1. Can I maintain my own helicopter?
Yes. After you complete the assembly process the FAA will issue you a Repairmans
Certificate. This cannot be accomplished with a commercial helicopter.
2. What is the hourly operating cost?
VERTICAL AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
HUMMINGBIRD MODEL S-52L/300L
IO-540 Engine
ESTIMATED DIRECT COST OF OPERATION & RESERVES
DIRECT COST OF OPERATION COST/HOUR
CONSUMABLES
Fuel – 15 gph @ $3.50 gallon $52.50
Oil/Hour $ .50
RESERVES
RESERVE FOR SPARE PARTS
Major Component Overhaul @ TBO $58.82
______
TOTAL DIRECT OPERATING COST: $111.82 per flight hours
Note: There are no calendar inspections so operating cost is based on flight hours only.
3. Does this helicopter design meet the stringent FAA standards?
Yes. This helicopter was approved for commercial use by the FAA. We elected to sell it in kit form
in order to reduce the assembly costs for you. The Hummingbird went thru Sikorsky and FAA
engineering and flight testing programs. All dynamic components were subjected to a fatigue life
substantiation. Fatigue life is substantiated by measuring, in-flight steady and vibratory loads on
components like rotor blades with strain gauges and the helicopter is flown at all weights, c.g.’s,
altitudes, temperatures, and maneuvers: With these known loads a minimum of four specimens
(ex: rotorblades), are loaded and cycled with special equipment in a laboratory until failure. This
establishes the life of the component before failure. This information cannot be predicted. Ask your
kit manufacture if they performed a Flight Loads Survey on the critical dynamic components of your
helicopter.
4. Do you have a quality control process for the manufacturing of parts?
Yes. Unlike other kit manufactures we have been involved with extensive FAA manufacturing
approvals and FAA Repair Station. This was required for our company to manufacture
components like rotorheads and rotorblades for Commercial Transport Category helicopters.
5. What kind of fuel does the Hummingbird require?
The lower compression IO-540 engine can be run with minimum octane of 91 up to 100LL
aviation fuel.
6. Can an auxiliary fuel system be installed?
Yes. We have available a 22 gallon auxiliary fuel system increasing the range to 545 miles.
7. Is there baggage space?
Yes. The Hummingbird has two large easily accessed baggage compartments in the main cabin.
8. Is there any weight limit per seat?
No.
9. Is there any calendar life on the airframe or components?
No.
10. How difficult is this helicopter kit to assemble?
A tremendous amount of effort from our part went into designing this real certified helicopter to
be assembled by yourself. In addition to detailed manuals, there are drawings and
photographs. The average build time is 1200 hours. Because all transmissions are shaft driven,
we build all critical components at the factory on precision fixtures. So a lot of the work has
already been accomplished for you and this kit meets the 51% rule with the FAA including the
Quickbuild.
11. Do you have a flight test program?
Yes. When your kit is ready for flight we have several representatives that can come to your
location, do a final inspection, and then a first flight.
12. Can I install a cargo hook?
Yes. This helicopter was designed and approved for a cargo hook.
