The Hummingbird is a single engine, single three-bladed main rotor type helicopter, with a tail rotor. The fuselage is made of aluminum and composites. The Hummingbird is powered by a FAA approved Lycoming aircraft engine. The transmission system consists of a clutch/freewheel unit between the engine and main gearbox, a main driveshaft extending from the top of the main gearbox to the main rotorhead, and a take-off drive from the main gearbox which drives the tail rotor driveshaft, intermediate gearbox and tail rotor assembly. These parts are manufactured to strict FAA design standards. When you finish building your Hummingbird you know you have a helicopter that was thoroughly engineered.

The Hummingbird cabin sits comfortably four large people. The cabin is 55 inches wide, 56 inches high from floor to ceiling, and 110 inches in length. Two baggage areas 15” L x 20” W x 13” H are located under the forward two seats. Fly four people comfortably or two people, 375 mile range, and 220 lbs. of camping gear.

The many prefabricated components of the Hummingbird 260L make the kit an easy project for the first time builder. The average build time of only 800 hours is one of the lowest in the kit industry. There is no welding or composite work, only minor fabrication, and all major components are pre-assembled. The rotor blades for example come to you painted, balanced, and ready for installation. These blades have 7 degrees of twist to enhance performance.

The Hummingbird kit is sold in 4 stages. Each stage is sold separately. The first stage consists of building the lower cabin section. In this stage, you will learn about real aircraft sheet metal fabrication and aircraft assembly. In the next stage you will receive the upper cabin section partially assembled.

After fitting the upper and lower cabin sections together, you’re off and running! The landing gear is the next section, and then the entire nose section. Flight controls, electrical components, instrumentation and fuel systems are sold in separate stages.

The tailcone section is supplied partially assembled by the technicians at Vertical Aviation Technologies to assure uniformity. You will finish assembling the tailcone. The powerplant and gearboxes will be completely assembled for installation when you receive them.

The main rotor blades and tail rotor blades will then come to you completely ready to install. They will have been painted and pre-balanced at our factory. After rigging all the flight controls and cables, and calculating the Hummingbird’s weight and balance, she’s ready to fly.

The Hummingbird is a real pleasure to fly. Because of its inherently long tail forward flight is very stabile but very agile. The flight control system incorporates electric trim with spring pressure that can be turned off in a hover. Stick forces are very light. Another appealing characteristic is the landing gear. It is such a pleasure to be able to taxi a helicopter and not have to hover. This landing gear design is only found in helicopters costing millions of dollars! The three blade rotor system is very smooth and has a medium inertia rotor providing excellent autorotation characteristics. The clutch is automatic for engaging the rotor system and a rotorbrake is included to slow the rotor during shut down.

Consider these quality Hummingbird features:

• Comfortable four-place cabin
• Approximate 375 mile range
• 950 pound payload
• Fully articulated rotor head
• Flight control trim system
• All aluminum construction with fiberglass nose
• No welding
• Rotor brake
• Wheels for taxiing with hydraulic brakes and shock absorbing struts
• Main Rotor blades are quickly removable for maintenance, trailer transport or storage

When you finish building your Hummingbird it is licensed in the amateur built category and you get the satisfaction of knowing it is well engineered and safe. You also get the pleasure of learning all about it while building. We spent a great deal of time developing instruction/service manuals, drawings, photographs, etc. to assist building this kit. You can call or e-mail us anytime for a quick response to any questions. When you are finished we have pilots/technicians available to assist with final rigging/blade tracking and testing.

With the price of the Hummingbird you’re getting a true four place helicopter with performance, spacious cabin, smooth rotor system, easy to build and easy to fly.

We know you’ve examined lots of helicopters, but you really owe it to yourself to closely check out the Hummingbird. Learn more about its solid, long-term development, its superior features and you’ll like what you see! There’s a lot of country out there you’re just itching to get to, and no helicopter can get you there more economically, safely and in more style and comfort that the Hummingbird. Contact us today, and join the many pilots who hover with a Hummingbird!

Vertical Aviation Technologies specializes in helicopter research, development, design, and manufacturing and is located at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Sanford, Florida approximately fifteen miles north of Orlando.

For more information call, write, fax or e-mail, Vertical Aviation Technologies, Inc., 1609 Hangar Road, Sanford, FL 32773, Telephone: 407-322-9488, Fax: 407-330-2647, E-Mail: Sales@Vertical-Aviation.com, Web: www.Vertical-Aviation.com.