Fri, Jul 29, 2011
New Engine Option For For The Top Of The Line
Rotorcraft
By David Juwel
Jim Fields, the head bee at Aeroworks International,
manufacturers of the Honey Bee Gyroplane, said Tuesday that the
2-place Honey Bee is now going to be supplied with the GM Ecotec
4-cylinder inline engine. The engine is rated at 200 hp but it will
be reduced to 180 hp for the Honey Bee 2-place. With this engine
the 2-place will climb at 1100 fpm (solo), and about 700 fpm
(dual). Cruise will be approximately 55-65 mph. When they put on
the planned enclosure (hopefully in December), they expect this to
increase to about 75-80 mph.
Honey Bee Two-Place Gyroplane
In addition to the new engine, they are going to make some other
changes to the 2-place. They are going to put tips on the rudder.
This will be especially beneficial when they enclose the machine.
They are also going to make the landing gear more robust by going
to a slab aluminum gear.
Jim Fields also advised us that he has developed a new
programmed training profile. They have an electronic system on the
2-place that limits the throttle so that the 2-place flies like the
model you're going to buy. For instance, if you buy the ultralight,
the 2-place will be limited to flying like the ultralight so that
your training equals what you're buying. They'll be able to do this
with each model being sold. What the electronic system does is
limit the airspeed and rate-of-climb according to the specific
model you're purchasing. The instructor has over-ride capabilities,
if needed.
Honey Bee Ultralight Gyroplane
Aeroworks International currently offers 5 models. A
single-place ultralight for $16,500. A microlight for $18,500. A
hi-performance single with a 110 hp Honda Fit engine for $24,995. A
2-place with the Honda Fit engine for $31,995. And finally, their
2-place with the GM Ecotec engine for $34,995. According to the
Wikiauto website, the GM Ecotec engine is a 4-cylinder engine
designed for long-life, low-maintenance, and noise reduction.
Until the 4th Quarter, each person buying the ultralight will be
given 5 hours of training in the 2-place gyroplane at their
headquarters. They don't do training during the winter.
Ecotech Engine
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