Coaxial Helicopter

[redpoint5]

I don't know about ballooning, but now I think I'll pick up smoking and drive a Ford Fairmont.

[markweatherill]

Remote controlled quadcopter? Surely there are big enough ones available.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by markweatherill

Remote controlled quadcopter? Surely there are big enough ones available.

Don't think I haven't already considered this.

A hexcopter could be redundant enough that I would feel safe being attached to it, as long as other systems were made to be redundant such as the computer, ESCs, and power source. Maybe I should just get a parachute as backup.

That's the beauty of a helicopter though; it's way more fuel efficient than a quadcopter, and control can be maintained even if it looses power.

Quadcopters are a fad, and once control systems are implemented to make flying helicopters as simple as quads, they will be displaced. The only reason quads have a control advantage now is that the technological advancements needed to control them have just recently been developed. Similar technology could be added to helicopters to make them easier to control.

The most fuel efficient helicopters use 2 main rotors, and no tail rotor. This frees up the ~15% of power that is lost in the tail just to keep the chopper pointed straight.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

That's the beauty of a helicopter though; it's way more fuel efficient...

Well, I'm surprised to see someone use the words "fuel efficient" and "helicopter" in the same sentence :-)

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Well, I'm surprised to see someone use the words "fuel efficient" and "helicopter" in the same sentence :-)

If the specs for that Russian coaxial helicopter are anywhere near accurate, it might have an efficient cruise of about 130 MPH, and they claim a fuel consumption of "3 to 4 GPH". 130 MPH / 4 GPH = 32.5 MPG.

Not too shabby, especially considering you can travel as the crow flies instead of as the road winds.

I'm seeing other larger helicopters that do about 8 MPG though. I think that's what people are getting in a Robinson R44.

Maybe I'll move close to my best friend someday and split the cost.

[hamsterpower]

The R-44 that I fly for work, consistently hits about 8 mpg at any speed between 50 and 110 mph. but that is with 3 people on board. (well, 2 people and 125 lbs of gear)
That is the most fuel efficient copter I know of.

The worst expense in operating a helicopter is not initial purchase or fuel bill, but the annual liability insurance. There are also very few places (off airport) where a copter can land twice.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by hamsterpower

The R-44 that I fly for work, consistently hits about 8 mpg at any speed between 50 and 110 mph. but that is with 3 people on board. (well, 2 people and 125 lbs of gear)
That is the most fuel efficient copter I know of.

The worst expense in operating a helicopter is not initial purchase or fuel bill, but the annual liability insurance. There are also very few places (off airport) where a copter can land twice.

What is the work?

Why can the copter not land twice in the same spot?

I was thinking maybe I would fly for a career if I go through all the training and log the hours, but I have no idea how much demand there is for pilots.

[redpoint5]

Eurocopter successfully flew a prototype diesel engine last November.

They retrofitted an H120 (5 person helicopter) with the diesel engine and reduced fuel consumption from 220 Pounds Per Hour to 143 PPH. That works out to 21 gallons per hour, which is still a heck of a lot. That might be around 6 MPG, but it is a larger bird.

Would be neat to see what a diesel piston engine in a smaller craft could do, maybe in a coaxial or dual rotor design for fuel efficiency.

I find it hard to believe the Russians are going to get 30 MPG out of their design, and we have yet to see any prototype a year after their announcement.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by markweatherill

Remote controlled quadcopter? Surely there are big enough ones available.

This reminds me of a stunt people did with 2 RC helicopters. They lifted a woman with them!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77uK19KxMuI

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I was thinking maybe I would fly for a career if I go through all the training and log the hours, but I have no idea how much demand there is for pilots.

I'd think the problem getting a job flying helicopters would be all the competition from ex-military pilots.