Vertical Aviation Technologies Inc is FAA-approved repair facility for various Sikorsky helicopters. The company remanufactures Sikorsky S-55/H-19, S-58/H-34 and S-62. In 1984, began to modify four-seat Sikorsky S-52-3 former production helicopter (of which 95 originally produced, mainly for US Marine Corps as HO5S) into kit for assembly by individuals, corporations or military; all tooling and fixtures completed by 1988. Promotion and manufacture was interrupted by S-55 upgrade effort, but resumed at Sun ‘n’ Fun in April 2002, when upgraded S-52 was first shown.

VAT HUMMINGBIRD

TYPE: Four-seat helicopter kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Based on previously type-certified Sikorsky S-52-3 and first flown 1990. (S-52 prototype flew 12 February 1947; total 95 built). First batch of sales between 1989 and 1993; promotion lapsed between 1993 and 2001, when VAT efforts directed towards S-55QT Whisper Jet conversion. Modified Hummingbird shown at Sun 'n' Fun in April 2002; twin anhedral rail strakes replaced by more conventional horizontal stabilisers with endplates; Lycoming engine replacing 194kW Ford Taurus V-8; doors and engine cowling of composites.

CUSTOMERS: Fourteen Hummingbird kits sold by mid-1990s, of which 12 flying. Customers in China, Hungary, Slovak Republic, USA and UK.

COSTS: Kit US$169,900 (2003), excluding engine, avionics and upholstery.

DESIGN FEATURES: Newly manufactured airframes and tailcones identical to S-52-3, except for nose section. Quoted build time 800 hours; kit includes original Sikorsky components.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Two anhedral stabilisers of original S-52 replaced from 2002 by horizontal unit with endplates.

STRUCTURE: Mainly aluminium, with GFRP nose (from Bell JetRanger), doors, engine cowling, tailplane endplates and tailcone. Monocoque cabin and tailboom; metal tube centre-section.

LANDING GEAR: Four-wheel type, fixed; oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbes on each leg; rear wheels 5.00-5; forward wheels 4.10/3.50. Hydraulic brakes on rear.

POWER PLANT: One 194kW Textron Lycoming VO-435-A1F derated to 186kW driving three-blade fully articulated main rotor and two-blade tail rotor. Unlimited transmission. Fuel capacity 216 litres. Oil capacity 11 litres.

ACCOMODATION: Four persons, including pilot(s); door each side at front; rear door port only.

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

Technical data for Hummingbird Main rotor diameter: 10.06m, tail rotor diameter: 1.75m, overall length, rotors turning: 12.11m, fuselage length: 9.30m, height overall: 2.95m, max. take-off weight: 1225kg, empty weight: 816kg, never-exceed speed: 177km/h, cruising speed: 145km/h, max rate of climb at sea level: 381m/min, hovering ceiling IGE: 2,745m, hovering ceiling OGE: 1,220m, service ceiling: 3,660m, range: 563km