Eagle Helicycle: Difference between revisions

Helicycle
	Helicycle N727X at Homer Bell's 22nd Annual Helicopter Fly-in, July 14, 2006
Role	Homebuilt helicopter
Manufacturer	Eagle R&D
Designer	B.J. Schramm
First flight	September, 1997
Number built	85+

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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.

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

Crew: one
Capacity: 351 lb (159 kg)
Length: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
Wingspan: 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m)
Height: 7 ft 4 in (2.23 m)
Wing area: 308 sq ft (28.6 m²)
Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 850 lb (386 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Solar T62-T32 turboshaft, 150 shp (112 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 96 kn (110 mph, 177 km/h)
Cruise speed: 83 kn (95 mph, 153 km/h)
Range: 140 nmi (160 mi, 257 km)
Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,353 m)
Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)

References

^ "Build-it-Yourself Helicopters".
^ "NTSB accident investigation probable cause finding (.pdf)" (PDF).^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Helicycle Specs". Retrieved 2021-05-09.

External links

Helicycle Ventures LLC factory site
Experimental Aircraft Association page about Tom Sled's Helicycle N3722T — completed during the centennial year of the celebration of the Wright brothers' first flight. Sled's first Helicycle flight occurred within five minutes of the 100th anniversary of the Wright's first flight on 17 December 1903.

[1] "Build-it-Yourself Helicopters".

[2] "NTSB accident investigation probable cause finding (.pdf)" (PDF).^{[permanent dead link]}

[3] "Helicycle Specs". Retrieved 2021-05-09.

