December 2nd, 2005
Personal Mosquito Ultralight Helicopter for Under US$20,000
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
Yes, I am probably destined to die in a fireball, but as a longtime scooter rider and flying vehicle enthusiast, I can’t help but follow this stuff. Today’s flying machine: an affordable personal helicopter:
Flying is not a sport generally associated with those people who are light of wallet – which makes the Mosquito Ultralight helicopter something of a rarity. The entire kit for the Mosquito can be purchased for US$20,000 and if you think the minimalist Mosquito leaves you a bit vulnerable, there’s the fully enclosed Mosquito XE and XEL which can be purchased for US$23,000 apiece. Building the kits will cost you about 200 to 300 hours to build or you can have the plane built for you for a flat US$4000. Getting airborne for under US$20,000 in your own, new helicopter is quite a feat – we’re not aware of any other helicopter in this price category and on top of that, both Mosquito variants offer very low maintenance and operating costs. Source: Gizmag
“Canadian-based Uptigrove originally charged less for his offspring, but as he explains, “I sell in US dollars as that is the primary market, but I live in Canada and the Canadian dollar keeps going up which is cutting into my profit in a bad way, so I have to keep raising my price to match.” You can actually start building your Mosquito for a lot less as the kit is sold in bite size chunks and the first kit group, the frame kit, sells for only US$2,995.00.
“Uptigrove believes safety is paramount in aviation and puts his money where his mouth is. Provide proof that you have had helicopter training from a certified instructor to at least the “solo” signoff, or a minimum of 10 hours dual instruction by the time of your purchase of the last group (Rotor System and Blades) and Innovator will discount the final price by US$2,000 to help pay for your training.”Source: Gizmag
Ron Powell says:
Alice:
Look I do this for a living and as much as I like to promote flying, particularly vertical flight, these “kit” machines are not where you want to go. These things are like a toy, but one which will kill you faster than you can blink.
There are a LOT of moving parts in helicopters, even the simplest ones. In no way do I say this machine is unsafe, but the problem with learning how to fly a helicopter and being safe at it is more than the purchase price and the minimum of training.
In 25 years of flying helicopters, I have met perhaps 3 civilian trained pilots who fly commercially for a living. It’s an expensive hobby.
I’ll send along a video clip of a guy who owned a helicopter and was taking his second lesson. Not very pretty, because I detest seeing machinery torn up. Oh yeah, the guy is lucky to be alive.
I will tell you this though, flying a helicopter is the most freedon you will ever know as a human being. Within the limitations of the aircraft, gravity doesn’t mean anything. You can move in any direction and land anyplace. To this day, I sometimes just laugh out loud at the novelty of it all.
Ron Powell
September 27th, 2005 at 9:07 am
Moo says:
I used to work in aviation training & simulation. A common joke is that helicopters are 10,000 moving parts surrounding an oil leak. They are also one of the most inefficient ways of converting money into lift. A do-it-yourself kit is probably not the way to go.
Seriously though, with rotary wing aircraft the larger the platform the easier it is to fly. Something this small and twitchy is best reserved for the professionals.
If you would like to combine scooters and aviation, there is a company who sells a kit to convert a Honda Reflex scooter into an ultralight. It’s a bit safer - but not by much. At least you still have lift should there be a mechanical malfunction.
http://www.ulflyingmag.com/oct.web/flite.html
September 27th, 2005 at 9:39 am
Sid says:
is there a reason why you can’t wear pants to fly this thing?
(or am I the only one who did a double take at the pic?)
September 27th, 2005 at 11:20 am
Alice says:
Ok. First to Sid (#3) that made me laugh out loud. I didn’t notice the guy had no pants on. Guess he truly wants to fee free.
to #2 (Moo) The flying scooter is interesting, but looks ass scary as the other contraption. I like the idea of flying a scooter though. Hmmmm…
and to #1 (Ron) I totally agree. This is dangerous business. Would you say a reglar ultrlight is a better choice?
September 27th, 2005 at 1:57 pm
Jerry Dalen says:
Hey Ron,
I know a pilot who flies choppers for a living also, but when he’s not flying his helicopter, he prefers to be flying his hang glider.
Now, Alice, that’s what I think is the closest thing to flying like a bird that man can do. Except flap your wings
jd
September 28th, 2005 at 7:29 am
bob bury says:
Wouldn’t a gyrocopter be:
1. Cheaper
2. Lighter
3. Safer
?????????????????????????
