Jsta22 Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 (edited) doing a little research for one of my future goals of owning my own helicopter, i stumbled across a 4 seater helicopter called the hummingbird 260L by aviation technologies inc.. Upon further reading, hear that this was designed by Sikorsky and was going to be certified for commercial use! All parts were tested and given time lilfe limits, just like the real thing, only they instead for some reason decided to sell them as kits to the public?? Anyone ever hear of these? and experience in one? Only one video i can find as of yet on youtube, besides the grainy one on the main website of the company. It looks really appealing! and a fraction of the cost of obtaining an R44. I'm real keen on the 3 blade fully articulated rotor system too!! Would love to hear your guys feedback on one! Edited October 30, 2009 by Jsta22 Quote
RotorWeed Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 It is based on the Sikorsky S-52 production helicopter. http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/sik_s-52.php Quote
500E Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 http://www.vertical-aviation.com/index.php Quote
Jsta22 Posted October 29, 2009 Author Posted October 29, 2009 http://www.vertical-aviation.com/index.php Yea, this is the website i have been on frequently.. Thanks! Its a good amount of info, and very promising, i was just wondering if anyone had any experience with one of these helicopters. They look pretty safe and economical! Quote
svtcobra66 Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 I actually got a chance to fly one, and was pretty impressed. Decent performance, though it is old technology and the transmission is VERY loud, so make sure to invest in high-quality headsets. I found the cyclic was strange to fly with as it was pretty far out in front of the pilot, but a little practice and it wasn't so bad. Also it isn't the quickest bird, but as far as experimental helicopters go, I think it's the best choice out there. Quote
Goldy Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 I don't know. Don't you think we've learned a thing or two about helo design in the last 60 years? I try not to fly too many ships that are older than I am. So far, I've only flown one. Goldy Quote
svtcobra66 Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 Just because it's old doesn't mean it isn't a great helicopter. I miss flying the Bell47 D1 I had my initial training in, and that was built in the 50's and had wood blades. It still autos better than anything else its size even after all these years. Quote
delorean Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 This is the only experimental helicopter I would get in. I saw one at Heli-Expo 3-4 years ago. Looked pretty cool! Lots of room and economical for a [somewhat] certified aircraft. Quote
Jsta22 Posted October 30, 2009 Author Posted October 30, 2009 I don't know. Don't you think we've learned a thing or two about helo design in the last 60 years? I try not to fly too many ships that are older than I am. So far, I've only flown one. Goldy I dunno Goldy... Buddy of mine is a pilot for News channel (ABC) and flies an Astar.. i believe he said its an 83' model year? I've seen Twin Stars only a few yrs old, Same rotor and airframe design, maybe just upgraded aviaonics or instruments, and obviously the twin engines. But other than that, His ship flies flawlessly every day! (obviously keeping up with the abundance of maintenance these things take to be that flawless) I would like to see one or a few of these hummingbirds somewhere in action, possibly ride in one? I'm kinda new to the industry,(about 65 hrs R22 and have been ready, just about to take my private checkride and move right on to instrument) But where do people go to see these guys in action, I keep hearing of i guess what seems to be a helicopter show? OshKosh?? Some FlyIns?? Clue me in will ya?haha Quote
Kandace Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 But where do people go to see these guys in action, I keep hearing of i guess what seems to be a helicopter show? OshKosh?? Some FlyIns?? Clue me in will ya?haha I go to OSH every year and the # is helicopters there is minimal at best, I've never seen a Hummingbird there. Contact the company and see if they can put you in touch with some builders/owners. Kandace Quote
500E Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 "I try not to fly too many ships that are older than I am. So far, I've only flown one." So you have flown the 500 then goldy :lol: Quote
Goldy Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 Just because it's old doesn't mean it isn't a great helicopter. I miss flying the Bell47 D1 I had my initial training in, and that was built in the 50's and had wood blades. It still autos better than anything else its size even after all these years. Actually, the one ship I mentioned was in fact, a B47G2. It also has original wood blades. Fun to fly, love to fly it, great in the auto, but not the ship I would want to do much CC time in! Goldy Quote
