Frequently Asked Questions About the Hummingbird 260L

Yes. This helicopter requires a FAA private rotorcraft license.

No. You can start as a helicopter pilot.

Yes. A Flight Instructor can give you flight training in your helicopter.

The price of the kit is $138,600.00. A deposit is required to secure a position and delivery date. Contact our sales office for details.

No. The engine is sold separately and can be purchased through Vertical Aviation Technologies.

The Lycoming powerplant if purchased thru Vertical Aviation Technologies is priced at $51,920.00. This price includes more than just the engine. It includes everything required to install. Because some people prefer to buy used engines to reduce the cost, we are selling the kit priced without the Lycoming VO435-A1F.

Paint cost is approximately $1500. Upholstery cost is approximately $1000. Radios can be as inexpensive as $800. Compare this finished cost against other helicopters.

Yes. The system works very well and with a heavier 3-bladed rotor system, r.p.m.’s will not “bleed off” quickly like a two blade system. The 3-blade rotor system eliminates any concern for mast bumping.

Yes. After you complete the assembly process the FAA will issue you a Repairmans Certificate. This cannot be accomplished with a commercial helicopter.

VERTICAL AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
HUMMINGBIRD MODEL 260L
Lycoming Engine VO-435

ESTIMATED DIRECT COST OF OPERATION & RESERVES

VERTICAL AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
HUMMINGBIRD MODEL 300LS
LS7 Engine

ESTIMATED DIRECT COST OF
OPERATION & RESERVES

Note: There are no calendar inspections so operating cost is based on flight hours only.

Yes. This helicopter was originally 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 original design 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.

Yes. 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.

Because of the high compression Lycoming engine, 8:7 to 1, only 100 octane is approved. The LS7 engine is approved for 91 octane automobile fuel.

Yes. We have available a 22 gallon auxiliary fuel system increasing the range to 545 miles.

Yes. The Hummingbird has two large easily accessed baggage compartments in the main cabin.

No.

No.

All components were designed by Sikorsky for 1200 flight hours. The overhaul information is provided to you with the builders/assembly manual or you can send them back to the factory. These components are very simple in design. The Lycoming engine has a 1500 hours overhaul period. The LS7 engine has an overhaul period of 3000 hours. There are no calendar inspections.

There are no life limited components except for the main and tail blades. Because of the over built design the rotorhead, tail rotor, and main shaft have no fatigue life. The main blades are 1200 hours and the tail blades are 1700 hours.

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 approximately 800 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.

Please contact our sales department at 407-322-9488. A deposit is required to receive a production position and delivery date.

We have been in business since 1964, active with the Hummingbird program for 17 years. We have sold over 173 helicopters worldwide from commercial helicopter operators to governments including the United States. We have an excellent reputation with the FAA and have never had a fatality in any helicopter we built or sold including the Hummingbird.

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. We have representatives located throughout the world.

Yes. This helicopter was designed and approved for a cargo hook.

Yes. The Quickbuild version will come with the cabin finished and sitting on the landing gear.

Yes. Dealerships have been established in the countries of Russia, China, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Columbia. We are always expanding our Dealership Network, so call if you feel you can support Hummingbird customers in some other part of the world.