September 28th, 2005 at 8:50 am
Ron Powell says:
Alice, Jerry, Bob:
I guess I have to ask the question, we’re talking cheap recreational flying here correct? There are plenty of choices our there, far less mechanical and probably cheaper than a kit helicopter. Bob does bring up an interesting and excellent alternative to a traditional helicopter and ultralite though, the gyrocopter.
The rotor on a gyro is powered by the air flowing up through it vs unlike a helicopter rotor which is powered by the engine. This is called, “autorotation”, so you sometimes see a gyrocopter called an “autogyro”. Helicopters do this same thing when the engine quits and allows the aircraft to make a controlled descent to landing.
Helicopters and gyrocopters can land, power off, in some very small spaces, because they do not have to have much forward speed to maintain control unlike an airplane which needs x miles an hour of speed. Said a different way, I’d much rather crash going 10-20 knots in a gyro/helo vs 50-60 knots in a small plane. I’m talking generalizations here.
As I said, you have numerous choices to get your kicks:
- Backpack powered paraglider – cheap, slow and safe because your “parachute” is already deployed.
- Trike with paraglider canopy – more expensive, still slow, possible multiple seats and safe as above.
- Traditional ultralite with rigid wing or fabric – maybe a little more expensive than the paraglider setup, multiple seats, faster, pretty safe because you can get a ballistic parachute recovery system (pops a parachute out of a canister by a rocket/mortar system to deploy the chute fast even at low altitude)
- Kit gyropcopters and airplanes – more expensive, more complex, possible multiple seats, fairly safe.
- Kit helicopters – don’t get me wrong, there are a few very good kits on the market. Like this one: http://www.rotorway.com/ . But check the pricing. This isn’t a toy.
- FAA certified production machines – you get what you pay for.
On a different aviation subject, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta kicks off this weekend. In my mind, it is truly one of those “Kodak” moments. Imagine 500-1000 hot air balloons of all shapes, colors and sizes in a few cubic miles of airspace. Just awesome.
Anyway, remember to wear your seatbelt,
Ron Powell
September 28th, 2005 at 11:15 am
Ron Powell says:
Oh, one other thing. Hopefully, this isn’t disappointing you, but the guy has a pair of black shorts on. If you zoom in on his left hand, you will notice he has a lever in hand. This is the “collective”, which increases and decreases the pitch to both rotor blades at the same time, creating more/less lift and up you go.
There’s usually a throttle on the end of the collective, not unlike on a scooter, as well to regulate engine rpm.
Ron Powell
September 28th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
Jay Hyde says:
Just noticing the comments on this- not one that is positive and suggesting that one at least ought to be open minded and try it out. This seems to me to be a common thread when it comes to professional pilots and commercial pilots and I think that it is in thier nature and in thier training. Commercial pilots are trained to be VERY conservative, which is good from a passengers point of view, but bad if you want to try anything out of the ordinary. So Alice, if you want to try this out and you think that you could do it; take some advice from the commercial guys but don’t let them put you off!
Jay
PS I am trying to build a scale P51 Mustang from scratch and this is also considered madness by the professionals…
October 3rd, 2005 at 2:32 am
Alan Hanna says:
Life is dangerous! - Driven on the freeway at night in a driving rain storm lately? Heck my Jeta can fly with the greatest of ease on a couple of inches of water!! Seriously though I have a good friend who flies medical missions in a twin turbo-prop. He flies an ultralite for FUN - says it’s more interesting!! Lets see …bus or sports car?? I’ll take the ultralite sports amchine for fun any day! The Mosqueto is an interesting machine if you like vertical flight…check it out.
November 13th, 2005 at 12:37 pm
Mike Gallagher says:
I’ve spent 35+ years flying and teaching in all kinds of airplanes and I concur with the above comments concerning a neophyte flying ANY helicopter, much less an experimental one that has no approved safety requirements. If you think you might like flying, go to the local airport and check out a short trial flight (usually around $50). If you find yourself hooked, research FAA Recreational License and aircraft. This is a new category of aircaft and licensing, designed specfically as a lower cost alternative for the recreational pilot. TRY IT — YOU’LL LIKE IT.
December 3rd, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Bob Koure says:
This may be a very cheap way to learn how to hover.
Considering the many hours it takes to develop the knack of just keeping a rotorcraft in one place, this thing might be a bargain - even if you never get more than 20 feet of the ground and never leave the airport.
Also, although many pilots might regard this as “twitchy”, IMHO one difficulty learning larger craft is that there’s a definite delay between moving the control and the response - at least in terms of pitch and roll.