bossman Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 Goldy,I don't guess you do not want to fly a Huey, S-55, S-58, FH1100, Bell 47, or a lot of the Bell Jet Rangers that are probably older than you are. The technology in aircraft has not advanced very far as far as operating systems go. Granted the panels have improved quite a bit, but you still see some of the old indicators backing up the glass displays. The industry hesitates to spend the money on certifying new systems for aircraft when the old works so well. If the maintenance is kept up these machines will fly forever. Quote
beckwith Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 Goldy,I don't guess you do not want to fly a Huey, S-55, S-58, FH1100, Bell 47, or a lot of the Bell Jet Rangers that are probably older than you are. Goldy could fly those. He said older then him so we are pretty much just steering clear of the that Leonardo DaVinci flying ship thing. Just messing Goldy. Quote
Goldy Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 (edited) Goldy,I don't guess you do not want to fly a Huey, S-55, S-58, FH1100, Bell 47, or a lot of the Bell Jet Rangers that are probably older than you are. Man, you must think I'm a spring pup! Jet rangers weren't around until the 60's, I already said I fly the 47, and technically the Huey didnt get into military service until 1959..( which just makes my list!). Just last week I was in an H3 designed 50 years ago, and I wasnt even looking for enemy subs! (my life was in another capable pilots hands on that one). I'd love to fly the 58, or even a 58T, (actually I love the sound of that big radial in the 58) but if I was in the market to buy a helicopter, I probably wouldnt be looking at models that are 50 or 60 years old...unless nothing better has come around. Even a Ranger had multiple revisions before the 206B3 came around. Not trying to knock the old designs...but...we have come a long way since then. Even a huey can get a facelift with the new Huey II products out there. Do you not think that an AW 139 is just an awesome capable ship? Something we could not even dream of 50 years ago? Would you rather have a Huey or a 412 designed twenty years later? I know often times it is also a money proposition, hard to come up $10M for a 139...but that doesnt make it any less awesome of a capable helicopter. I wouldn't turn down a flight in any airworthy ship, even Da Vinci's. Goldy Edited October 31, 2009 by Goldy Quote
bossman Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 The Huey was, and still is, the only real helicopter ever built. Quote
jkfv01 Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 doing a little research for one of my future goals of owning my own helicopter, i stumbled across a 4 seater helicopter called the hummingbird 260L by aviation technologies inc.. Upon further reading, hear that this was designed by Sikorsky and was going to be certified for commercial use! All parts were tested and given time lilfe limits, just like the real thing, only they instead for some reason decided to sell them as kits to the public?? Anyone ever hear of these? and experience in one? Only one video i can find as of yet on youtube, besides the grainy one on the main website of the company. It looks really appealing! and a fraction of the cost of obtaining an R44. I'm real keen on the 3 blade fully articulated rotor system too!! Would love to hear your guys feedback on one! I own a Hummingbird 260L Please check out my facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Hummingbird-Helicopter-By-Vertical-Aviation/192234636154?ref=ts Quote
Goldy Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 The Huey was, and still is, the only real helicopter ever built. Allright- challenge accepted! Fly that one out here and we'll take her for a spin. It's been in so many movies it probably misses Hollywood anyway! Goldy Quote
500E Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 139 = !0m$ and still bits fall off, http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?cati...ail&id=3782 http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/unusual-...ude/helicopter/ Quote
Goldy Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 I own a Hummingbird 260L Please check out my facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Hummingbird-Helicopter-By-Vertical-Aviation/192234636154?ref=ts I'm curious how many 260L's are currently flying? Quote
Tim99 Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 In 2000 we had a Sikorsky S-52 at Vertical Challenge. We also had Sergei Sikorsky do a talk. Later Sergei looked over the helicopter and had a long talk with the owner. After some coaxing, the owner allowed one of the pilots from Classic Rotors Museum to hover the S-52.The owner sold the helicopter to the Sikorsky Company. It was moved to Florida and was going to be restored by some retired Sikorsky employees. Tim McIntosh Quote
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