A snowmobile, also known as a motor sled, motor sledge, skimobile, snowscooter, or snowmachine, is a motorised vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow. It is designed to be operated on snow and ice and does not require a road or trail, but most are driven on open terrain or trails. Snowmobiling is a sport that many people have taken on as a serious hobby.

Rotax 503 two-stroke engine

The Rotax 503 is a 37 kW (50 hp), inline 2-cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, built by BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG of Austria for use in ultralight aircraft.

The aircraft is available in the form of plans and some key parts for amateur construction from Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. [1]

Vortech, Inc. is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Fallston, Maryland. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of rotorcraft in the form of plans and kits for amateur construction. Some of their designs also comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as well.

Fallston, Maryland Census-designated place in Maryland, United States

Fallston is a census-designated place (CDP) in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 8,958 at the 2010 census, up from 8,427 at the 2000 census. It is a semi-rural community consisting mostly of farms and suburban-like developments.

Variants

Hobbycopter XH-1
The prototype of the one-man open framework homebuilt helicopter powered by a 34 hp (25 kW) Triumph motorcycle engine.
Hobbycopter 101
Production version of the XH-1 offered as a kit for $900, or as plans for $35 to homebuilders.
Hobbycopter 102
Strengthened Model 101 with 34 hp (25 kW) Triumph and a fibre-glass cockpit enclosure.

Specifications (Hobbycopter 101)

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 74 kn; 137 km/h (85 mph)
  • Service ceiling: 8,500 ft (2,600 m)
  • Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (4.8 m/s)

See also

Related development

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References

  1. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851