A Helicopter for the Price of a Gyrocopter

[Rotor Rooter]

The linked web page Simple Electric Ultralight Helicopter outlines a low cost helicopter. It is basically a gyrocopter without the engine and propeller, but, with a large electric pre-rotor and a pilot controlled collective blade pitch.

This rotorcraft may make for an interesting R & D experimental project today, plus become more and more practical as the advances of electric vehicles continues.


A serious discussion on the functional probability of this rotorcraft will be appreciated.

Dave

[scottessex]

I like the part with the 1200ft extension cord, I don't think you could make FAR103 with todays current battery technology, too heavy.

[Rotor Rooter]

I don't think you could make FAR103 with todays current battery technology, too heavy.

Maybe the battery would not be included in the FAR103 empty weight. Five gallons of battery.

Agreed. A long flight time using today's battery and fuel cell technology would be very heavy and expensive; but tomorrow's

Dave

[aerodynamicdon]

We won't mount the batteries in the aircraft. There will be a huge stack of them in the battery 'follow van'. connected to the gyro with a long extention cord (tether). Get to work on this. And don't we wish solar arrays were more efficient?

[aerodynamicdon]

-should have read the article with more care. Never mind.

[quadrirotor]

Just for reference:

http://www.icon.fi/%7Ejtki/elgyro.html

[Rotor Rooter]

Quadrirotor,

Thanks for the link.

Interestingly, a link to Hughey Electricopter Corporation had been posted to you on the thread [Very light homebuilt helicopter, post #10].

Last week the following e-mail was received;

"Dave,
I’m flattered that you actually put a message with a link to our “placeholder” web page on RotaryForum.com.

Frankly, we’re still in stealth mode, but “the cat will be out of the bag” so-to-speak when our first U.S. Patent Application is published by the USPTO in November.

As the name would suggest, the full-size (part 103) flying proof-of-concept prototype is all electric, fly-by-wire, and nothing like anyone has ever seen before.

We won’t be ready for a public demonstration until next spring, as we’re still doing IGE control trimming and the Chicago weather is not kind in the winter.

Since multiple rotors is your thing, I think you’ll want to kick yourself when you see it. The miracle is how cheaply we can crank these out (although the production prototype is a year away).

Let the revolution begin!

Regards,

Brad Hughey
Founder & CEO
Hughey Electricopter Corporation"

An all-electric VTOL craft for $10,000 dollars sounds intriguing.

No specific details have been given and the patent that protects Mr. Hughey's idea has been filed. Therefore, the above general parameters represent an interesting technical challenge.

This thread is an attempt to develop a craft that can comply with these parameters. At this point, it is looking like it can be done.

I have assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that others on this forum who are technical disposed would enjoy working toward the possibility of a low cost and reliable recreational helicopter.


Dave

[bwhughey]

Hello All,

International IP laws being what they are, I am limited as to what I can say before the US application is officially published. I did not really intend for this to become a "coming out" venue. Nor do I imagine the moderator would tolerate much self-promotion, even if I were so inclined.

Jokes about extension cords aside, there is no getting around the energy density of fossil fuel. Our E-copter POC prototype is all electric; the production unit will be a hybrid - precisely for extended flight time considerations.

That said, the capability of lithium polymer technology might surprise you. It is, however, around 5X as expensive per watt/hour capacity as nickel metal hydride, albeit at one-third the weight. Rest assured that automotive companies are pouring billions into figuring this all out for us going forward.

I have reason to believe that the next few years will include some exciting developments in personal aviation. I am personally committed to producing "The Helicopter For The Rest of Us", although Steven Jobs might take exception to that metaphor.


Regards,

Brad

[quadrirotor]

Just for reference:

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2188

[Rotor Rooter]

quadrirotor,

Was your link to Kestrel Aerospace a premonition?
See their web page.

Down the toilet? ~ The aerodynamic inefficiencies of a propeller mounted on a rotating blade, combined with the intrinsic inefficiency of the rotating blade may make my idea unattractive.

Dave

[quadrirotor]

Dave, i saw their web site. I know i am gifted! but i don't think i have the gift of premonition ...What i think, and tell, is only the results of my knowledge and wiseness!!! ) i am also very humble!!! :0

Every time i think i have a good idea, i look for the wheel of misfortune!!!

http://www.vstol.org/

[Rotor Rooter]

Every time i think i have a good idea, i look for the wheel of misfortune!!!

Every time I think I have a good idea, I invariably find fault.
However, after sufficient regurgitation, the occasional (very occasional) one works its way through.

After a couple of noted modification to the location and diameter of the propellers, this idea MIGHT be looking a little more attractive.


The ability of an end-user to make the frame for a Ultralight gyrocopter from plans, and then basically bolt on a pair of purchased blade assemblies (blade c/w motor, controller and propeller) should be an attractive one; assuming that the blade assembly was reliable and economical.

[Rotor Rooter]

Here is another idea to provoke thought.

It is simply the single blade concept used on a pair of blades.
Its disadvantage is the need to counter the rotor's torque.

Dave


Perhaps it's time to get back to more practical things, such as contemplating whether a NF or a NC nut should be used on a NC bolt.

[quadrirotor]

Here you have the gas-engine version, with counter-rotating blades, so no need for more reaction device other than a small vane in the back!!!:

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7144

[karlbamforth]

No real need for two blades. Bolkow built this single bladed heli that flew fine.

If a piston engine or electric motor driving a prop replaced the balance weight there would be no need for a tail rotor.

Can't remember who it was, but someone suggested a small electric motor attached to the main shaft would provide yaw control by applying drag or drive to the shaft.

The lower pic is a flight simulator as they only built single seaters to start with.