VTOL Aircraft Phillicopter

The VTOL Aircraft Phillicopter is a 1970s Australian light utility helicopter designed and built by VTOL Aircraft of Newcastle West, New South Wales.^[1]

Phillicopter
Role	Light utility helicopter
National origin	Australia
Manufacturer	VTOL Aircraft
First flight	1971

Design

Duan A. Phillips began work on design of a two-seat helicopter in 1962, and started to build a prototype in 1967. The prototype, the Phillicopter Mark I, was completed and first flew in 1971, powered by a single 145 hp (108 kW) Rolls-Royce Continental O-200 engine.^[2] Phillips set up VTOL Aircraft Pty Ltd in 1971 to construct and develop the Phillicopter.^[3] The Phillicopter was granted its Australian type certificate in 1984,^[4] and the prototype was modified to represent a pre-production standard.^[5]

The Phillicopter is a conventional two-seat helicopter with a two-blade rotor powered by a 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 piston engine.^[1] It has an enclosed cabin with removable doors and is fitted with dual controls.^[1] The open frame fuselage has a two-blade tail rotor at the rear.^[1] A 91-litre fuel tank is fitted and an optional 91-litre central tank can be fitted, although this can also be used for crop spraying chemicals rather than fuel.^[1] The Phillicopter has a fixed skid type landing gear.^[1]

Specifications

Data from ^[1]Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.07 m (23 ft 2 in)
• Height: 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in)
• Empty weight: 454 kg (1,000 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 703 kg (1,550 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 piston engine, 130 kW (180 hp)
• Main rotor diameter: 7.77 m (25 ft 6 in)
• Main rotor area: 47.38 m² (510.0 sq ft)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 139 km/h (86 mph, 75 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 203 km/h (126 mph, 110 kn)
• Range: 694 km (431 mi, 375 nmi) with full payload and optional centre tank.
• Service ceiling: 4,900 m (16,000 ft)

See also

Related lists

• List of rotorcraft