VTOL Aircraft Phillicopter
The VTOL Aircraft Phillicopter is a 1970s Australian light utility helicopter designed and built by VTOL Aircraft of Newcastle West, New South Wales.[1]
Phillicopter | |
---|---|
Role | Light utility helicopter |
National origin | Australia |
Manufacturer | VTOL Aircraft |
First flight | 1971 |
Design
Duan A. Phillips began work on design of a two-seat helicopter in 1962, and started to build a prototype in 1967. The prototype, the Phillicopter Mark I, was completed and first flew in 1971, powered by a single 145 hp (108 kW) Rolls-Royce Continental O-200 engine.[2] Phillips set up VTOL Aircraft Pty Ltd in 1971 to construct and develop the Phillicopter.[3] The Phillicopter was granted its Australian type certificate in 1984,[4] and the prototype was modified to represent a pre-production standard.[5]
The Phillicopter is a conventional two-seat helicopter with a two-blade rotor powered by a 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 piston engine.[1] It has an enclosed cabin with removable doors and is fitted with dual controls.[1] The open frame fuselage has a two-blade tail rotor at the rear.[1] A 91-litre fuel tank is fitted and an optional 91-litre central tank can be fitted, although this can also be used for crop spraying chemicals rather than fuel.[1] The Phillicopter has a fixed skid type landing gear.[1]
Specifications
Data from [1]Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 7.07 m (23 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in)
- Empty weight: 454 kg (1,000 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 703 kg (1,550 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 piston engine, 130 kW (180 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 7.77 m (25 ft 6 in)
- Main rotor area: 47.38 m2 (510.0 sq ft)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 139 km/h (86 mph, 75 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 203 km/h (126 mph, 110 kn)
- Range: 694 km (431 mi, 375 nmi) with full payload and optional centre tank.
- Service ceiling: 4,900 m (16,000 ft)
References
Notes
- Taylor 1996, p. 297
- Taylor 1976, pp. 8–9.
- Gunston 2005, p. 491.
- Taylor 1988, p. 7.
- Lambert 1993, p. 11.
Bibliography
- Gunston, Bill (2005). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers (Second ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-3981-8.
- Lambert, Mark (1993). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division. ISBN 0-7106-1066-1.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1976). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1988). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/97. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 9781574880632.