|
First aired in September 2002, Mark Evans
along with his loyal (if ageing) side-kick
Pete Walker took on their latest mad-cap
building project after the construction
of two cars and an aeroplane. A Chopper
is Born followed Marks 6 month odyssey to
build a kit helicopter.
The Rotorway Exec
162 is the most popular kit helicopter in
the world. Manufactured in Phoenix, Arizona,
Rotorway have been building Helicopter kits
for nearly 30 years.
After researching the whole self-build
rotorcraft industry, Executive Producer
Keith Duddy chose a Rotorway because "The
quality of the engineering was second to
none and you ended up with a very aspirational
looking aircraft that looked 'designed'
rather than evolved."
From an engineering point of view the chopper
was the most ambitious project yet, each
programme required detailed research in
order that best practice was shown on screen.
To help build the helicopter off-screen
and provide much needed technical information,
we were assisted by David and Jonathan Bull
from Southern Helicopters - the UK distributor
for Rotorway. The quality of their engineering
work and the professionalism of their kit
was the best we have seen bar none.
History of the Exec 162
This model represents the culmination of over 30 years of research, development,
testing, progress and proven performance. It is the number one choice in the kit helicopter
marketplace, having earned that spot by providing a safe, reliable, enduring way to
enjoy rotorcraft flight.
In 1996, Netherwood opted to retire and go home to England.
Recognizing an opportunity, the employees of the company bought RotorWay International
through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (or ESOP), making the company one of only
a handful of kit manufacturers with any kind of employee ownership at all.
Improvements
continue to take place, namely in the capabilities of the FADEC system (Fully Automated
Digital Electronic Control) of the Exec 162F. Using the latest online technology, the
customer is able to connect the FADEC system on his helicopter to a laptop and modem
and then directly to the factory in Arizona. From Arizona, RotorWay technicians can
diagnose, tune and adjust FADEC and engine functions for a customer located anywhere
in the world.
This is a technological development unheard of in the experimental category
and practiced only among a few of the certified helicopter companies. RotorWay International
was also the first to provide a complete and detailed construction and maintenance
video series for the amateur builder in order to assure the proper construction and
maintenance of each customer's aircraft.
These series have met with great reviews by
aviation editors and customers alike. One of the most recent developments also includes
the ACIS. This Altitude Compensation Induction System is lightweight and efficient,
allowing the RI 162F engine to maintain standard sea level performance up to higher
density altitude than ever before.
By not demanding any more power at altitude than
is produced at sea level, the life of the engine is unaffected, while its performance
at higher altitude is enhanced. Utilizing a belt-driven supercharger concept, cooler
outside air is compressed to a set pressure. This method does away with the hotter
intake air and lag associated with a turbocharger.
The pressurized air from the ACIS
is made available to the intake system through the throttle valve. Manifold pressure
is limited only by the amount of compressed air available. Unique to this system is
the continued redundancy of the RI 162F engine. The ACIS uses an electro-mechanical
inlet gate control and is connected to the FADEC which monitors and maintains proper
limits. This follows RotorWay's goal to provide a failsafe system for the Exec 162F.
The ACIS system is the result of hundreds of hours of research and successful testing,
meeting strict standards set by RotorWay International.
|
