Sport Copter Lightning

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Lightning | logo = | logo_size = | image = Sport Copter Vortex M912.jpg | alt = | caption = Vortex M912 | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Autogyro]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = [[Sport Copter]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1994 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Sport Copter Lightning''' is an American [[autogyro]], designed and produced by [[Sport Copter]] of [[Scappoose, Oregon]]. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page F-4. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 58. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 209. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 187. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

==Design and development== The base model Lightning was designed to comply with 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|252|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It features a single main rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield, [[tricycle landing gear]] and a twin cylinder, air-cooled, [[two-stroke]], single-ignition {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine in [[pusher configuration]].<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="WDLA11" />

The aircraft [[fuselage]] is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing. Its {{convert|23|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} diameter rotor is supplied ready-made and constructed from bonded [[Duralumin|dural aluminum]] by the company's subsidiary Sport USA LLC. The [[landing gear]] includes telescopic spring suspension. A semi-enclosed [[cockpit fairing]] with windshield is optional.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="WDLA11" />

The basic Lightning design has been developed into the heavier Vortex.<ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="WDLA11" />

Reviewer Andre Cliche said of the Lightning: "In flight, the Lightning is forgiving and easy to maneuver, with light, geared-down controls. It is responsive but not tricky. It is a good choice for beginners."<ref name="Cliche" />

==Variants== ;Lightning :Base model powered by a {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine. Can accept engines from {{convert|46|to|70|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. Optional cockpit fairing. 53 examples had been completed and flown by 2005.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="WDLA11" /> ;Vortex :Improved model powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] or {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] engine. Can accept engines from {{convert|65|to|210|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. Empty weight is {{convert|350|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and gross weight is {{convert|760|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. Cockpit fairing is standard. 124 examples had been completed and flown by 2005.<ref name="KitplanesFeb2005" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="WDLA11" /> ;Vortex M912 :A strengthened rough-field version originally designed for Australian cattle mustering, (the M stands for Mustering), equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS engine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vortex M912 |url=https://sportcopter.com/?page_id=113 |website=Sport Copter |access-date=23 July 2023}}</ref>

==Specifications (Lightning) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche and KitPlanes<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=11 |length in=0 |length note= |width m= |width ft= |width in= |width note= |height m= |height ft=8 |height in=0 |height note= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=252 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=600 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|5|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 503]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, air-cooled, [[two-stroke]] dual-ignition [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=50 |eng1 shp=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=63 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=55 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=100 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=14000 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1000 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft= |disk loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

{{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons cat|Sport Copter Vortex}} *{{Official website|http://www.sportcopter.com/}}

[[Category:1990s United States sport aircraft]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher autogyros]]