Canadians are at the leading edge of
ultralight and light aircraft designs. Adding to the list of "innovative
designs" is the Mosquito single place ultralight legal (in the U.S.)
ultralight helicopter. The Mosquito at Airventure
2003 was powered by the light weight 60 lbs. Zanzottera MZ 202 engine
which produces 60 hp, comes with electric start and a clutch. According to
the manufacturer the unit at the show had just over 70 hours of flying
time on the engine.
Power from the engine is transferred through an HTD cog belt, with the
driven pulley using a sprag clutch, which allows the rotor to "overspeed"
during auto rotation.
The fuselage and main frame are produced from 6061 T6
aluminum. The landing gear uses firbreglass rods, with the tail using
carbon fiber and support struts.
"Power is transmitted to a splitter gear box at the
front of the tail boom through flex couplings and a floating drive shaft.
The gear box sends power to the tail rotor through a drive shaft housed in
the tail boom.
Another floating drive shaft transmits power to the
secondary reduction at the top of the mast which then drives the main
rotor through a second high capacity HTD cog
belt."
The Mosquito is being offered in kit form and comes
with laser formed frame parts, machined parts, instruments, rotor blades
and engine. Each kit comes with a comprehensive assembly manual with
drawings. The kit should take about 200 hours to build.
The craft has been available since 1994 - currently
there are 4 aircraft flying.
For more information
INNOVATOR TECHNOLOGIES
BOX 17, SITE 17, RR5
CALGARY, AB., CANADA T2P 2G6
(403) 669-3101 or (403) 936-5423 |