Economical & Reliable Helicopter? ~ Maybe
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Economical & Reliable Helicopter? ~ Maybe
The May 2004 issue of Kitplanes has an article entitled; 'Flying the Mosquito: Maximum fun at minimal cost'.
- Economical? ~ The kit helicopters sells for $19.000.00 (US).
- Reliable? ~ The positive article is written by Ken Armstrong . He has flown 12,000 hours on 250 airplane and helicopter types, and is a prominent Canadian aviation author whose works are regularly published in a number of aviation periodicals.
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Dave:
You know that you can't determine reliability on the basis of one man's opinion of one flight in an airframe with probably less than 250 hours on it.
One need only look at the problem that just surfaced on the EH-101 to realize that some problems won't surface for a very long time.
You know that you can't determine reliability on the basis of one man's opinion of one flight in an airframe with probably less than 250 hours on it.
One need only look at the problem that just surfaced on the EH-101 to realize that some problems won't surface for a very long time.
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Shawn,
Absolutely no argument.
It will take time to tell if it is reliable, but he's off to a good start. He has been flying his prototype for at least three years. The article says that "Uptigrove is a mechanical engineer and handy with machining equipment". I have never met John, but have spoken to him on three or four occasions, plus having emailed and posted back and forth, perhaps a hundred times. He comes across as a very serious, knowledgeable and conscious person. There is no sense of hyperbole.
OK. For now, replace 'Reliable' with 'Fun'.
The article starts; "Here's a bold statement to begin an article: Flying the refined Mosquito ultralight was the most fun I've ever had with a helicopter!"
Absolutely no argument.
It will take time to tell if it is reliable, but he's off to a good start. He has been flying his prototype for at least three years. The article says that "Uptigrove is a mechanical engineer and handy with machining equipment". I have never met John, but have spoken to him on three or four occasions, plus having emailed and posted back and forth, perhaps a hundred times. He comes across as a very serious, knowledgeable and conscious person. There is no sense of hyperbole.
OK. For now, replace 'Reliable' with 'Fun'.
The article starts; "Here's a bold statement to begin an article: Flying the refined Mosquito ultralight was the most fun I've ever had with a helicopter!"
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Mosquito
I saw the Mosquito at the Sun n Fun flyin last week. I didn't recognize it at first... now it comes with an "enclosure" (cockpit), tailboom, and vertical stab. Beautifully done, a real quality piece of work.
I think the new weight is 310 lbs and will accomodate pilots up to 250 ibs.
Overall, very impressive. Should be a perfect fit for its designed purpose as a fun "above ground all terrain vehicle", to quote Ken Armstrong.
I think the new weight is 310 lbs and will accomodate pilots up to 250 ibs.
Overall, very impressive. Should be a perfect fit for its designed purpose as a fun "above ground all terrain vehicle", to quote Ken Armstrong.
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Is this the same machine as the Masquito (note the spelling -a in place of -o) that I posted about. There seem to be an avid interest in ultralights.
Looking through the spec on the Masquito I see that the RRPM are unusually high. Is this normal for ultralights?
Looking through the spec on the Masquito I see that the RRPM are unusually high. Is this normal for ultralights?
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Masquito vs. Mosquito
Headturner
Not the same helicopter. Mosquito is a Canadian design, Masquito is a Belgian design.
To add to an earlier post, I received an email from the "Mosquito" folks today, the new heli with cockpit /tailboom/vert stab is designated the "XE". Pretty sure the ultralight version will still be available also.
Not the same helicopter. Mosquito is a Canadian design, Masquito is a Belgian design.
To add to an earlier post, I received an email from the "Mosquito" folks today, the new heli with cockpit /tailboom/vert stab is designated the "XE". Pretty sure the ultralight version will still be available also.
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I think I'd prefer at least a shoulder harness if I was going to get into this thing. I can't even see a lap belt, but that can't be right, surely?
I think I'd be trying to fabricate some sort of roll cage as well - within reason of course - it just seems way too vulnerable to me.
Anybody here got one?
SLC.
I think I'd be trying to fabricate some sort of roll cage as well - within reason of course - it just seems way too vulnerable to me.
Anybody here got one?
SLC.
