Back DFH Dragonfly 333 / 334
1993

Dragon Fly Model 333

Dragon Fly Srl. was formed by the Angelo and Alfredo Castiglioni brothers at Cucdago in northern Italy to build a small side-by side two-seater which was, initially, designed for their own personal use as an easily transportable machine for use in archaeological exploration. Two prototypes of a single-seat model were built and flown in 1989 as a precursor to the two-seat production model. The Dragon Fly 333 is technically an ultralight, but is built to JAR Part 27 standard and was approved in 1996 under the Italian VLR (Very Light Rotorcraft) standard. Dragon Fly production was set initially at three per month, and the first production machine was delivered in late 1993. Production totalled 51 (up to c/n 51-97) by mid-1997. The all-metal Dragon Fly has an enclosed pod fuselage with fixed skid and a tubular tailboom carrying a T-tail with a two-blade tail rotor. The main two-blade rotor is mounted above and behind the cabin and is driven by a 105hp Dragon Fly/Hirth F30.A2 two-stroke engine. The Dragon Fly can also be delivered as a drone for military use.

R.Simpson "Airlife's Helicopter and Rotorcraft", 1998

Dragon Fly Model 333

Original Dragon Fly company founded in 1993 by twin brothers Angelo and Alfredo Castiglioni specifically to produce the Dragon Fly 333 light helicopter, rights to which were taken over from general engineering company CRAE Elettromeccanica SpA. The company was taken over by German owners in 2001 and moved to a new factory at Ovada. The Dragon Fly 333 is being further developed into the Dragon Fly 334 GP.

DFH DRAGON 334

TYPE: Two-seat helicopter.

PROGRAMME: Developed originally by CRAE; design studies and manufacture of single-seat prototype 1985-88; ground and flight testing of this aircraft, 1989-90; two-seat prototype built and tested, 1991-93. Total of two single-seat and three two-seat prototypes, followed by four pre-series aircraft; production, as Dragon Fly 333, transferred to new factory from October 1994. Developed and tested by manufacturer to standards approaching FAR Pt 27; initial Italian certification is in ultralight class, but domestic VLR (very light rotorcraft) certification obtained 16 June 1996. Relaunched at Aero '03, Friedrichshafen, April 2003, under new ownership and new designation.

In 2001, a Dragon Fly was flown at the Cielo di Volo air show, powered by a 112kW APU of undisclosed type.

CURRENT VERSIONS

Dragon Fly 333: Original version; discontinued. Powered by one Dragon Fly/Hirth F30A26AK four-cylinder two-stroke, rated at 82kW for T-O, 70.8kW maximum continuous.

Dragon Fly 333AC: Certified version to Italian VLR rules. Discontinued.

Heliot: RPV version developed in association with French companies Etudes et Developpement Techniques (EDT) and CAC Systemes; launched in June 1996 when prototype displayed at Eurosatory 1996 show at Le Bourget, Paris. No further production known. Discontinued.

DFH X 334: Proof-of-concept vehicle for 334GP, with new engine, rotor controls and drive system. Flying by 2002.

Dragon 334 GP: Based on Dragon Fly 333 with commercial applications including traffic and border observation, aerial photography, powerline patrolling and crop-spraying. New rotor controls, drive system and tapered tail rotor blades, plus single-piece front/upper glazing. Prototype unflown by May 2003, when exhibited at Aero '03. As described.

CUSTOMERS: First delivery of Dragon Fly in May 1994 to Chinese Civil Protection Volunteers. Total of 80 ordered, of which some 70 delivered, by late 1998 to customers in Abu Dhabi, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy (37), New Zealand, Portugal and Turkey. First delivery of Italian certified version was in 1997; initial operator was Venice Aero Club. Dragon 334 deliveries had not begun by mid-2003.

DESIGN FEATURES: Two-blade, semi-rigid main rotor and two-blade tail rotor; all blades of NACA 0012 aerofoil section, main rotor nominal speed 520 rpm. Can be road-towed on trailer with main blades folded. Optionally available in kit form.

STRUCTURE: Cabin is welded titanium frame with composites outer shell; aluminium alloy tailboom, rotor blades and landing skids. Full corrosion protection.

LANDING GEAR: Conventional twin-skid type. Emergency floats and skis under development.

POWER PLANT: One 84.6kW Rotax 914 flat-six. Transmission driven through centrifugal clutch and two V-belts. Fuel capacity 64 litres of which 57 litres are usable.

ACCOMMODATION: Side-by-side seats for two persons. Dual controls standard. Small baggage compartment below seats.

