Back Vertical Aviation Technologies "Hummingbird"
1990

VAT Hummingbird

Vertical Aviation Technologies Inc is FAA-approved repair facility for various Sikorsky helicopters. The company remanufactures Sikorsky S-55/H-19, S-58/H-34 and S-62. In 1984, began to modify four-seat Sikorsky S-52-3 former production helicopter (of which 95 originally produced, mainly for US Marine Corps as HO5S) into kit for assembly by individuals, corporations or military; all tooling and fixtures completed by 1988. Promotion and manufacture was interrupted by S-55 upgrade effort, but resumed at Sun ‘n’ Fun in April 2002, when upgraded S-52 was first shown.

VAT HUMMINGBIRD

TYPE: Four-seat helicopter kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Based on previously type-certified Sikorsky S-52-3 and first flown 1990. (S-52 prototype flew 12 February 1947; total 95 built). First batch of sales between 1989 and 1993; promotion lapsed between 1993 and 2001, when VAT efforts directed towards S-55QT Whisper Jet conversion. Modified Hummingbird shown at Sun 'n' Fun in April 2002; twin anhedral rail strakes replaced by more conventional horizontal stabilisers with endplates; Lycoming engine replacing 194kW Ford Taurus V-8; doors and engine cowling of composites.

CUSTOMERS: Fourteen Hummingbird kits sold by mid-1990s, of which 12 flying. Customers in China, Hungary, Slovak Republic, USA and UK.

COSTS: Kit US$169,900 (2003), excluding engine, avionics and upholstery.

DESIGN FEATURES: Newly manufactured airframes and tailcones identical to S-52-3, except for nose section. Quoted build time 800 hours; kit includes original Sikorsky components.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Two anhedral stabilisers of original S-52 replaced from 2002 by horizontal unit with endplates.

STRUCTURE: Mainly aluminium, with GFRP nose (from Bell JetRanger), doors, engine cowling, tailplane endplates and tailcone. Monocoque cabin and tailboom; metal tube centre-section.

LANDING GEAR: Four-wheel type, fixed; oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbes on each leg; rear wheels 5.00-5; forward wheels 4.10/3.50. Hydraulic brakes on rear.

POWER PLANT: One 194kW Textron Lycoming VO-435-A1F derated to 186kW driving three-blade fully articulated main rotor and two-blade tail rotor. Unlimited transmission. Fuel capacity 216 litres. Oil capacity 11 litres.

ACCOMODATION: Four persons, including pilot(s); door each side at front; rear door port only.

Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 2004-2005

VAT Hummingbird

Technical data for Hummingbird

Main rotor diameter: 10.06m, tail rotor diameter: 1.75m, overall length, rotors turning: 12.11m, fuselage length: 9.30m, height overall: 2.95m, max. take-off weight: 1225kg, empty weight: 816kg, never-exceed speed: 177km/h, cruising speed: 145km/h, max rate of climb at sea level: 381m/min, hovering ceiling IGE: 2,745m, hovering ceiling OGE: 1,220m, service ceiling: 3,660m, range: 563km

Current version of Vertical Aviation Technologies Hummingbird

Comments1-20 21-40
Ron Hoffman Rj, e-mail, 04.09.2016reply

If you also message Facebook that mine. I don't have Email.
Anyways, Have yous ever thought of making a turbine model.
Or stretching it slightly. For more room and cargo space.
Cause if you do. That would make it more versatile.
More versatility can mean more sales.

avtomat03@mail.ru, 25.04.2014reply

ÿ èç Ðîññèè ìåíÿ èíòåðèñóåò ñåðòèôèêàöèÿ hummingbird â Ðîññèè âîçìîæíà ???

avtomat03@mail.ru, 25.04.2014reply

ÿ èç Ðîññèè ìåíÿ èíòåðèñóåò ñåðòèôèêàöèÿ hummingbird â Ðîññèè âîçìîæíà ???

jarjour, e-mail, 22.08.2010reply

I live in Brazilm and im realy interested in this heli, can you give me an idea of price delivered in zip 71 608900, fully equiped and fast monted kit
Thanks

Don Hillberg, e-mail, 30.08.2010reply

One question ,Brad, Could you use the old type certificate and get a normal,utility catagory Airworthyness certificate for the S-52 "Hummig bird?"

B, e-mail, 08.09.2010reply

I have S52 parts, NS Condition, for your replacement needs. Please let us know what you need.

