Vertical Hummingbird

{{Short description|American helicopter}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Hummingbird | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:VAT Hummingbird 260l (crop orientation ).jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Helicopter | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Vertical Aviation Technologies | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production (2013) | 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 = 1991 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = Sikorsky S-52 | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} 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.<ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12'', page 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref><ref name="VertHome">{{cite web|url = http://vertical-aviation.com/|title = Home of the four passenger Hummingbird|access-date = 14 February 2013|last = Vertical Aviation Technologies|year = 2013}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="WDLA11" /> The prototype was converted by Vertical Aviation Technologies from a Sikorsky S-52-3.<ref name=JAWA88-89/>

The Hummingbird fuselage is made from riveted aluminum sheet. The nose section is adapted from the Bell 206. Its {{convert|33|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} diameter fully articulated three-bladed main rotor employs a NACA 0015 airfoil.<ref name="Incomplete">{{Cite web|url = https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html|title = The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |access-date = 30 October 2022|last = Lednicer |first = David |year = 2010}}</ref> The two-bladed tail rotor has a diameter of {{convert|5.75|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}. The aircraft has an empty weight of {{convert|1790|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|2800|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, giving a useful load of {{convert|1010|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. With full fuel of {{convert|57|u.s.gal}} the payload is {{convert|668|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="300L">{{cite web|url = https://vertical-aviation.com/specification|title = Hummingbird 300L |access-date = 30 October 2022}}</ref>

==Variants== ;VAT S-52-3:Prototype of the Hummingbird family, converted from an original Sikorsky S-52-3.<ref name=JAWA88-89>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89 |year=1988 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=London |isbn=0-7106-0867-5 |editor=John W.R. Taylor|page=495}}</ref> ;Hummingbird 260L :Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition {{convert|265|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming IVO-435 engine<ref name="260L">{{cite web|url = http://vertical-aviation.com/hummingbird-kit-helicopter/260l/|title = Hummingbird 260L |access-date = 14 February 2013|last = Vertical Aviation Technologies|year = 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141004184604/https://vertical-aviation.com/hummingbird-kit-helicopter/260l/|archive-date = 4 October 2014}}</ref> ;Hummingbird 300LS :Version powered by an eight cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-ignition {{convert|325|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} General Motors LS7 V-8 automotive conversion engine, derated to {{convert|280|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="300LS">{{cite web|url = http://vertical-aviation.com/hummingbird-kit-helicopter/300ls/|title = Hummingbird 300LS|access-date = 14 February 2013|last = Vertical Aviation Technologies|year = 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130128043311/http://vertical-aviation.com/hummingbird-kit-helicopter/300ls|archive-date = 28 January 2013}}</ref> ;Hummingbird 300L :Version powered by a six cylinder, air-cooled, fuel injected Lycoming IO-540 derated to {{convert|280|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="300L"/>

==Specifications (Hummingbird 300L) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Vertical Aviation<ref name="300L" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=three passengers |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |width m= |width ft=5 |width in=0 |width note= |height m= |height ft=8 |height in=7 |height note= |airfoil=NACA 0015 |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=1790 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=2800 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|57|USgal|impgal l}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name= Lycoming IO-540 |eng1 type=six cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke fuel injected aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=280

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=110 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=110 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=380 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=14000 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=950 |climb rate note=at {{convert|2800|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} |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= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website|http://vertical-aviation.com/}}

Category:1990s United States sport aircraft Category:1990s United States helicopters Category:Homebuilt aircraft Hummingbird Category:Single-engined piston helicopters Category:Aircraft first flown in 1991