TYPE: Two-seat home-built helicopter.

PROGRAMME: Based on the single-seat Helicom, designed and built by Harold ‘Pop’ Emigh and son in 1962; later developed into a two-seater with new 150hp Lycoming engine and further evolved into Commuter II A and B after rights acquired by International Helicopters in 1978. Canadian Home Rotors incorporated in 1986 and Baby Belle, further developed from the Commuter II B, introduced at EAA National Convention in Oshkosh in 1992. Baby Belle renamed Safari in 1999.

CUSTOMERS: 390 registered builders by September 2000.

COSTS: Standard kit without engine: US$48,500; with new Lycoming O-320-B2B engine: US$69,900.

DESIGN FEATURES: Two-blade semi-rigid teetering main rotor, turning at 500 rpm; composite rotor blades. Teetering two-blade tail rotor with stainless steel blades turning at 2,750 rpm. Aluminium cast housings; oil bath lubrication; integral sight glass for easy pre-flight; chip detector; dual controls as standard. Typical build-time: 600 to 700 hours.

STRUCTURE: Welded chrome alloy tube structure with sheet metal cabin enclosure; certified Bell 47 bubble.

LANDING GEAR: Twin skid removable landing gear; floats and bear paws optional.

POWER PLANT: One 119kW Lycoming 0-320-B2C four-cylinder, four-cycle air-cooled engine; dual magneto ignition and fuel injection optional. Fuel 100 LL Avgas or auto premium fuel; fuel capacity 106 litres.

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and passenger side by side in bucket or bench seat.

EQUIPMENT: Cargo hook optional.

Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems

Technical data for "Baby Belle"

Engine: 1 x Lycoming O-320 rated at 120.5kW, main rotor diameter: 7.62m, length: 9.0m, height: 2.67m, take-off weight: 370kg, max speed: 166km/h, cruising speed: 137km/h, ceiling: 2100m, range: 322km