Vertical Hummingbird Explained

The Vertical Hummingbird is an American helicopter, produced by Vertical Aviation Technologies of Sanford, Florida that was introduced in 1991. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1] [2]

Design and development

The Hummingbird is a development of the certified Sikorsky S-52 that first flew in 1947, adapted to kit form. The aircraft features a single main rotor, a four-seat enclosed cabin, quadracycle landing gear and an option for skids. The prototype was converted by Vertical Aviation Technologies from a Sikorsky S-52-3.

The Hummingbird fuselage is made from riveted aluminum sheet. The nose section is adapted from the Bell 206. Its 331NaN1 diameter fully articulated three-bladed main rotor employs a NACA 0015 airfoil.[3] The two-bladed tail rotor has a diameter of 5.751NaN1. The aircraft has an empty weight of 17900NaN0 and a gross weight of 28000NaN0, giving a useful load of 10100NaN0. With full fuel of the payload is 6680NaN0.[4]

Variants

VAT S-52-3:Prototype of the Hummingbird family, converted from an original Sikorsky S-52-3.[5]
  • Hummingbird 260L
  • Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition 2650NaN0 Lycoming IVO-435 engine[6]
    Hummingbird 300LS
  • Version powered by an eight cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-ignition 3250NaN0 General Motors LS7 V-8 automotive conversion engine, derated to 2800NaN0[7]
    Hummingbird 300L
  • Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, fuel injected Lycoming IO-540 derated to 2800NaN0[4]

    Notes and References

    1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011.
    2. Web site: Home of the four passenger Hummingbird. 14 February 2013. Vertical Aviation Technologies. 2013.
    3. Web site: The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage . 30 October 2022. Lednicer . David . 2010.
    4. Web site: Hummingbird 300L . 30 October 2022.
    5. Book: Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89 . 1988 . Jane's Information Group . London . 0-7106-0867-5 . John W.R. Taylor. 495.
    6. Web site: Hummingbird 260L . 14 February 2013. Vertical Aviation Technologies. 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141004184604/https://vertical-aviation.com/hummingbird-kit-helicopter/260l/. 4 October 2014.
    7. Web site: Hummingbird 300LS. 14 February 2013. Vertical Aviation Technologies. 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130128043311/http://vertical-aviation.com/hummingbird-kit-helicopter/300ls. 28 January 2013.

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