B, e-mail, 08.09.2010reply

I have S52 parts, NS Condition, for your replacement needs. Please let us know what you need.

fabio, e-mail, 26.12.2013reply

I would like to understand if you can rent this helicopter and fly to other nations?

fabio, e-mail, 26.12.2013reply

I would like to understand if you can rent this helicopter and fly to other nations?

GEOCI LEONAR BARBOSA, e-mail, 18.08.2012reply

Mr.
I have interest in Hummingbird Kit or similar, could you send to me information about the specification, photos and price?
Best Regards

Leonar

junfeng, e-mail, 06.09.2012reply

Mr.I have interest in Hummingbird Kit or similar, could you send to me information about the specification, photos and price?Best RegardsLeonar

Brad, e-mail, 26.03.2010reply

In regards to Ceri Thomas's bitterness of the Hummingbird let me correct his information. The Hummingbird was developed into kit form because there was no other four place helicopter kit. It is approved in almost all countries including Canada as a four place, 2800 lb helicopter. Europe is pending. A safe, proven design, easy to build, easy to fly. Look at the NTSB reports. There are more modifications and improvements to the original design than can be listed here. To date no one has dropped out of the build process or given up. This says a lot about our program and support. Over 128 Hummingbird kits have been sold since 1991 and during that time we were involved in many other commercial helicopter projects. Customers are building with full avionics, glass panels, leather interior, Imron paint for under $215,000. Compare this price to a new R-44 not a Rotorway. You get what you pay for. As far as I know Ceri has never been to our factory or flown a Hummingbird but I would like to extend my hand and invite him. He would be impressed.

rishiraj singh, e-mail, 01.03.2010reply

am from india looking for a kit helicopter 2 to 4 seater however i can buy at 8000 /- to 9000 /- $ range please suggest one for me

jordy, e-mail, 17.01.2010reply

I have a the nicest hummingbird ever built. and I just decided to sell it.
check it out on facebook: www.facebook.com /pages /Hummingbird-Helicopter-By-Vertical-Aviation /192234636154?ref=ts
$239,000
Thanks

Taye Ferede, e-mail, 05.10.2009reply

Hi
can I Get some additional document for the helicopter such as log book and others?

Don Hillberg, e-mail, 12.06.2009reply

Its a sikorsky 52 with a bell nose job,Think i'll build another 4 seat turbine kit,or finih my other 3 at home

Ceri, e-mail, 04.08.2008reply

Spook, I have no motive other than the facts. I'm not selling another type of helicopter here. I do fly one yes, it's only from a owner /pilots view. Your price doesn't include the $48,000 quick build option, the rear doors for $1,200.00. Then there's the avionics that aren't included. The upholstry will add up along with climate controls, paint, certification and freight charges. Your $170,000.00 version would be without seats, navigation, communications, heat, paint and an extra 600hrs of work. If you built an aircraft before you would know what the undeclared extras would roughly be. Avionics add up extremely fast if you ever bought those things you would know. The cost for shipping to you in South Africa would be a frieghtening bill to say the least, as they are in Florida, USA.

spook, e-mail, 21.07.2008reply

It seems Ceri has an ulterior motive!! Depends what you mean by ugly. Maybe you find the LandRover Defender ugly as well?? And $1 /4 million? My calculation comes in at about $170000!! What I would want is a really good, reliable and strong workhorse - it seems the Hummingbird may be just that!

ceri, e-mail, 19.04.2008reply

This helicopter is big all right but ugly as hell. Kind of like what a Mi-2 Hoplite mated with a Bell 204 and this is there child. This chopper is very hard to certify as it's over 1,500lbs and has over two seats. The price of over a 1 /4 million dollars completed, makes it unrealistic as one cannot use it for hire of any kind. The inssurance is something that will shock anyone. It's a nice idea but not well thought out for the regulation system on most of Earth. One can get 3 Exec turbine powered ones for the price of one of these. There is no plans only a kit for them. The mentioned drawbacks are the reason only 27 are flying since 1991. If it was easier to certify and afford, it would be great choice, but only IF. I looked at this one before getting my Jet Exec. My hat is off for those who faught to build and certify this monster.

mehmet ünal, e-mail, 19.01.2008reply

Iwant to buy second hand hummingbird helicopter.how can ý find this helicopter.

1-20 21-40
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