Star Aviation LoneStar Sport Helicopter

LoneStar Sport Helicopter
Role Single-seat very light helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Star Aviation
First flight 1990
Introduction 1991
Developed into Redback Buzzard

The Star Aviation LoneStar Sport Helicopter is an American very light helicopter designed by Star Aviation Inc of New Braunsfels, Texas, for amateur construction.[1][2]

The LoneStar was developed by Ken Rehler and Tom Carlson as a simple single-seat very light helicopter.[2] Rehler formed Star Aviation to market the design in kit-form.[2] The open-frame helicopter was powered by a 65 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 piston engine.[1]

Due to the death of Rehler, Star Aviation no longer produces and sells kits. The aircraft was later developed into the Redback Buzzard, but only one prototype was completed.[2][3]

Specifications

Data from Taylor[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 13 ft 11 in (4.24 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
  • Empty weight: 420 lb (191 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 piston engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 21 ft 5 in (6.53 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 90 mph (145 km/h, 78 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 65 mph (105 km/h, 57 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)

See also

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Taylor 1996, p. 365
  2. ^ a b c d LONESTAR – THE LITTLE HELICOPTER FROM TEXAS Archived 2013-02-16 at archive.today
  3. ^ Redback Aviation (n.d.). "Welcome To Redback Aviation's World Of Homebuilt Helicopters". Retrieved February 7, 2013.

Bibliography


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