| When flying on your own with the use of homemade | | | | Or if you still prefer to buy it off the shelve, here are |
| and "ingenious" constructions are discussed, it is not | | | | some facts to read. Helicopters are measured in |
| surprising if some would react with a laugh. That is, if | | | | terms of passenger capacity, comfort, versatility, |
| you are still talking about some weird inventions that | | | | speed, and of course cost. Choosing the right one for |
| could be seen on some video clips taken way, way | | | | you depends on these criteria. For example, if you |
| back where people try to fly using wings made out of | | | | want a cost effective helicopter strictly for personal |
| wood strapped on each arm or machine with an | | | | use, you can take the Schweizer 300 or the Robinson |
| umbrella used as a source of lift. The fact is, modern | | | | R22 (helicopter for 2). It has basic comfort and few |
| homebuilt helicopters surpass way too far from these | | | | features. |
| early helicopter concepts. | | | | The exact opposite are the McDonnell-Douglas 500, |
| For those who have heard this for the first time, you | | | | Enstrom Shark, and the Agusta 109A. They are fast |
| should realize that you only require standard parts | | | | and more convenient to fly. In between these 2 |
| from an auto parts and hardware store to create a | | | | extremes are Eurocopter Squirrel and the Bell Jet |
| helicopter (that can really fly). These parts can cost | | | | Ranger. These are single turbine-engined helicopter |
| you a little under a thousand dollars if you know how | | | | that are more commonly used for filming work and |
| to select good parts. Or, if you want instant parts, | | | | charter flying. The Eurocopter Squirrel and the Bell Jet |
| homebuilt helicopters are sold in kit. You can order this | | | | Ranger are agile, fast, and comfortable, but are |
| online complete with instructions on how to build it. This | | | | constrained to fly on a fair weather. |
| is becoming more and more popular for its guaranteed | | | | This is not the case with the Sikorsky S76 and The |
| safety and sure flight. | | | | Eurocopter Dauphin 2 which can fly at 200mph and |
| With an engine, rotors, rotor head, rotor blade, control | | | | can accommodate up to 14 people safely and |
| stick, foot controls, a seat, and other basic component | | | | comfortably. With these, we can narrow down your |
| of a conventional helicopter, the homebuilt helicopter | | | | selection into 3: |
| can lift you off the ground. | | | | Light Piston-engined Types - If you want a cheap |
| You might question the danger it can present to the | | | | personal helicopter that could sit for two, the |
| pilot. The reality is homebuilt helicopter are as stable as | | | | Schweizer 300 or the Robinson R22 would be your |
| any other types of helicopters provided it flies on a | | | | choice. They can fly at the speed of 80-110 mph. With |
| good weather condition. They can fly as fast as | | | | a seating capacity and small size, these helicopters are |
| 80mph and as high as 10,000 - 12,000 feet. | | | | light, easy to fly, and easy to maneuver. Surprisingly, |
| Homebuilt helicopter imposes great experience. It gives | | | | the light piston-engined helicopters use a more |
| opportunity for individuals to fly their own helicopter | | | | expensive fuel than that of the kerosene based turbine |
| without the need to spend so much money on flight | | | | engines but they consume less fuel. However, the |
| training school. Since homebuilt helicopters are | | | | Schweizer 300 or the Robinson R22 is less buyable |
| considered ultralight helicopters (weight usually at the | | | | for charter and corporate use. They are more popular, |
| range between 150-190 lbs), you don't have to acquire | | | | however, on training and personal use. |
| Pilot license. Flying a homebuilt helicopter can convert | | | | Light turbine helicopters - McDonnell Douglas 500E, |
| you from a simple mechanic into a pilot instantly. Here's | | | | Eurocopter Squirrel and the (Agusta-) Bell Jet Ranger |
| the analogy: if bicycle is to motorcycle; homebuilt | | | | are widely used around the world for its practicality |
| helicopter is to twin-engine helicopter. The main | | | | and mid-range amenities, comfort, size, speed, |
| difference is, the homebuilt helicopters are motorized | | | | versatility and price. Private owner often prefer light |
| (although wit less power) and can lift you off from the | | | | turbine helicopters among other types for these given |
| ground with the same experience you can get from a | | | | reasons. The look is sporty and performance is almost |
| conventional full-size helicopter. | | | | perfect (if not perfect). |