Vertical Hummingbird

Hummingbird
Role Helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Vertical Aviation Technologies
Introduction 1991
Status In production (2013)
Unit cost
US$138,600 (2011)
Developed from Sikorsky S-52

The Vertical Hummingbird is an American helicopter, produced by Vertical Aviation Technologies of Sanford, Florida that was introduced in 1991. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2]

Design and development

The Hummingbird is a development of the certified Sikorsky S-52 that first flew in 1947, adapted to kit form. The aircraft features a single main rotor, a four-seat enclosed cabin, quadracycle landing gear and a choice of two powerplants.[1] The prototype was converted by Vertical Aviation Technologies from a Sikorsky S-52-3.[3]

The Hummingbird fuselage is made from riveted aluminum sheet. The nose section is adapted from the Bell 206. Its 33 ft (10.1 m) diameter fully articulated three-bladed main rotor employs a NACA 0015 airfoil. The two-bladed tail rotor has a diameter of 5.75 ft (1.8 m). The aircraft has an empty weight of 1,850 lb (839 kg) and a gross weight of 2,800 lb (1,270 kg), giving a useful load of 950 lb (431 kg). With full fuel of 57 U.S. gallons (220 L; 47 imp gal) the payload is 608 lb (276 kg).[1][4][5]

Variants

VAT S-52-3
Prototype of the Hummingbird family, converted from an original Sikorsky S-52-3.[3]
Hummingbird 260L.
Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition 265 hp (198 kW) Lycoming IVO-435 engine[5]
Hummingbird 300LS
Version powered by an eight cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-ignition 325 hp (242 kW) General Motors LS7 V-8 automotive conversion engine, derated to 280 hp (209 kW)[6]

Specifications (Hummingbird 260L)

Data from Bayerl and Vertical Aviation[1][5]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Home of the four passenger Hummingbird". Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  3. 1 2 John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 495. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  4. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Hummingbird 260L". Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  6. Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Hummingbird 300LS". Retrieved 14 February 2013.
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