Adams-Wilson Hobbycopter Explained

The Adams-Wilson Hobbycopter (later named the Adams-Wilson Choppy) is a small, single-seat, open-framework helicopter designed for homebuilding, to be powered by a motorcycle engine.

Design and development

The Adams-Wilson company was formed by T.G. Adams and Paul Wilson to market plans for a simple single-seat helicopter named the HobbyCopter, of which they have built a prototype. This prototype flew successfully for the first time in November 1958. Plans were first marketed in 1958 and have been revised and revived by various designers over the years.

The Hobbycopter, (also colloquially known as the Flying Triumph), was designed to use commonly found materials that were readily available to customers. The Hobbycopter was designed to use a motorcycle engine of about 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a variety engines have been used, including a snowmobile motor and more recently, an ultralight 2-cycle Rotax 503 engine developing 52abbr=onNaNabbr=on.

The aircraft is available in the form of plans and some key parts for amateur construction from Vortech of Fallston, Maryland.[1]

Variants

Hobbycopter XH-1: The prototype of the one-man open framework homebuilt helicopter powered by a 34abbr=onNaNabbr=on Triumph motorcycle engine.
  • Hobbycopter 101:Production version of the XH-1 offered as a kit for $900, or as plans for $35 to homebuilders.
  • Hobbycopter 102:Strengthened Model 101 with 34abbr=onNaNabbr=on Triumph and a fibre-glass cockpit enclosure.
  • Notes and References

    1. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851