Then, the pilot’s inner ear is pretty close to the center of gravity and center of lift, and, yes, you shouldn’t be paying much if any attention to your inner ear when flying, but at least this should be less of a distraction.
Anyway, in the late ’70s I knew two (civilian) pilots who wanted to learn rotorcraft and who bought a small rotorcraft kit available at the time, each learned to hover in it - and then they sold it on to the next guys who were going to do the same thing. I’d wanted to join in but had been over extended (both no time and no money) at the time so I never took up their offers to try it. Sigh…
December 5th, 2005 at 6:08 am
Doug Keith says:
I am starting my helicopter training on Monday with the ultimate goal of owning one of John’s machines. My first hour of training is “discounted” to $250. Every hour after that is $265 per hour of flight. My plan is get my solo rating as I won’t be carring any passengers. I am already a fixed wing pilot so this will be an add on rating. Cost for 30 hours of training is around $8000. This is a ridiculous amount of money to do anything for 30 hours but I won’t fly it without proper training.
As for the design of the machine I belive its excellent. John made several good design choices for the machine. Both the main and the tailrotor transmissions are identical to reduce cost. Power for the main rotor doesn’t go through the gears in the transission, it passes straight through by a shaft. The only power that goes through any gears is that needed to drive the tail rotor. Less power through the transmission means a smaller transmission is needed and more efficent. He also has the final drive reduction at the rotor head which helps keep the machine light, no large transmission shaft needed.
The introductory kit has a video and a set of prints of the swash plate and controls. I have used these prints to draw 3d models using Autodesk Inventor or the controls and have been impressed at how simple the system is.
I had the opportunity to look the Mosquito over at Oshkosh last year and was very impressed with the quality of the workmanship. Finally, after watching the video and seeing it fly in person I saw no sign of any “twitchy” behavior. The machine looks very stable and controlable. John also told me that he learned to fly the Mosquito with no training, try that with an R22.
At over $200 per hour the cost of production helicopters are out of reach of the average person. With the Mosquito I can quit dreaming and start flying.
January 18th, 2006 at 6:11 am
Doug Keith says:
I am starting my helicopter training on Monday with the ultimate goal of owning one of John’s machines. My first hour of training is “discounted” to $250. Every hour after that is $265 per hour of flight. My plan is get my solo rating as I won’t be carring any passengers. I am already a fixed wing pilot so this will be an add on rating. Cost for 30 hours of training is around $8000. This is a ridiculous amount of money to do anything for 30 hours but I won’t fly it without proper training.
As for the design of the machine I belive its excellent. John made several good design choices for the machine. Both the main and the tailrotor transmissions are identical to reduce cost. Power for the main rotor doesn’t go through the gears in the transission, it passes straight through by a shaft. The only power that goes through any gears is that needed to drive the tail rotor. Less power through the transmission means a smaller transmission is needed and more efficent. He also has the final drive reduction at the rotor head which helps keep the machine light, no large transmission shaft needed.
The introductory kit has a video and a set of prints of the swash plate and controls. I have used these prints to draw 3d models using Autodesk Inventor or the controls and have been impressed at how simple the system is.
I had the opportunity to look the Mosquito over at Oshkosh last year and was very impressed with the quality of the workmanship. Finally, after watching the video and seeing it fly in person I saw no sign of any “twitchy” behavior. The machine looks very stable and controlable. John also told me that he learned to fly the Mosquito with no training, try that with an R22.
At over $200 per hour the cost of production helicopters are out of reach of the average person. With the Mosquito I can quit dreaming and start flying.
January 18th, 2006 at 6:11 am
vic span says:
I am/was a commercial helicopter pilot for over 30 years with 10,000+ HRS PIC time. I like the little bugger! Espicaly since the FAA chose to pull my medical and pilots licence because someone wrote to them informing them I have a bit of P.T.S.D from my time in Vietnam, (hell we all do)! How crazy is pulling a guys licance and medical with 10,000 accadent free hrs compaired to flying one of these? Ill fly the damn thing in a heartbeat as opposed to sitting on the ground.
January 19th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Operations says:
Thought you might be interested in this!
Mosquito Aviation are giving away a Mosquito XE Ultralight Helicopter + $10,000 worth of flight training open to anyone worldwide.
Purchase one or more “tiles” on our Promotional Advertising Page http://promotion.mosquito.net.nz/
Replace the “tile(s)” with your Logo or Picture, add your link and message, and be in the draw to own your own Mosquito XE Helicopter.
