Vortech Kestrel Jet Explained

The Vortech Kestrel Jet is an American tip-jet helicopter that was designed in the 1980s. Kits for amateur construction were originally provided by Vortech and plans remain available.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to fit into the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 2540NaN0. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 1750NaN0. It features a single main rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield and skid landing gear. Power is supplied by two G8-2-20 rotor tip jets that run on propane, consuming per hour and producing 470NaN0 of thrust each.^[4]

The aircraft fuselage is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. Its main rotor is 241NaN1 in diameter. Due to the lack of torque produced there is no tail rotor and instead the Kestrel mounts a circular-shaped rudder for directional control. Controls consist only of cyclic, rudder and throttle.

Notes and References

1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page F-8. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
2. Web site: Build the World's Tiniest Homebuilt Helicopter. 11 April 2012. Vortech. n.d..
3. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications.
4. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 334. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.