Picture |
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Manufacturer |
Rotorway
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Type |
Exec 162F
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Introduced |
1/1/1994
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In production? |
No
|
Units produced |
0
|
Price US $ |
67,750.00
|
Overall Length |
29.5 ft
|
Length |
22 ft
|
Height |
8 ft
|
Width |
3.67 ft
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Description |
The Rotorway Exec line is a successful kit helicopter concept that took off in the early 1990s. The first model was the Exec 90, which introduced two important new concepts to the kit helicopter market. First, the Exec had a slim and good looking fuselage design, which is still associated with Rotorway helicopters today. The second innovation involved conducting the hard assembly and welding work at the factory, reducing the build time substantially. This is now common practice in the kit helicopter industry. The Exec 90 uses the RI 162 engine, which is designed and produced by Rotorway.
In the late 1980s, Rotorway introduced the Elete. Unfortunately, this model was a commercial disaster and, with its high development costs, put Rotorway in trouble. The company’s assets were sold to its former customer, John Netherwood. He created a new company under the name Rotorway International. He also put an end to the Elete initiative, and continued to work on an improved version of the Exec 90 line, the Exec 162F, which was introduced in 1994.
The Exec 162F is basically a much improved Exec 90, with fuel injection and FADEC control added to the RI 162 engine (named the RI 162F engine). The Exec 162F has attracted a large international base of home builders and is commercially successful.
This aircraft is often compared with the smallest certified helicopters available in the market, like the Robinson R22. There is a lot of debate over the safety records of the Exec versus the R22, with no clear conclusion reached other than the fact that experimental aircrafts are in another category to that of certified versions in many respects (responsibilities and testing programs to name just a few of them). Accordingly, they can't be compared as if there were no differences between them.
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Advertisement |
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Design features |
- FADEC controlled piston engine
- Fuel injection
- Elastomeric rotor hub
- Belt driven tailrotor
- Sleek design
- Steel frame
- Aluminum tail
|
The Rotorway Exec line is a successful kit helicopter concept that took off in the early 1990s. The first model was the Exec 90, which introduced two important new concepts to the kit helicopter market. First, the Exec had a slim and good looking fuselage design, which is still associated with Rotorway helicopters today. The second innovation involved conducting the hard assembly and welding work at the factory, reducing the build time substantially. This is now common practice in the kit helicopter industry. The Exec 90 uses the RI 162 engine, which is designed and produced by Rotorway.
In the late 1980s, Rotorway introduced the Elete. Unfortunately, this model was a commercial disaster and, with its high development costs, put Rotorway in trouble. The company’s assets were sold to its former customer, John Netherwood. He created a new company under the name Rotorway International. He also put an end to the Elete initiative, and continued to work on an improved version of the Exec 90 line, the Exec 162F, which was introduced in 1994.
The Exec 162F is basically a much improved Exec 90, with fuel injection and FADEC control added to the RI 162 engine (named the RI 162F engine). The Exec 162F has attracted a large international base of home builders and is commercially successful.
This aircraft is often compared with the smallest certified helicopters available in the market, like the Robinson R22. There is a lot of debate over the safety records of the Exec versus the R22, with no clear conclusion reached other than the fact that experimental aircrafts are in another category to that of certified versions in many respects (responsibilities and testing programs to name just a few of them). Accordingly, they can't be compared as if there were no differences between them.
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- Advertisement -
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Design features:
- FADEC controlled piston engine
- Fuel injection
- Elastomeric rotor hub
- Belt driven tailrotor
- Sleek design
- Steel frame
- Aluminum tail
|
Persons |
2
|
Max. Range |
180 mi
|
Cruise Speed |
95 mph
|
Max. Speed |
115 mph
|
Max. rate of Climb |
1000 ft/min
|
HOGE ceiling |
5000 ft
|
Service Ceiling |
10000 ft
|
Gross Weight |
1500 lb
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Empty Weigt |
975 lb
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Useful Load |
525 lb
|
Fuel Capacity |
17 gallons
|
Number of Engines |
1
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Engine Type |
Piston, 4 cylinder fuel injected
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Engine Code |
RI 162F
|
Horse Power |
150
|
Rotorhead |
elastomeric bearings, teetering head
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Number of rotorblades |
2
|
Rotor Diameter |
25 ft
|
Number of tail rotorblades |
2
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Tailrotor Diameter |
4.19 ft
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