Interesting light helicopter

[PTKay]

Just found, looks interesting:

http://www.famahelicopters.com

[Captainzim]

Hi PTKay
We are waiting for this one we like the concept hope it gets off the ground could be a nice 2 seat trainer instead of the R22. Not getting a lot of info here in US if you come across anything over there please pass along. I believe its German made first test flight last year but nothing more.
www.youngcopter.com

[Ronnie328]

i'm not a helicopter pilot. I've never even taken a ride in one. I'm curious though. Is there that much benefit in retractable gear?

[BEN S]

About five knots according to their flyer.

[StanFoster]

Ronnie- Round pipe is terrible aerodynamically. Just streamlining mine gained over 4 mph. Stan

[Ronnie328]

Stan, i think that's my point. You streamlined and got 4 mph, the retractable gear can give 5 kts. Is landing gear that can fail worth an extra 1.5ish mph over just streamlined fixed landing gear?

[WaspAir]

Looks like 8 - 9+ kts from their chart here:

http://www.famahelicopters.com/index...mid=70&lang=en

which is more like 10 mph gain over skids.

Depending on the type of operations you do, wheels can offer advantages of their own, whether retracting or not (easy hangar in-out and fuel pump approach, low downwash neighbor-friendly surface taxi, easy run-on landings when high/hot, etc.), so one might see more than just a speed advantage from that gear.

[RotorTom]

Looks promising ... and the price is right considering the competition.

[kolibri282]

Quite interesting they opted for a belt reduction drive:
http://www.famahelicopters.com/compo...1115318698.jpg

from here:
http://www.famahelicopters.com/index...ng=en#category

Perhaps to decouple the turbine from rotor vibrations?

[JAL]

I like that they named it KISS saying it stood for keep it simple stupid and then have retracting gear and electronic controls.

That doesn't seem simple to me but then again I am stupid.

[PTKay]

Originally Posted by WaspAir

... so one might see more than just a speed advantage from that gear.

I fully agree.

[Ronnie328]

Originally Posted by WaspAir

Looks like 8 - 9+ kts from their chart here:

http://www.famahelicopters.com/index...mid=70&lang=en

which is more like 10 mph gain over skids.

Depending on the type of operations you do, wheels can offer advantages of their own, whether retracting or not (easy hangar in-out and fuel pump approach, low downwash neighbor-friendly surface taxi, easy run-on landings when high/hot, etc.), so one might see more than just a speed advantage from that gear.

Thanks Wasp, those are great things to consider.