Company founded 23 April 1998 by B J Schramm, originator of the RotorWay kit helicopter programme. Eagle's sales policy for its Helicycle includes mandatory test flying of customer-completed aircraft by a factory pilot before handover of final key components,

EAGLE HELICYCLE

TYPE: Single-seat ultralight helicopter kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Prototype (N3275Q) registered in April 1995. First customer-built aircraft (N9019U) assembled by Douglas Swochert of Burlington, Wisconsin; initially intended with two-stroke Rotax, but completed with T62 turboshaft and registered as a Swochert AAV 95.

CUSTOMERS: At least 30 kits sold by 2002. Mr Swochert registered a second in his name in April 2002.

DESIGN FEATURES: Embodies best features from Mr Schramm's experience of rotary-wing design; comparable in capabilities to industry-standard Robinson R22, but single-seat. Conventional appearance; small streamlined, enclosed cabin with power plant, gearbox and fuel immediately to rear; tail rotor and empennage mounted on open boom; dorsal and ventral fins, latter incorporating tail bumper. Two-blade main and tail rotors. Handling assisted by fully harmonised rotor; modulated collective system; elastomenc thrust bearings; generous flapping angle for low g and slope landing conditions; control friction devices; and electronic throttle control.

STRUCTURE: Metal tube structure with composites cabin.

LANDING GEAR: Twin-skid type.

POWER PLANT: One piston or turbine engine. Two-stroke Rotax initially proposed, but support changed in 2002 to Hirth 3701 rated at 64.9kW at 5,000 rpm. Alternative 59.6kW Rotax 912 flat-four installation under development in 2002.
First production helicopter flown with Solar T62 turbine ground power plant derated to 78.3kW; modified T62 installation offered by Eagle. Fuel capacity 79.0 litres.

Technical data for Helicycle (T62 engine) Main rotor diameter: 6.35m, tail rotor diameter: 1.12m, length overall: 6.05m, height overall: 2.18m, take-off weight: 372kg, empty weight: 229kg, max speed: 161km/h, max rate of climb: 274m/min, hovering ceiling IGE: 2895m, max range: 259km