| American | |
|---|---|
| Role | Homebuilt helicopterType of aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | American Air Jet |
| First flight | 1988 |
The American Air Jet American is an American homebuilt tip jet helicopter designed and built by American Air Jet of Woodland Park, Colorado for amateur construction from kits.
Design and development
The American is either a tandem two-seat or single seat helicopter first flown in July 1988. It has an aluminium alloy enclosed cockpit with a twin skid landing gear and non-moving tail surfaces. The American has a twin-blade single rotor made from glassfibre and no tail rotor, on the prototype a 280 hp (209 kW) Wankel rotary engine drives a centrifugal compressor that provides air to thrust jets on the tips of the blades.
Specifications (Prototype)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1989-90
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 18 ft 0 in (5.49 m)
- Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
- Empty weight: 980 lb (445 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,600 lb (726 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Wankel rotary engine , 208 hp (109 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 90 mph (145 km/h, 78 kn)
- Cruise speed: 70 mph (113 km/h, 61 kn)
- Range: 300 mi (483 km, 260 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
See also
Related lists
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1989). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1989-90. London, United Kingdom: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0896-9.