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.
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.
