RotorWay Exec

{{Short description|American kit helicopter}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}

{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name = Exec 162F

|logo =

|image = RotorwayExec01.jpg

|caption =

|type = Amateur-built helicopter

|manufacturer = RotorWay International

|designer =

|first_flight = 1994

|introduction = 1994

|retired =

|status = Production completed

|primary_user =

|more_users =

|produced = 1994 - 2011

|number_built =

|developed_from =

|variants = Alpi Syton AH 130
RotorWay A600 Talon
Hillberg Turbine Exec

}}

File:Rotorway Exec flights.jpg

The RotorWay Exec is a family of American two-bladed, skid-equipped, two-seat kit helicopters, manufactured by RotorWay International of Chandler, Arizona and supplied in kit form for amateur-construction.

Design and development

The Exec 162F is the latest in the Exec series of helicopters manufactured by RotorWay International.

The RotorWay Scorpion design was updated with an aluminum tail and full fiberglass cockpit enclosure to become the Exec.{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|date=August 1989|title=Executive Privilege|author=Peter Lert}} The Exec 90 was developed in the early 1990s, it was, at the time, the only piston-powered helicopter to utilize an asymmetrical airfoil for improved autorotation characteristics and safety.

In 1994, a fuel injection system with electronic ignition, and FADEC was added to the Exec 90, producing the Exec 162F.

Unlike most U.S.-designed helicopters, the main rotor on the Exec 162F rotates clockwise, as seen from above.

The Exec series was further developed into the RotorWay A600 Talon, which replaced the Exec in production.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X

Operational history

Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has a custom-painted Rotorway Exec 162F with his name and a picture of Walter on the aircraft.{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCepNGDZ5vs&NR=1|title = Jeff Dunham and Walter in their helicopter|accessdate = 2010-01-24|last = Country Music Television| website=YouTube |authorlink = |date=September 2007}}

Variants

;Rotorway Windstar

:Four place development that was cancelled.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

;RotorWay Exec 90

:Introduced in 1990, improvement of the original RotorWay Exec, Electronic ignition, eyebrow windows, elastomeric control head.{{cite magazine|magazine=Flying|date=August 1991|volume=118|issue=8|last=George |first=Fred |title=Exec 90 back on course |pages=112–114}}

;RotorWay Exec 162F

:FADEC improved model.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 189 and 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485XPurdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 329. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}

;AvioTecnica ES-101 Raven

:In 1996 AvioTecnica of Italy marketed the Exec as the ES-101 Exec with a turbine engine instead of the piston engine. In 2004 it produced an improved variant it named the Aviotechnica ES-101 Raven powered by a modified Solar T-62-A turboshaft. Other improvements include carbon-fibre rotor blades, a two-piece windscreen and later models have a digital cockpit.

;Alpi Syton AH 130

:The Raven design was taken over by Alpi Aviation in late 2008 and the aircraft further developed into the Alpi Syton AH 130.

;Hillberg Turbine Exec

:A turbine conversion using the Solar T62 auxiliary power unit (APU) made by Hillberg Helicopters of Fountain Valley, California in the 1990s.Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 325. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}

Specifications

File:Rotorway Exec-162F VH-CCW.jpg

File:Rotorway Exec C-FXOA 03.JPG

{{Aircraft specs

|prime units? = imp

|ref=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Taylor 1999, pp. 365–366.

|crew=one

|capacity= one passenger

|length ft= 22

|length m=6.71

|span ft=25

|span m=7.62

|height ft=8

|height m=2.44

|wing area sqft= 380

|wing area sqm= 35.4

|empty weight lb= 975

|empty weight kg= 442

|max takeoff weight lb=1,500

|max takeoff weight kg= 680

|eng1 name=RotorWay RI 162F

|eng1 type=flat-four piston engine

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 hp= 150

|eng1 kw=112

|max speed mph= 115

|max speed kts= 100

|max speed kmh= 185

|max speed note=at sea level

|cruise speed mph= 95

|cruise speed kts= 82

|cruise speed kmh= 153

|range miles= 180

|range nmi=156

|range km=290

|endurance=2 hr with maximum fuel

|ceiling ft= 5,000

|ceiling m= 1,525

|ceiling note=hover ceiling, out of ground effect

|climb rate ftmin=1,000

|climb rate ms= 5.1

}}

See also

Notes

{{Reflist|refs=

Jackson 2008, p. 361

}}

References

  • Taylor, Michael J.H. (ed.). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. {{ISBN|1-85753-245-7}}.
  • Jackson, Paul (ed) Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2008-2009. Coulsdon, Surrey, England:Jane's Information Group, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2837-4}}