The aircraft was reportedly in production in 2015, but by the end of 2017 production had ended in favour of the new LAE Piranha.[1]
The Ultrasport 496T is derived from the American Sportscopter Ultrasport 496, replacing the two-stroke powerplant with a turboshaft engine.[1]
The 496T was designed to comply with the European Class 6 microlight helicopter rules. It features a single main rotor and tail rotor, a two-seats-in side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit with a windshield, skid landing gear and a 1600NaN0 Solar T62 turbine engine.[1]
The aircraft fuselage is made from composites. It has a two-bladed main and a ring-mounted tailrotor. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 2600NaN0 and a gross weight of 4500NaN0, giving a useful load of 1900NaN0.[1]
Reviewer Werner Pfaendler, noted that it has "an exceptional power to weight ratio".[1]