They were considered too complex for Sport Pilots. A reason given for this requirement - which regrettably also eliminated any chance of electric propulsion although this will be fixed in the new reg - was to prevent turbine powerplants. XE safety does not pose a problem Composite FX has delivered around 500 units and only two suffered serious accidents, according to the factory.Ĭomposite FX's Norbert Richter observes while a technician programs a CNC machine in their factory.Īnother challenge for XET as a SLSA: FAA permitted only piston engines for LSA when they issued their first regulation in 2004. As the agency significantly changes the rules for Light-Sport Aircraft, new doors could open.Ĭomposite FX personnel showed interest in looking into this opportunity and it is not unreasonable for FAA to at least consider these aircraft assuming appropriate ASTM standards can find acceptance (no helicopter standard has yet been proposed). It's too early to know but FAA's upcoming regulation may possibly accommodate rotary-winged aircraft - in addition to finally letting gyroplanes qualify as SLSA. Composite FX's XE line heightened my interest in rotary-winged aircraft. Learn more by visiting their web page or by viewing the two videos below. Simplifying, auto-rotating means turning a helicopter into a gyroplane and gliding to a landing. They produce a steady 95 horsepower.Īs Norbert explained, the light weight of the aircraft combined with that 19-foot, fast-spinning flywheel called the main rotor can make the action of auto-rotating much easier (though he advises you still have to act within one second of engine failure to maintain rotor speed). Are pilots who think helicopters are inherently dangerous equally myopic?Ĭomposite FX's engine shop modifies T62-T2A Solar Turbine engines, often used as an APU, or Auxiliary Power Unit. Yet most people looking at our lovely little airplanes suspect we are either crazy or thrill seekers. However, unlike big truck tires, the XE helicopter cog belts are modestly priced around $50, which seems like mighty cheap insurance for such a critical part.įirst, would you call aviation safe? You probably would and I'd agree. To avoid blowouts, semi-truck operators also change tires every five years whether visually needed or not. This simpler method is a key reason why not only are the XE helicopters well priced but why they have fewer repair problems and are significantly lighter in weight.Ĭog belts must be changed every five years even if they appear to be in excellent condition. Cogs, like gear teeth, insure against slippage. The quality of belts has so improved that they are now considered to be highly dependable. Instead of gears, Uptigrove substituted cog belts for this transmission.
Usually, helicopters have a costly, heavy, maintenance-intensive transmission to take some engine power and send it to the tail rotor at a higher speed while the rest is used to power the main rotor at a much lower speed.
Such engine operation and the need to direct power two ways and at two speeds is why original creator John Uptigrove's transmission simplification was so important. All XEs, regardless of model, run their engines at high revs during most of the flight. Their top-of-the-line is the XET, with "T" for "Turbine." The factory guys seem most stoked about this and no wonder. Of course, you have to build this one but they can help at the factory.
The XE290 is equipped with a more powerful engine, additional fuel, and more instrumentation. Perhaps you accept that Composite FX's XEL Part 103 model can legitimately make Part 103 using some lightweight floats - and yes, this is legal and proper, see this FAA document guiding field personnel. With this article I present two fresh videos about this company and their aircraft. The low mass of Part 103 ultralights can be optimal in some situations but don't take my word for it. As helicopters go, light weight can aid ease of operation. So, are all helicopters expensive and difficult to fly? "No," say Composite FX representatives. A Robinson R22, the company's lowest cost two seater, starts at $325,000. Those words almost don't belong in the same sentence: "afford" and "helicopter." Most pilots have little idea how much they cost because they're seen as expensive and devilishly hard to fly. The Florida producer makes a line of single seat helicopters many pilots could actually afford. A month ago as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 ended, the most popular article from my week of reporting from the big show focused on Composite FX.
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