IMHO the introduction next year of Wilksch's WAM-160 diesel engine offers a huge amount of potential for the development of a new light kit helicopter. Wilksch is the only manufacturer of diesel aircraft engines that have come to terms with the weight issue.
If there was interest (i.e. financial backing) then I know a man who might be interested in developing one for you. The use of the WAM-160 engine with modern structures and aerodynamics would give an R22 size machine with a high inertia rotor system and slightly improved performance.
It wouldn't change the world but it would look gorgeous and be dirt cheap (£50K) to buy and £40/hr to operate. Maintenance requirements would be similar to the R22, as would service intervals.
CRAN
(...armed with a pencil and a slide rule.)
