A Kit Helicopter with Superior Engineering
The Hummingbird is a single engine, single three-bladed main rotor type helicopter, with a tail rotor. The fuselage is made of aluminum and composites. The Hummingbird is powered by a six cylinder aviation aircraft engine. The transmission system consists of a clutch/freewheel unit between the engine and main gearbox, a main driveshaft extending from the top of the main gearbox to the main rotorhead, and a take-off drive from the main gearbox which drives the tail rotor driveshaft, intermediate gearbox and tail rotor assembly. These parts are manufactured to strict FAA design standards.
With Plenty of Room for Four and More
The Hummingbird cabin sits comfortably four large people. The cabin is 55 inches wide, 56 inches high from floor to ceiling, and 110 inches in length. Two baggage areas 15” L x 20” W x 13” H are located under the forward two seats. Fly four people comfortably or two people, 375 miles, with 220 lbs. of camping gear.
Make the Kit an Easy Project
The many prefabricated components of the Hummingbird make the kit an easy project for the first time builder. The average build time of only 1200 hours is one of the lowest in the kit helicopter industry. There is no welding or composite work, only minor fabrication, and all major components are pre-assembled. The rotor blades for example come to you painted, balanced, and ready for installation. These blades have 7 degrees of twist to enhance performance.
The Most Complete Helicopter Kit
The Hummingbird helicopter kit is assembled in 14 easy to follow sections. The first section consists of building the lower cabin. In this section, you will learn about real aircraft sheet metal fabrication and aircraft assembly. In the next section you will receive the upper cabin assembled. After fitting the upper and lower cabin together, you’re off and running! The landing gear is next, and then the nose. Flight controls, electrical components, instrumentation and fuel systems are next for installation. The tailcone section is supplied assembled by the technicians at Vertical Aviation Technologies to assure uniformity. The powerplant and gearboxes are assembled for installation when you receive them. The main rotor blades and tail rotor blades will then come to you completely ready to install. They will have been painted and pre-balanced at our factory. After rigging all the flight controls and cables, and calculating the Hummingbird’s weight and balance, it’s ready to fly.
THE FEATURES
Fully Articulated Rotor Head: This three bladed system is exceptionally smooth, with excellent auto-rotation characteristics.
Spacious Four Passenger Cabin: Quiet and very comfortable with an incredible 1000 lb useful payload.
Dependable IO540 Cold Air Induction Aviation Engine
Fiberglass Nose with FAA approved windshield.
Tail Rotor: Carbon fiber twisted 8°, asymmetrical with noise reducing swept tips.
Baggage compartment – 9 sq feet located under front seats
Sunroof
- Fully Articulated Rotor Head: This three bladed system is exceptionally smooth, with excellent auto-rotation characteristics.
- Spacious Four Passenger Cabin: Quiet and very comfortable with an incredible 1000 lb useful payload.
- Dependable IO540 Cold Air Induction Aviation Engine
- Wheeled Landing Gear: Improved performance during take-off, landing and taxi operations. This is typically a feature only found on million dollar helicopters.
- Fiberglass Nose with FAA approved windshield.
- Tail Rotor: Carbon fiber twisted 8°, asymmetrical with noise reducing swept tips.
- Baggage compartment – 9 sq feet located under front seats
- Airframe – Based on a FAA certified design
- Self engaging clutch/rotor
- Rotorbrake
- Sunroof
- Electric cyclic trim
| RANGE | 380 MILES |
| MAXIMUM SPEED (VNE) | 110 MPH |
| RATE OF CLIMB | 1250 F.P.M. AT 2300 LBS |
| RATE OF CLIMB | 950 F.P.M. AT 2800 LBS |
| SERVICE CEILING | 14000 |
| POWERPLANT | IO-540 320 H.P. derated to 280 |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION | 16 GAL/HR |
| GROSS WEIGHT | 2850 LBS |
| EMPTY WEIGHT | 1850 LBS (with interior) |
| USEFUL LOAD | 1000 LBS (with interior) |
| FUEL CAPACITY | 57 GALLONS U.S. |
| MAX CREW | 1 |
| MAX PASSENGERS | 3 |
POWERPLANT SPECIFICATIONS
| POWERPLANT MODEL | LYCOMING 6 CYLINDER IO-540 WITH COLD AIR INDUCTION |
| RATED POWERPLANT HORSEPOWER | 320 H.P. DERATED TO 280 H.P. |
| OPERATING R.P.M. | 3000 TO 3275 |
| FUEL | 93 OCTANE UP TO 100LL |
| MAIN ROTOR R.P.M. | 260 TO 350 |