Masquito M80
| M80 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight helicopter |
| National origin | Belgium |
| Manufacturer | Masquito Aircraft |
| First flight | May 1996 (M58) |
| Number built | 4 |
| Developed from | Maschelin M58 Masquito |
The Masquito M80 was a Belgian two-seat ultralight helicopter designed and built by Masquito Aircraft.[1]
Design and development
The prototype was designated the Maschelin M58 Masquito. It was a conventional pod and boom design and was powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine driving a two-bladed main rotor and a two-bladed tail rotor.[1] It had two side-by-side seats and was fitted with two fixed skids as a landing gear.[1] The M58 first flew in May 1996; it was later modified to the proposed production standard with a Jabiru 2200 engine and re-designated the M80.[1] Three further M80 prototypes were built but the type failed to gain the appropriate certification and no others were produced.
A Belgian company, D-Motor was set up to design and build a suitable motor for the M80. Two engines with a high power-to-weight ratio were produced: first, the D-Motor LF26 (a 92 hp (69 kW) flat four) and, later, the D-Motor LF39 (a 125 hp (93 kW) flat-six). Unlike the Jabiru motor, these Belgian horizontally-opposed engines have fuel-injection, liquid-cooling and, having side-valves, are ultra-compact, .
Variants
- Maschelin M58 Masquito
- Prototype with a Rotax 582 engine.[1]
- Masquito M80
- Production variant with a Jabiru 2200 engine.[1]
Specifications (M80)
Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 5.80 m (19 ft 0¼ in)
- Main rotor diameter: 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
- Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 4½ in)
- Main rotor area: 16.62 m2 (178.9 ft2)
- Empty weight: 170 kg (375 lb)
- Gross weight: 390 kg (859 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Jabiru 2200 flat-four piston, 60 kW (80 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph)
- Cruising speed: 148 km/h (92 mph)
- Range: 680 km (422 miles)
- Service ceiling: 3050 m (10000 ft)
See also
- Related lists
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Paul Jackson, ed. (1999). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1999-2000. Jane's Information Group Limited. ISBN 0-7106-1898-0.