A “tile” costs $100 Australian (We use PayPal. It’s fast, easy and secure.). Click on the “tile” you wish to purchase, and you will be directed to our order form.
When we can see the entire picture we will hold a public draw and give away a “Ready-To-Fly” Mosquito XE Helicopter to that lucky “tile” owner. 50 instant giveaways have also been randomly placed under “tiles”. If you purchase a “tile”, that has a giveaway underneath, you will be notified by email on how to redeem your item
. Great odds 1 in 2000. One tile owner will end up owning the Mosquito XE
February 27th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
michael says:
I just saw a short segment on the mosquito and after seeing the pricing I’ve become very interested,on training,I’d bet you could make up a simulator with today’s technology for next to nothing.Can they be flown out of your backyard?I can see putting on a sidecart for my wife like the motorcycle days.Mike
March 4th, 2006 at 8:34 am
mike says:
Hello….I was wondering about the license? Is one “required” to fly an ultralite copter? I definatly think that this machine isn’t for everyone. Anything with an engine must be respected. I have never flown but have always dreamed of it. Unfortunatly, diabetes has made me legally blind. Now Im not so blind that I can’t ride sportbikes and dirt bikes but the law says I cant drive. This has seriously affected me. I used to race CCS. I raced at Daytona international speedway in 95′. No more roadracing for me now though.
( Still i take my machines to the empty parking lots and back roads to play and ride my wheelies. I am assuming that there is no way i could get a pilots lisence….right? But why not? Pilots can land at night and use instruments, yes? If this little machine can take me 20 feet up to float around some open fields then i can die happy.
mike
March 5th, 2006 at 3:14 am
mike says:
Oh yeah…Also what is the deal with gliders? No engine so would i need a license for that also? If not WOO HOO! About how much do people charge to tow you up? Thanks again to anyone who can answer my questions.
mike
March 5th, 2006 at 3:18 am
Kirk Nivens says:
I was an assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam and acquired a few thousand hours in them then switched over to airplanes. After 40 years of accident free flying I am now like Vic Span. Currently fighting the FAA over my medical as a result of PTSD acquired 40 years ago. Never mind that I have flown safely for 40 years and have some developed air sense and air safety habits.
A few years ago I was interested in kit helicopters, specifically a Rotorway Exec. I went to sun and fun to ride in one. My eyebrows raised when the demo pilot moved a 25 pound bag of lead shot on the floor of the cabin to adjust his weight and balance. Having flown more than 30 makes and models of helicopters, that was a first for me. The Rotoway did not have the control feel of any helicopter I have ever flown. It was indeed twitchie in my perception, and I have flown Hughes 269, Bell 13 and small Hillers. I walked away from the ride shaking my head and saying no way. I’d rather have a good used Hughes, Bell or Hiller than a new Rotorway, but given the fact that the FAA wants to refuse my medical recertification that may not be an option.
There are trained pilots who get themselves in trouble (read crash) helicopters because they get into settling with power, retreating blade stall or operate in the dead man’s curve (not enough airspeed or altitude to allow a safe autorotation). Safe operation of any helicopter requires thorough training. They are not nearly as safe as airplanes in my humble opinion, but they are more fun to fly because they will simply do more, and yes they will land and take off from your backyard, just remember that dead man’s curve.
March 5th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
dave sparks says:
I need my life back, which I left in Viet Nam. I have not had a far out day since Feb. 1970. (Excitement, On the Edge)
March 5th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Joe T. Reeves says:
Having flown over 12000 hours (9000 helicopter, 2000 multi-engine, 1500 military fighter jet, 500 stearman cropduster, and the rest in other fixed wing of all kinds), I would say it might be possible to teach yourself to hover before you crash and destroy the machine, if you are VERY careful. Transitioning from a hover to forward flight and back to a hover is less forgiving as you have to get it right the first time and the crash would be more spectacular. All the other problems of helicopter flying are there for the unaware, if you and the machine survive that long, so do your homework. For the average person, this is the only way (other than the military, which sometimes tends to be dangerous, also) you could afford to learn to fly and own a helicopter. It would be dangerous, for a considerable period of time but might be a fun way to learn or die.
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July 28th, 2006 at 11:41 am
David says:
Yea, those Wright Bros. were idiots too. Don’t listen to the Ego nuts they are only afraid of themselves that is why they have to add their credintials in their post. I watched an FAA examiner take off from a taxiway once after failing an instructor on his final checkride. I am sure the would be instructor was a better pilot. It is your life, you have my blessing.