SYSTEMS: 12 V electrical system with engine-driven generator and 12V 24Ah batlery.

AVIONICS: Comms: Provision for transceiver and intercom. Flight: Optional electric lateral trim. Instrumentation: Standard VFR.

Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 2004-2005

Prototype Dragon Fly 334GP, prior to its first flight

Established 1993, produces the Dragon Fly mod 333 two- seat piston-engined light helicopter (certificated June 1996).

HELIOT variant is for military and civil special operations, with a 300kg useful load and is fitted with a camera and color monitor; can carry an external module to permit unmanned remote flying; with module removed, HELIOT can be piloted.

D.Mondey "The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft", 2000

Links:

Proof-of-concept DFH X 334, a Dragon Fly 333 airframe with Dragon 334 GP dynamics

Technical data for CH-7 "Kompress"

Main rotor diameter: 6.60m, tail rotor diameter: 1.12m, overall length, rotors turning: 7.86m, fuselage length: 5.56m, height to top of rotor head: 2.36m, empty weight: 282kg, take-off weight: 450-500kg, max level speed: 148km/h, cruising speed: 120km/h, max rate of climb: 390m/min, service ceiling: 3050m, hovering ceiling, IGE: 2050m, hovering ceiling, OGE: 1450m, range: 300km, endurance: 2h

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80
Peter One, e-mail, 18.02.2009reply

Cost or price of second hand model
Thanks Peter

dfdskljrwef, e-mail, 22.01.2009reply

多少??

Jeremey, e-mail, 23.09.2008reply

I was just wondering how much a 2 seater small helicopter would cost

C.SANKAR, e-mail, 19.09.2008reply

Detaled cost for this halicopter in indian Ruppee. Can it be used for private use. How much fuel eficiency. Fuel capacity.

Julio Yañez, e-mail, 07.08.2008reply

I live inMEXICO, can you send me more info, price, two passengers, FBO mexico? Please i am very very interesting

hajar hadavand, e-mail, 14.07.2008reply

would you please send detaild cost for engine of light helicopter in any model ?

Bruce McIntyre, e-mail, 28.03.2008reply

Could you kindly send more information with regards to DF 334 re costs is it an as built or owner assembly craft. I have tried to contact DF heli with not much luck or response.
Thanks Bruce

Nils ole, e-mail, 24.11.2007reply

hello.
how much well this helicopter cost me (334)?
and how many days well i need to build this?

Tony Stehr, e-mail, 23.10.2007reply

Do you have any Further Information on this Aircraft.
How many are currently Flying?
Are they Certified in Canada?
How much will they Cost?
Thank You
Tony

Faustino, e-mail, 03.10.2007reply

I need all information abuat this helicopter and your adress thanks.

Luis Nieves, e-mail, 21.09.2007reply

How much?
Is it a kit?
When will they be sold?

panagiotis siomos, e-mail, 26.08.2007reply

its my dream machine...,availability at greece & cost?

MR. Bhanu, e-mail, 12.08.2007reply

i wanted to buy a group of helicopter for my family,so kindly give the details of ur helicopter....

Mike, e-mail, 10.07.2007reply

have they passed the Uk regulations- where are they available to see- how much etc

Konrad Lozinski, e-mail, 10.07.2007reply

the Dragonfly 333 (modified) will be back in production.
Here is the new location and contact information:

DF Helicopters Srl
Viale G.Disegna
Località Aeroporto
17038 Villanova di Albenga (SV)
Tel.+39-0182-580041
Fax +39-0182-582427
www.df-helicopters.eu

sean, e-mail, 02.07.2007reply

How much,where can I get one.

Russ |Cason, e-mail, 13.06.2007reply

How much!!!!!

Kris, e-mail, 01.06.2007reply

I am from Poland.
Is there a kit available or plans, how much?
Best regards.
Kris

Simone, e-mail, 08.05.2007reply

This is teh address:
Dragon Fly SRL - Via Raffaello 1 /A - Cucciago (Co.) - Italia
Tel : +39 31 725 190
Fax : +39 31 787 642

Ricci V, e-mail, 06.05.2007reply

Mid 1997, I was fortunate enough to personally view the Dragon Fly 333 in the flesh (one black - one red) imported from NZ for the cattle mustering industry. They were well engineered and easily accessible to work on. However, due to lack of factory support, were shipped back to NZ without lifting off the ground. At the time, the reason from Italy was certification commitments. It's a shame not to have seen these great machine flying. It certainly would have given Frank Robinson and his R22 some competition.
Outback Engineer

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