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 |}
-The '''Helicycle''' is a single-seat, semi-rigid 2 bladed main rotor, helicopter powered by a Solar T62-32 engine. Manufactured by [https://helicycleventures.com/ 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 [[Buford John Schramm|B.J. Schramm]], the founder of [[RotorWay International]].
+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 [[Buford John Schramm|B.J. Schramm]], the founder of [[RotorWay International]].
 ==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 [[Sport utility vehicle|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 CD]]s) or [[DVD]]s, blueprints, and checklists.
+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 [[Sport utility vehicle|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 CD]]s) or [[DVD]]s, blueprints, and checklists.
 ==Design==
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 ==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|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.
+The Helicycle helicopter is the first experimental helicopter kit in mass-production to be powered by a turbine engine, the military surplus [[Solar T62|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 have been delivered to builders, for a total of 160 kits, of which more than 80 have been completed and are flying, with another kit being completed every other month, on average (delivery of a sixth run is 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/build-it-yourself-helicopters-1415177/?all|title=Build-it-Yourself Helicopters}}</ref>  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|date=April 2008}}
+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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/build-it-yourself-helicopters-1415177/?all|title=Build-it-Yourself Helicopters}}</ref> 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|date=April 2008}}
+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 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.  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 [[Electromagnetic interference|radio-frequency interference]] (RFI) problem with the electronic governor, and the issue was reportedly solved with better shielding in 2005.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} 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|date=April 2008}} 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. 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dms.ntsb.gov/aviation/AccidentReports/vv2yei55csbfcenqifmf10na1/R06122011120000.pdf|title=NTSB accident investigation probable cause finding (.pdf)}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
+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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dms.ntsb.gov/aviation/AccidentReports/vv2yei55csbfcenqifmf10na1/R06122011120000.pdf|title=NTSB accident investigation probable cause finding (.pdf)}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
-==Specifications (Helicycle) ==
-{{Aircraft specifications
-<!-- if you do not understand how to use this template, please ask at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aircraft]] -->
-<!-- please answer the following questions -->
-|plane or copter?=copter
-|jet or prop?=prop
-|ref=Eagle R&D<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helicycle.com/Specs/Helicycle%20Turbine%20Specs.htm|title=Helicycle Specs|last=|first=|date=|accessdate=2008-04-13|work=|publisher=}}</ref>
+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 [[Electromagnetic interference|radio-frequency interference]] (RFI) problem with the electronic governor, and the issue was reportedly solved with better shielding in 2005.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} 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|date=April 2008}} 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.
-<!-- Now, fill out the specs.  Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, like capacity, leave it blank. For instructions on using |more general=, |more performance=, |power original=, and |thrust original= see [[Template talk:Aircraft specifications]].  To add a new line, end the old one with a right parenthesis ")", and start a new fully formatted line beginning with * -->
+==Specifications (Helicycle) ==
+{{Aircraft specs
+|prime units? = kts
+|ref=Eagle R&D<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.helicycle.com/specifications|title=Helicycle Specs|accessdate=2021-05-09|publisher=}}</ref>
 |crew= one
+|capacity=351 lb (159 kg)
-|length main= 20 ft 10 in
-|length alt= 6.35 m
+|length ft= 20
-|span main= 19 ft 10 in
+|length in= 10
-|span alt= 6.05 m
+|length m= 6.35
+|span ft= 19
-|height main= 7 ft 4 in
-|height alt= 2.23 m
+|span in= 10
-|area main= 308 ft²
+|span m= 6.05
+|height ft= 7
-|area alt= 28.6 m²
+|height in= 4
-|empty weight main= 500 lb
+|height m= 2.23
-|empty weight alt= 227 kg
-|useful load main= 351 lb
+|wing area sqft= 308
-|useful load alt= 159 kg
+|wing area sqm= 28.6
-|max takeoff weight main= 850 lb
+|empty weight lb= 500
-|max takeoff weight alt= 386 kg
+|empty weight kg= 227
+|max takeoff weight lb= 850
-|more general=
+|max takeoff weight kg= 386
-|engine (prop)= [[Solar T62|Solar T62-T32]]
+|eng1 name= [[Solar T62|Solar T62-T32]]
-|type of prop= turboshaft
+|eng1 type= turboshaft
-|number of props= 1
+|eng1 number= 1
-|power main= 150 shp
-|power alt= 112 kW
+|eng1 shp= 150
+|eng1 kw= 112
-|max speed main= 96 knots
-|max speed alt= 110 mph, 177 km/h
+|max speed kts= 96
-|cruise speed main= 83 knots
+|max speed mph= 110
-|cruise speed alt= 95 mph, 153 km/h
+|max speed kmh= 177
+|cruise speed kts= 83
-|range main= 140 nm
+|cruise speed mph= 95
-|range alt= 160 mi, 257 km
+|cruise speed kmh= 153
-|ceiling main= 11,000 ft
-|ceiling alt= 3353 m
+|range nmi= 140
+|range miles= 160
-|climb rate main= 900 ft/min
+|range km= 257
-|climb rate alt= 4.6 m/s
+|ceiling ft= 11,000
-|more performance=
+|ceiling m= 3353
+|climb rate ftmin= 900
+|climb rate ms= 4.6
 }}
@@ Line 89: / Line 91: @@
 {{Aircontent
-<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
-|related=<!-- related developments -->
+|related=
-|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
+|similar aircraft=
-|lists=<!-- related lists -->
+|lists=
 }}
@@ Line 121: / Line 123: @@
 ==External links==
-==https://helicycleventures.com/ — Helicycle Ventures LLC factory site==
+*[https://helicycleventures.com Helicycle Ventures LLC factory site]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195118/http://www.eaa.org/homebuilders/list/Helicycle_Sled.asp Experimental Aircraft Association page about Tom Sled's Helicycle N3722T] — completed during the centennial year of the celebration of the Wright brothers' first flight. Sled's first Helicycle flight occurred within five minutes of the 100th anniversary of the Wright's first flight on 17 December 1903.
-*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195118/http://www.eaa.org/homebuilders/list/Helicycle_Sled.asp Experimental Aircraft Association Web page about Tom Sled's Helicycle N3722T] — completed during the centennial year of the celebration of the Wright brothers' first flight.  Tom's first Helicycle flight occurred within five minutes of the 100th anniversary of the Wright's first flight on 17 December 1903
 [[Category:1990s United States civil utility aircraft]]
@@ Line 129: / Line 130: @@
 [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]]
 [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1997]]
+[[Category:Single seat helicopters]]