ultralight helicopter

[9121u]

HI does any one on here have any experience.or no much abought the MOSQUITO HELICOPTER.or ever flown one, I no there is a forum on these. just wanted to get more info.I no its not a brantly some times you get the truth on other forums abought things.so if any one can help chime in.....thanks..tom

[bryancobb]

I have been drooling over one. It seems to be a good little ship. The guy who designed it IS A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER which is unusual. When you look at one, it's not "blow you away" impressive, but the guys who have them are flying THE SNOT out of them. It's not a Cadillac like the Helicycle but I let my medical expire and started doing the Sport Pilot fixed wing thing. The idea of a 254 pound helicopter that I can put in my pocket really excites me now.

This little engine is a hoss! Can carry a 250 pound pilot. It has ceramic pistons and is air cooled with a scroll fan. Dual ignition, and most of these guys flying them know nothing about jetting 2-strokes for helicopters. The engine is NOT temperamental because none of these guys are seizing them up. ONE BIG PROBLEM! Only has (2) 2.5 gallon fuel tanks and you can't carry more and still be an ultralight.

[9121u]

THANKS BRYAN for insight on these i have been watching these for a while now i might sell my brantly to buy one.but i did not want to get into something like the old mini 500.... you no what i'm talking junk?????that i had.so i'm doing a lot of research.before i do any thing.plus i like building.and i agree abought the 2cycle engine its takes the right person to no theme.have you seen one in person.I've not got up close to one.to see its mechanics yet but this year ill look up some one close to PA. with one......and I really like the idea one can do what ever with it .....thanks ..let us no if you get one....tom

[bryancobb]

Have you looked at http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/index.asp

There's thousands of closeup pictures.

[N2285U]

I have been researching the Mosquito quite a bit. The Mosquito Air which is the ultralight legal version is a good little machine if you are willing to operate underthe 103 rules (can't fly over populated areas and in controlled airspace) You have to understand controlled airspace includes class E airspace that goes to the ground at some uncontrolled airports.

Also, no cabin, so it is basically a 6-month machine maximum abywhere north of TN or so.

I also do not care for it's "plate-style" landing gear pads. IMO, that is dynamic rollover waiting to happen and in some you tube videos you will see it just about happen many times.

With that said, it is a very proven design and does fly well. It is very stable in autorotation and it is stupid cheap to operate. You can seriously run one for $12 per hour in maintenance costs.

If you have no medical this is the way to go. If you have a medical I would rather have the model with a cabin as it has no limitations with airspace and can carry more fuel. That then leads to the turbine which I would definitely rather have even though it burns more fuel.

Another interesting alternative is the Helicycle which Doug (can't remember his last name) flew with a 4-stroke Yamaha engine in it. From what I understand it only burns about 5-6 GPH and is very quiet. Both of them qualities will pay dividends in the future.

[bryancobb]

The XEL actually HAS a cabin, and IS still a 103 ultralight because they took advantage of the FAA allowance for the weight of floats.
They added floats to keep it in the ultralight world. The floats are NOT to be used on water.

[N2285U]

And there you go... Ulralight legal helicopter with a cabin and floats for safety should you happen to land in water. Cheap little machine to run. About the same price as a high-end gyroplane and the ability to go vertical.

Does it only hold 5 gallons or less? That is a stipulation for 103.

[bryancobb]

Yes, when you get an XEL, the tank vent is installed at an elevation that only allows 5 gallons then overflow.
Temporarily plug the vent, it is illegal but hold 12 or so I think.

[N2285U]

Now, that is a nice feature. Not that I would fly it illegally, but it gives you the option to take it experimental later with little modification if you can get the paperwork through. I like the idea of no registration, no annual, and parts that cost less than $10k

I wonder what they fly like? I was able to fly my Brantly without the instructor having to take the controls from day one. I was not as stable in my Safari, but was safe. I had a difficult time with the R22 after having 50 hours in the Brantly and did not feel safe in it at all.

