Vortech Shadow

The Vortech Shadow is an American autogyro that was designed by Tyler Flight, Inc. and produced by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. The aircraft is supplied as a kit and also in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplies rotor blades for the design.[1]

Shadow
Role Autogyro
National origin United States
Manufacturer Vortech
Designer Tyler Flight, Inc.
Status In production (2014)
Number built 4
Unit cost
US$16,995 (kit, 2005)

Design and development

The Vortech Shadow was designed to comply with the US Experimental - Amateur-built aircraft rules. It features a single main rotor, a two-seats-in side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit with a windshield, tricycle landing gear, plus a tail caster. The acceptable power range is 150 to 230 hp (112 to 172 kW). The standard engine used is the four cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320 powerplant in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft fuselage is made from tubing and composites. Its two-bladed rotor has a diameter of 29 ft (8.8 m). The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 750 lb (340 kg) and a gross weight of 1,290 lb (590 kg), giving a useful load of 540 lb (240 kg). With full fuel of 12 U.S. gallons (45 L; 10.0 imp gal) the payload for the pilot, passenger and baggage is 468 lb (212 kg).[1]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 150 hp (112 kW) engine is 100 ft (30 m) and the landing roll is 25 ft (8 m).[1]

The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied kit as 250 hours.[1]

Operational history

By 1998 the company reported that four kits had been sold and were completed and flying.[1]

In January 2015 no examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[2]

Specifications (Shadow)

Data from Kitplanes[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
  • Empty weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,290 lb (585 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 12 U.S. gallons (45 L; 10.0 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 150 hp (110 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m)
  • Main rotor area: 660 sq ft (61 m2)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 70 mph (110 km/h, 61 kn)
  • Range: 170 mi (280 km, 150 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
  • Disk loading: 2.0 lb/sq ft (9.8 kg/m2)
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See also

References
  1. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 60. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. Federal Aviation Administration (27 January 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 27 January 2015.
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