September 3rd, 2006 at 7:41 am
prasunsen says:
Has anyone an idea how long it will take to build this one from the simplest kit?
It seems really tempting
March 7th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Hangar Debris says:
Flying helicopters is Exactly like riding a bicycle. There is absolutly no difference. The exact same skills are required. Sure the controls are different but the results are the same. Plus once you deveolope the second nature reflexes you will never forget them. The difference is when you fall down or F-up.
May 17th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Rocky Finlayson says:
I think the whole Idea of building and flying a kit helicopter is kick ass. if I had the $30,000 i wouldnt be here typing id be out flying the damn thing. couple months ago i had a good friend crash a $1,000,000.00 A-star he had minor injurys mostly ego bruises, point is an A-star is not $960,000.00 dollars worth of more parts than the mosquito its all the hoops they have to jump through to sell a cert’ heli. They all CAN crash it dont matter what it is or what the dollar value is, If you F up your going to crash, I hope not but, it is the sad truth about people they build things and they die using them. I could watch one crash and you still would not change this pancakes mind
May 31st, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Arnie Madsen says:
Hangar debris is correct. Learning to ride a bike reqires a lot of falls until you ‘get your balance’ and before you know it you can be on a motorcycle turning a corner , shifting gears , adjusting the throttle , waving at your girlfriend , clutching , brakeing , and watching traffic all at once. All these actions become second nature and are done sub-consciously. Flying helicopters is just a matter of learning to do a lot of things at the same time with good co-ordination. Once you get your balance it is the most fun in the world. Training is always recommended because you cannot just ‘fall down’ in a helicopter and try again as you can when learning to ride a bike. Basic training will cost a few thousand but remember you are going to be flying during those hours and it is worth every cent just for the enjoyment , even if you never fly again or buy your own machine.
June 25th, 2007 at 11:37 am
skypirate says:
OK I have enjoyed reading the different evauluations of the many different backgrounds that make us all the individuals that we are ..I just have one question ..to hangar debris statement..The difference is when you fall down or F-up.,,I have fallen down a few times ..and I’ll swear that the floor fell up once or even twice and hit me ..of course with the help of some wild turkey,..I wish I could F-up ..( fall up ) then I wouldn’t need to build another craft to take me up
just kidding guys ,, I know the floor didnt really fall up..the whole bar fell up ..just so happens the floor is attached to the bar
right??
June 27th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
robert hensarling says:
I’d be nterested in how many kits have been sold, and how many of those are now flying. I’d like to have one just to hover around at 3 - 6 feet in my yard. I don’t think I’d be inclined to get up very high. I fly RC helicopters, and they’re a blast, so one that could carry me would be a real kick.
June 28th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Mark McCormick says:
I, like everyone else here, has the bug. I spent all afternoon googleing helicopter crashes. Scares the crap out of me. However, with that said, my life has been so full up to now and I am wanting to take the next step. I was all set to go with a fixed wing ultralight until my wife said, if she was to do it, it would have to be a helicopter. So now I have been reading every day on helicopters and gyrocopters. It appears to me that the gyrocopters are a little safer but a little less versitile? Am I wrong. Also, is there anyone out there who has the passion that I do living in the Kansas City area? Keep up the writings as I enjoy it all. Another exciting thing is the Tesla Motors. An electric car that will be sold in the coming years for about $30K. 0-60 mph in 4 seconds and goes approx 250 without a chard. Oh 60-130 in another 4 seconds. Burn tires, not gas. A 900lb ion battery versus a thousand moving part engine. It’s cool. Check it out. Whether you are in the air or flying in a car, keep on walking. Mark
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Mark McCormick says:
correction “charge” not “chard”
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Rick Sosnowski says:
I got the bug flying fixed wing illegally. Then developed an intrest in rotorcraft. I did a lot of reading and found out there are a lot of things that can happen if you don’t know what your doing. Believe me that there are things that you didn’t even dream of. You can find yourself with a fatal problem in a split second. This is what the high time pilots are talking about. So don’t knock them till you have done your homework. Helicopters are safe if you know what your doing and it don’t matter how good a pilot you are there is no way you can do what the machine can’t. That’s why you need training. You have to know what can happen and to avoid it. And to get out of it if it does. Do some reading and talk to pilots and when you get one one of them little flying machines you will live to enjoy them and won’t give helicopters a bad name.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:11 am
trevor seelye says:
hey i love helicopters i am realy realy in 2 them i am 15 and i was wornding how munch the maqustio coppter would cost in canadian cause i am canadian thanks
trevor
July 17th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Gerhard says:
Good day, I want to find out more about this little hellicopter
September 29th, 2007 at 1:08 am
Rick Sosnowski says:
Hi, I just want to give you folks a little update. A friend of mine wouldn’t take my advice. He was trying to learn himself on a machine that belongs to a friend of his. The machine is now scrap metal. There isn’t a part on it that isn’t bent or broken. Junk !! I had the urge to try it too but thought better of it. Now I know for sure that I was giving him good advice. The money he has to put out now would have bought him a lot of training. I also learned something too. Flying one of those things is not for me ha ha. By the way he had a skid lid on and that saved his life. He’s a little sore but okay enough to get a little training to find out where he went wrong. School of hard knocks ha ha. Not for me.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Horace (gator) Green says:
Give it a shot.
