Two-Place Aircraft Available As Kit Or Ready-To-Fly
By Dave Juwel
SKT Canada is displaying a new helicopter with an interesting pedigree. It is of Italian design, but manufactured in Switzerland.
The STK Skyrider is available either as a finished aircraft or in kit form. The SKT is a 2-place aircraft with almost 500 lbs of useful load. Range is determined by the size gas tank you put into it with a choice ranging from 17 to 29 gallons.
The helicopter has numerous changes from what might be found in a traditional small helicopter design. For example, they use a small electric brushless motor to pre-spin the blades to 70 RPM before starting the engine. This motor then becomes a generator. On the instrument panel, the EFIS is switched quickly from screen to screen by pushing a coolie hat on the cyclic stick. Internally the helicopter is built on a triangulated steel frame. The outer airframe was designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, and the three rotor blades are made of dense fiberglass with aerodynamic tips which reduce drag and noise. The frame, the skids and the rotor head have all been engineered to work together to prevent ground resonance.
The tail rotor shaft is carbon fiber. There is a small belt on the engine that engages the tail-rotor shaft, eliminating the need for extensive belts and pulleys. The tail cone is one piece from the engine to the tail, with a single inspection port. The push-pull control cables are rated at 1200 kilos in strength, but only use 7 kilos to operate. The tail rotor blades are carbon fiber.
The MW Fly LSA engine is a flat four cylinder, water-cooled engine that features dual-electronic fuel injection, integrated reduction gear, dual fully redundant fuel pumps, and ECUs. The engine is 150hp and burns auto gas. The engines now include new engine-monitoring instruments developed by P.A.T. Avionics. The HSA-M engine health status annunciator provides comprehensive information on engine temp, oil pressure, fuel pump, dual battery option, generator, and ECU health. It even tells the pilot when the engine is ready for takeoff.
The helicopter cruises at 75 kts with a 100 kt VNE. There is baggage space underneath each seat, as well as an additional baggage compartment under the engine cowling on top of the fuel tank.
The fully completed helicopter will have a price point of about $240,000.00, less for the kit. If you purchase a complete unit from the factory, it will be completely tested before delivery.
The designers appear to have used a lot of overkill to ensure structural and operating integrity.
The North American dealer is located in Canada.
(Staff images)
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