ADI Sportster

The ADI Sportster is a two-seat gyroplane that has been marketed in plans form for homebuilding since 1974 by Aircraft Designs Inc.[1][2] It was the first homebuilt gyrocopter design to be able to carry a passenger.

Sportster
Role	Autogyro
Manufacturer	Aircraft Designs
Designer	Martin Hollmann
First flight	1974
Number built	65 (2005)

The design first flew in 1974 and is built from bolted and riveted dural aluminium sheet. The rotor blades use an NACA 8H12 airfoil[2]

Specifications

Data from Bertrand and Kitplanes[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Length: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
• Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
• Airfoil: NACA 8H12
• Empty weight: 650 lb (295 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,100 lb (499 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 17 U.S. gallons (64 L; 14 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320 4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 150 hp (110 kW)
• Main rotor diameter: 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m)
• Main rotor area: 616 sq ft (57.2 m²)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
• Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
• Range: 150 mi (240 km, 130 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
• Disk loading: 1.8 lb/sq ft (8.8 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.14 hp/lb (0.22 kW/kg)

Avionics

• none

References

1. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 54. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
2. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 203. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X