Eagle Helicycle

Last updated
Helicycle
Helicycle N727X Flying.JPG
Helicycle N727X at Homer Bell's 22nd Annual Helicopter Fly-in, July 14, 2006
RoleHomebuilt helicopter
ManufacturerEagle R&D
DesignerB.J. Schramm
First flightSeptember, 1997
Number built85+

The Helicycle is a single-seat, semi-rigid two-bladed main rotor, helicopter powered by a Solar T62-32 engine. Manufactured by Helicycle Ventures LLC in Mesilla, New Mexico as a kit, the aircraft is intended to be assembled by the owner and is considered a homebuilt aircraft. The Helicycle was conceived and designed by B.J. Schramm, the founder of RotorWay International.

Contents

Development

Schramm's concept for the Helicycle was to provide a kit for building a reliable, high-performance, real helicopter for a reasonable cost to individuals (on the order of a mid-priced SUV). Fabrication and assembly skills only require being able to accurately drill holes, bend sheet metal and tubing, install fasteners, run wiring, etc.; no welding or highly specialized aviation-specific tools are required. Kits are delivered in six increments, including the frame and skids, engine, transmission, main rotor subassembly, tail rotor subassembly, controls and linkages, cockpit exterior/interior, and fuel and electrical subsystems. Assembly instructions are provided in the form of video clips on video CDs (Video CDs) or DVDs, blueprints, and checklists.

Design

Specific design features include a fully harmonized rotor, a modulated collective pitch system, very low twice-per-revolution vibration level due to elastomeric thrust bearings, a sufficient flapping angle for low-"G" maneuvers and slope landings, control friction devices, and an electronic throttle control (governor).

The feel of the controls in the Helicycle is modeled after that of the Robinson R22, such that quick stops and autorotations are performed similarly in both aircraft, reportedly allowing new pilots to transition to flying their kits with minimal adjustments.

Operational history

The Helicycle helicopter is the first experimental helicopter kit in mass-production to be powered by a turbine engine, the military surplus Solar T62-T32, capable of producing 150 shaft horsepower. The engine is limited to 95 horsepower due to torque limits on the main gearbox and rotor system.

As of June 2010, five runs of about 30 kits each had been delivered to builders, for a total of 160 kits, of which more than 80 had been completed and were flying, with another kit being completed every other month, on average (delivery of a sixth run was scheduled to start in 2010). A unique feature of the kits is that a factory checkout must be completed by a factory-designated airframe and power plant (A&P) technician and test pilot before the builder is allowed to fly the aircraft. The factory withholds a few critical components needed for flight, such as the main rotor bearings, which the factory representative brings to the checkout. [1] In order to ensure that prospective pilots have the necessary flight skills, builders must have at least a solo endorsement from a certified flight instructor (CFI) for flying a commercially-built Robinson R22 helicopter.[ citation needed ]

The total number of hours accumulated on all Helicycles flying is estimated to be well in excess of 3,000 flight hours, with three fatal accidents, the latest occurring on 28 September 2014 in rural Sumner county, Tennessee.

The NTSB report on the fatal accident indicates extensive damage to the helicopter due to impact with a body of water. An examination of the anti-torque pedal assembly by the NTSB Materials Laboratory revealed that the fracture surface patterns found on it were consistent with a bending overstress separation. It could not be determined whether the overstress condition was the result of a precrash or postcrash event. According to the probable cause report, N3275Q suffered "inflight collision with terrain/water", and "reason for occurrence undetermined - Pilot In Command". [2]

There have been several accidents and incidents where Helicycles have lost power in/near hover, resulting in minor damage to the skids and some airframes, but no serious injuries. Most of these were attributed to a radio-frequency interference (RFI) problem with the electronic governor, and the issue was reportedly solved with better shielding in 2005.[ citation needed ] At least one accident may have been caused by a crack in a fuel line due to lack of mechanical support between a manifold and a fuel injection port.[ citation needed ] Another accident involved flight into high-voltage power distribution wires, but the aircraft was able to fly again, following repairs, and the pilot was not seriously injured.

Specifications (Helicycle)

Data from Eagle R&D [3]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related Research Articles

The CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies in the United States to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 (μ=1), an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and has been inoperable since. It is being replaced by the Carter Personal Air Vehicle.

The Robinson Helicopter Company, based at Zamperini Field in Torrance, California, is an American helicopter manufacturer. As of 2024, Robinson produces three models: the two-seat R22, the four-seat R44, both of which use Lycoming piston engines, and the five-seat R66, which use Rolls-Royce turbine engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robinson R22</span> American helicopter model

The Robinson R22 is a two-seat, two-bladed, single-engined, light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter Company. It was designed in 1973 by Frank D. Robinson, and has been in production since 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robinson R44</span> Family of American light helicopters

The Robinson R44 is a four-seat light helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company since 1992. Derived from the company's two-seat Robinson R22, the R44 features hydraulically assisted flight controls and a larger engine. It was first flown on 31 March 1990 and received FAA certification in December 1992, with the first delivery in February 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 407</span> Civil 7-seat utility helicopter

The Bell 407 is a four-blade, single-engine, civil utility helicopter. A derivative of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger, the 407 uses the four-blade, soft-in-plane design rotor with composite hub developed for the United States Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior instead of the two-blade, semi-rigid, teetering rotor of the 206L-4.

