Vertical Hummingbird

Hummingbird
General information
TypeHelicopter
National origin
United States
ManufacturerVertical Aviation Technologies
StatusIn production (2013)
History
Introduction date
1991
Developed from
Sikorsky S-52

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.

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 33 ft (10.1 m) diameter fully articulated three-bladed main rotor employs a NACA 0015 airfoil. The two-bladed tail rotor has a diameter of 5.75 ft (1.8 m). The aircraft has an empty weight of 1,790 lb (812 kg) and a gross weight of 2,800 lb (1,270 kg), giving a useful load of 1,010 lb (458 kg). With full fuel of 57 U.S. gallons (220 L; 47 imp gal) the payload is 668 lb (303 kg).

Variants

VAT S-52-3
Prototype of the Hummingbird family, converted from an original Sikorsky S-52-3.
Hummingbird 260L
Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition 265 hp (198 kW) Lycoming IVO-435 engine
Hummingbird 300LS
Version powered by an eight cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-ignition 325 hp (242 kW) General Motors LS7 V-8 automotive conversion engine, derated to 280 hp (209 kW)
Hummingbird 300L
Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, fuel injected Lycoming IO-540 derated to 280 hp (209 kW)

Specifications (Hummingbird 300L)

Data from Vertical Aviation

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ↑ Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Home of the four passenger Hummingbird". Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  3. 1 2 John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 495. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  4. ↑ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hummingbird 300L". Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Hummingbird 260L". Archived from the original on October 4, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  7. ↑ Vertical Aviation Technologies (2013). "Hummingbird 300LS". Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.