Contents.Design and development The aircraft was designed long before the adoption of the US rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg), but nonetheless complies with them. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 150 lb (68 kg) and is billed as the 'World's Tiniest Homebuilt Helicopter' by the plans supplier. It features a single and, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield, with main wheels and nose skid and a twin cylinder, air-cooled, single-ignition 40 hp (30 kW) aircraft engine or snowmobile engine. The 50 hp (37 kW) can also be used.The aircraft is made from bolted-together tubing. Its main rotor is 12 ft (3.7 m) in diameter.
Fuel capacity is 5 U.S. Gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal).The plans supplier notes this warning:Vortech offers the G-1 plans as a curiosity for those interested in homebuilt helicopters because of its intriguing size and simplicity; however, Vortech has no direct experience with either the design or flight of this model and so cannot and does not endorse this as a proven aircraft. While people have reported building and flying this model, it appears that most of those flying versions were variations or enhancements of the original design. Specifications (G-1) Data from Cliche, Vortech and KitplanesGeneral characteristics. Crew: one.
Width: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m). Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m). Empty weight: 150 lb (68 kg). Gross weight: 420 lb (191 kg). Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. Gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal).
Powerplant: 1 × twin cylinder, air-cooled, single-ignition, 40 hp (30 kW). Main rotor diameter: × 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m). Main rotor area: 113 sq ft (10.5 m 2)Performance. Maximum speed: 80 mph (130 km/h, 70 kn). Cruise speed: 45 mph (72 km/h, 39 kn). Range: 60 mi (97 km, 52 nmi). Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m).
Homemade Ultralight Helicopter Plans
Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s). Disk loading: 3.72 lb/sq ft (18.2 kg/m 2)References.