I’m retired, did the ‘Nam thing too. Not inexperienced in helicopters. Bought and built a Helicycle turbine powered kit. Flies great. I was nervous at first, till the first lift off.
Most kit manufacturers REQUIRE proof of training before they will complete the kit shipment. Go to the Mosquito website and find out what current builders think.
There are some very experienced people there.
gator
December 14th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Jeremy Potratz says:
The very first day of flight school at Ft. Wolters, Texas a TAC officer asked us if the idea of CBD bothered any of us. When someone asked what that meant he said it stood for Crash, Burn, and Die. Several soldiers got right back on the bus and left. Of the remainder about 60 percent completed flight school and became Army pilots. We spent more time operating buffing machines to make the barrack floors shine than flying and several young men died each month from crashes. Learning to hover is a skill not everyone is capable of performing, and certainly not without a good instructor. I try and dissuade anyone from learning to fly UNLESS they intend to do it for a career. Weekend pilots seem to make up the majority of accident victims nationwide whereas the dedicated career pilot knows that the only thing important is getting back safely on the ground. Recreation pilots without that lack lots of hours are just asking to crash, burn and die and had better check what is allowed under their life insurance policies before they waste time, effort and money on a pasttime that can kill them in a heartbeat.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:59 pm
robert wallace says:
I have owned a rotorway scorpion 133 for many years, but have not ben able to finish it because of the lack of money, But now I am retiring and fully plan to finish it. Call me crazy if you want. I’m going to have much fun. p.s. you can watch me from the ground. please grin with me.
February 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
thomas rittenhouse says:
would like to buy the mosquito please reply
March 31st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
thomas rittenhouse says:
phone number please
March 31st, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Bob Rayner says:
I spoke to Dwight, the Mosquito owner/manufacturer at Sun N Fun two days ago. I am very impressed with his machine compared to any other “kit” helicopter. I watched one of the Mosquito’s do a hovering autorotation from 25ft and land like stepping off a curb. Even my old Bell 47 D1 would flatten the gear if I tried that. Dwight told me there are 40+ Mosquito’s flying and 150 kits sold to date. The only fatality I know of was suffered by someone teaching themselves to fly a float equipped ultralight Mosquito. He flipped the helicopter over in the water (dynamic rollover). He was not wearing a helmet, hit his head and drowned. A tragic accident caused by someone trying to learn by trial and error. Anyone interested in this machine should take a look at the demos on Youtube.com. If you want to fly rotorcraft take a 1 hour intro lesson at your local airport in a R22 or better yet a Hughes 269 at see if you really want to commit the time and money. Then get your solo ticket. Most people can do it under 23hours dual time. Some as little as 10hours. Then you can spend the rest of your life looking forward to each time you can pull pitch and feel the skids come off the ground.
Warning As far as I know - Flying a helicopter is the most addictive thing on the planet. I started in a 47 G2 some 35 years ago when I was only 10 in my dad’s crop sprayer and I still can’t get enough.
The designers at Mosquito seem to have taken all the best ideas from the other kits added some of their own ideas and made (dare I say it) a simple, safe, strong, reasonably priced personal helicopter. I am seriously considering buying a kit this summer.
Here is the website http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/index.asp
April 13th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
mikell creech says:
please send video of flight thx.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Mark says:
Paramotors weigh about 45 lbs
and give c 145 lbs static thrust. fix 3, pointing up to a lightweight frame - no worries about torque rotation.
Then with a simple weight shift seat hanging below you get an ultra simple hoverer. Weight shift to move forward and turn etc. Throttle to balance weight / height.
I wonder if anyone with access to paramotor gear has tried this ?
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