Vortech Kestrel Jet: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American tip-jet helicopter}} |
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{{Use American English|date=January 2022}} |
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{|{{Infobox |
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin |
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| name=Kestrel Jet |
| name=Kestrel Jet |
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| image= |
| image= |
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| caption= |
| caption= |
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}}{{Infobox |
}}{{Infobox aircraft type |
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| type=[[Helicopter]] |
| type=[[Helicopter]] |
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| national origin=[[United States]] |
| national origin=[[United States]] |
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| produced= <!--years in production--> |
| produced= <!--years in production--> |
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| number built=6 (2005) |
| number built=6 (2005) |
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| program cost= <!--Total program cost--> |
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| unit cost= [[US$]]20,000 (2001) |
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| developed from= |
| developed from= |
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| variants with their own articles= |
| variants with their own articles= |
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}} |
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The '''Vortech Kestrel Jet''' is an |
The '''Vortech Kestrel Jet''' is an American tip-jet [[helicopter]] that was designed in the 1980s. Kits for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]] were originally provided by [[Vortech]] and plans remain available.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page F-8. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="Vor">{{cite web|url = http://www.vortechonline.com/g1/|title = Build the World's Tiniest Homebuilt Helicopter|access-date = 11 April 2012|last = Vortech|date = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications. {{ISSN|0891-1851}}</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition'', page 334. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref> |
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==Design and development== |
==Design and development== |
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The aircraft was designed to fit into the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of {{convert|175|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It features a single [[Helicopter rotor|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 {{convert|12|u.s.gal}} per hour.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Vor" /> |
The aircraft was designed to fit into the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of {{convert|175|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It features a single [[Helicopter rotor|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 {{convert|12|u.s.gal}} per hour and producing {{convert|47|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of thrust each.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Vor" /><ref name="Aerocrafter"/> |
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The aircraft [[fuselage]] is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing. Its main rotor is {{convert|24|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} 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.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Vor" /> |
The aircraft [[fuselage]] is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing. Its main rotor is {{convert|24|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} 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.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Vor" /> |
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|eng1 number=2 |
|eng1 number=2 |
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|eng1 name=G8-2-20 |
|eng1 name=G8-2-20 |
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|eng1 type=rotor tip-mounted [[jet engine]]s |
|eng1 type=rotor tip-mounted [[jet engine]]s, {{convert|47|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of thrust |
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|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> |
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*{{Official website|http://www.vortechonline.com/g1/}} |
*{{Official website|http://www.vortechonline.com/g1/}} |
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{{Vortech aircraft}} |
{{Vortech aircraft}} |
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{{Aviation lists}} |
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[[Category:United States ultralight aircraft |
[[Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft]] |
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[[Category:United States helicopters |
[[Category:1980s United States helicopters]] |
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[[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] |
[[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Tipjet-powered helicopters]] |
[[Category:Tipjet-powered helicopters]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:57, 13 January 2022
| Kestrel Jet | |
|---|---|
| Role | Helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Vortech |
| Introduction | 1980s |
| Status | Plans available |
| Number built | 6 (2005) |
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
[edit]The aircraft was designed to fit into the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 175 lb (79 kg). 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 12 U.S. gallons (45 L; 10.0 imp gal) per hour and producing 47 lb (21 kg) of thrust each.[1][2][4]
The aircraft fuselage is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. Its main rotor is 24 ft (7.3 m) 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.[1][2]
Specifications (Kestrel Jet)
[edit]Data from Cliche, Vortech and KitPlanes[1][2][3]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Length: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
- Empty weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
- Gross weight: 440 lb (200 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) of propane
- Powerplant: 2 × G8-2-20 rotor tip-mounted jet engines, 47 lb (21 kg) of thrust
- Main rotor diameter: 25 ft 0 in (7.62 m)
- Main rotor area: 491 sq ft (45.6 m2)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 km/h, 55 kn)
- Cruise speed: 45 mph (72 km/h, 39 kn)
- Range: 60 mi (97 km, 52 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
- Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
- Disk loading: 0.90 lb/sq ft (4.4 kg/m2)
Avionics
- none
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page F-8. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b c d Vortech (n.d.). "Build the World's Tiniest Homebuilt Helicopter". Retrieved April 11, 2012.
- ^ a b Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ a b Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 334. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1