Vertical Hummingbird

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]

Hummingbird
Role Helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Vertical Aviation Technologies
Introduction 1991
Status In production (2013)
Developed from Sikorsky S-52

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

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: three passengers
  • Width: 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)
  • Airfoil: NACA 0015
  • Empty weight: 1,850 lb (839 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,800 lb (1,270 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 57 US gallons (47 imp gal; 220 l)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IVO-435 six cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 265 hp (198 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Range: 375 mi (604 km, 326 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
  • Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (4.8 m/s) at 2,800 lb (1,270 kg)

References
  1. 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. 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. Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Hummingbird 260L". Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  6. Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Hummingbird 300LS". Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
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