Buford John Schramm, better-known as B.J. Schramm, was a businessman and developer of light personal helicopters. He was killed in the crash of a single-seat helicopter of his own design near Montour, about six miles southwest of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. Schramm founded RotorWay Aircraft in 1961, a kit helicopter manufacturing company. At the time of his death he operated a company called Eagle R&D, based in Caldwell, Idaho, manufacturing a kit helicopter called the Helicycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guimbal Cabri G2</span> Type of aircraft

The Guimbal Cabri G2 is a two-seat light helicopter produced by Hélicoptères Guimbal, and powered by a reciprocating engine. Designed by Bruno Guimbal, a former Eurocopter engineer, it had its origins in the 1980s, and the first demonstrator flew in 1992. Following the granting of regulatory approval, the Cabri entered commercial service in 2008. In addition to its use within the general aviation sector and as a training rotorcraft, the Cabri G2 has also been used as the basis for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyrodyne RON Rotorcycle</span> Experimental US Navy & Marine Corps helicopter

The Gyrodyne RON Rotorcycle was a tiny, single-seat helicopter designed under contract for the United States Navy. in the mid-1950s. It later was redesigned for a U.S. Marine Corps requirement for a small personal helicopter that would fulfill an array of roles, including observation, liaison, small unit tactical maneuvers, and which could be dropped to downed airmen behind enemy lines to facilitate their escape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolution Mini-500</span> American kit helicopter

The Revolution Mini-500 is a 1990s American single-seat light helicopter, designed and built by Revolution Helicopter Corporation as a kit for homebuilding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar T62</span> Type of aircraft

The Solar T62 Titan is an American gas turbine engine used mainly as a aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU), conventional power generator, turboprop engine for fixed-wing aircraft or turboshaft engine for helicopters. A new turbine version was developed as the Solar T66.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Home Rotors Safari</span> Type of aircraft

The Canadian Home Rotors Safari is a kit helicopter, produced by CHR International of Marianna, Florida, and formerly produced by Safari Helicopter of Ear Falls, Ontario.

The Famà Kiss 209M is an Italian ultralight two-seat helicopter, built from composite materials around a steel frame and with an optional retractable undercarriage. The moniker "Kiss" stands for "keep it stupidly simple", reflecting the philosophy of its designer, Nino Famà.

The RotorWay Helicopter Manufacturing Company, formerly called RotorWay International, was a manufacturer of kit helicopters located in Chandler, Arizona, United States. The company was founded by B.J. Schramm in 1961 as RotorWay Aircraft. RotorWay International was bought February 14, 2007 by a small group of investors comprising the company's upper-level management – Grant Norwitz, CEO, Bill Adams, COO, and Judy Craven, CFO. Of these, only Norwitz was still with the company in mid-2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 525 Relentless</span> American medium-lift helicopter

The Bell 525 Relentless is an American super-medium-lift helicopter, under development by Bell Textron. The Bell 525 was unveiled at the 2012 Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas in February 2012. The helicopter first flew on 1 July 2015. It is designed to transport up to 19 passengers. The aircraft is the first fly-by-wire civilian aircraft and suffered a crash of its prototype, and is still slowly working towards certification. As of 2024 Bell is still working towards completing flight certification but already has its first order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CHI KC 518 Adventourer</span> Type of aircraft

The Composite Helicopters International KC 518 Adventourer is a composite fuselage, 5-6 place turbine kit helicopter.

The Hillberg Turbine Exec is an American helicopter turbine engine conversion kit for the piston-engined Rotorway Exec. It was designed and produced by Hillberg Helicopters of Fountain Valley, California. Now out of production, when it was available the kit was supplied for installation by amateur aircraft builders.

The Auroa Helicopters Auroa is a New Zealand helicopter designed and produced by Auroa Helicopters Limited of Manaia, Taranaki, introduced in 2013. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

The LAE Ultrasport 496T is a Cypriot helicopter that was produced by LAE Helicopters Cyprus of Larnaca. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

The Winner B150 is a Belgian helicopter that was designed and produced by Winner SBS of Dinant. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly-aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curti Zefhir</span> Italian two-seat turbine helicopter

The Curti Zefhir is a two-seat light-single turbine-powered recreational or trainer helicopter designed and produced by Italian aircraft manufacturer Curti Aerospace. Development was partly funded by the European Commission. It performed its maiden flight in 2017 and was commercially launched at the April 2018 AERO Friedrichshafen. Curti aim to secure type certification of the Zefhir as an ultralight aircraft.

References

  1. ↑ "Build-it-Yourself Helicopters".
  2. ↑ "NTSB accident investigation probable cause finding (.pdf)" (PDF).[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Helicycle Specs" . Retrieved 2021-05-09.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.