[N2285U]

Also, can someone explain this to me - from the manufacturers website:

"Licensing:
No license is required to fly the Mosquito Air or the Mosquito XEL in the US. A private fixed wing license is required to fly the Mosquito XE in the US.
A private helicopter license is required to fly the Mosquito in Canada. Other countries will need to check with their aviation authority on flight regulations."

What does having a fixed wing license have to do with operating and non-ultralight helicopter in the USA?

[9121u]

THE mosquito seems like a good little helicopter but the price is out of hand you can buy a brantly for that... put a little money it to it then you got something.i still would like to have one tho .ill keep flying my brantly for now...tom

[N2285U]

Tom,

I agree. That Brantly is very nice, but neither aircraft is insurable for a decent premium. You will have $40-$60k in a GOOD Brantly and then you have to deal with the possibility of $30k worth of blades cracking, Formsprags that cannot be rebuilt, etc. With the Mosquito you can replace the engine which includes the gearbox along with starter fuel injection system, etc for $5,500. That would not even buy you a top overhaul in a Brantly. Need rotor blades for the Mosquito - $3k, etc.. Need to work on it - do it yourself. Need parts - call the factory.

Unfortunately, my instructor moved before I was able to complete my flight training. I can fly the Brantly with no problem, but by the time I find another instructor and buy the Brantly I think I might be better off getting some R22 time (or whatever is equivalent) and buy a Mosquito. I could easily fabricate some doors for the Mosquito and a simple heating system could be made by diverting some of the hot air off the cylinder heads into the cabin.

I am really liking the idea.

[bryancobb]

Also, can someone explain this to me - from the manufacturers website:...(1) No license is required to fly the Mosquito Air or the Mosquito XEL in the US. (2) A private fixed wing license is required to fly the Mosquito XE in the US.
..." What does having a fixed wing license have to do with operating and non-ultralight helicopter in the USA?

(1) Part 103 Ultralight Rules Apply

(2) Well, this was a question that I had also. I have been involved with Amateur Built Experimentals for three decades. It didn't dawn on me, until these Mosquito guys opened my eyes, that in the EXPERIMENTAL world, there are no "types" of aircraft. There are no Categories, or Classes.

Once a pilot is licensed at the PRIVATE level or above, they can legally fly any aircraft, so long as they are the SOLE OCCUPANT, no matter what it looks like or no matter what means it uses to get airborne. I think the only time you have to be RATED for a specific category and class is after the 40 hours (or 20 hours if using a certified engine/prop) Phase I is complete and you decide to carry a passenger. Then you have to have the rating.

On the Mosquito, you physically cannot carry a passenger even AFTER Phase I is complete so the issue is moot. I went to the factory fly-in in Trenton Florida earlier this month. I weigh 260 and there were guys there as big as I, zooming around with power to spare. And by-the-way...doors are available but not a heater.

As to the COST, you have to realize, you can get a BRAND NEW Mosquito XEL, factory built, fancy paintjob, setup, adjusted, Tracked & Balanced, test flown, and dialed-in for $44,500!

The designer is a Licensed Professional Engineer who lives in Canada and the engine is an MZ-202 from Compact Radial Engines and is built in Canada. Everything else is American Made.

[N2285U]

Well,

That makes a difference! I am a ASEL/AMEL Comm. It seems that I should just buy the XE with the standard gear brand new and fly it after getting some re-current training. If I build the unit I can maintain it myself. If not, I can pay someone local to sign off a condition inspection. There is nothing to this ship!

I like the idea of the XE better due to the legal fuel being much safer and the fact that I can fly it into controlled airspace.

This is interesting!

[bryancobb]

Not sure I am correct about THIS, but remember, the Builder of an N-Numbered Experimental must do 51% of the construction! The FAA REEEEAAAALY frowns on "hired guns" to do the building. I know you could get a Lancair at one time, that was practically factory built, but the FAA put a stop to that.

I'm not sure how Dwight at the Mosquito factory handles it if someone wants a NON-Part 103, Factory-Built XE, XE-3, or XE-T??