scorpion helicopter

afterburn 549 · 01-19-2007, 07:46 AM

Anyone know of one that actually flies ?? I know of a "deal" on one and b4 I jump..... want to get some input from the all knowing board here.
Is a 2 seater with their eng. not a outboard. A 135 Hp 4 cyl.
thanx

Joeaksa · 01-19-2007, 07:47 AM

Believe that there is one or two of them in my area but not sure. Seen them at fly-in's from time to time.

Tim Hancock · 01-19-2007, 08:03 AM

Aren't those all "kit built"? If so, obviously you will want to be careful and make sure everything is up to snuff before going up in one of those.

I am all for the whole build your own airplane thing, but I am leary of all helicopters as I just can't get over the thought of a main rotor coming apart due to a bad ball joint or metal fatigue. The certified helicopters often have mandatory time in service replacement parts, but if the scorpian is homebuilt, you may be rolling the dice.

Homebuilt airplanes do not scare me like the thought of homebuilt helicopters do. I guess I figure in an airplane, a typical problem might involve an engine failure, but I have a chance at making an off airport landing. If the main rotor comes unglued from a helicopter, you are screwed.

A local guy who operates mainly R22's had a whole rotor assembly depart his Enstrom once, luckily for him, he was only about ten feet off the ground. As he collected his wits and shut the engine down, he looked up and saw the main rotor assembly spinning back towards him like a boomerang. It missed him, but he swore after surviving the intial crash, he was going to get taken out by the d@mn rotor!

Just be cautious!

afterburn 549 · 01-19-2007, 08:19 AM

Hmm..I am too arogent to be swayed, I luv helicopters. Lots of time on them in dwn town S.E Asia. I just cant afford a Huey ! So looking for a cheaper solution.
Just dont want to buy into a proj. that can never work

cashflyer · 08:45 AM

It's been several years, but I looked into them and will relay what I know and what I can copy from available data:

Scorpion was a single seater, Scorpion II was a 2 seater.

Scorpion was the first offering from Rotorway, makers of the "Exec" series. Rotorway still offers some parts, but the aircraft is no longer "factory supported".

Scorpion became available in the late 60's.
The early models had very short life-limited parts - models after 1971 started addressing this somewhat.

The Scorpion II became available in 1972.

Earlier models had wood composite blades and an Evinrude 2-stroke engine. Later models, after 1974, featured a Rotorway manufactured engine - the RW133. If you must buy a Scorpion, these are the best to own as they have the most improvements.

All were AMATEUR BUILT, so be sure to inspect the helo very carefully. Being amateur built also means that you may find one that does not have the original type engine. I actually saw one with a Mazda 12A for power. (although I did not see it fly...)

Scorpion and Scorpion II were discontinued around 1980. The plans are now offered by a company called Vortech.

Believe it or not, the US Army planned a purchase of the original Scorpions as expendible scout helos. One even sits in the Fort Rucker museum.

I've also been told that one was used in a James Bond film.

Promo pic:

Joeaksa · 01-19-2007, 09:13 AM

After,

They are made not far from where I live, here in Phoenix. Let me ask some of the locals down in that area what they know about them.

Agree with what Tim said and as long as I had overhauled the bird would fly it. Items like rotor blades and such need live limits and if they are used and you are not 100% positive of their condition and history, should be scrapped or returned to the factory for reconditioning IMHO, but them I am an A&P mechanic and ex-inspector and do not take chances on things like this.

Joe

fastpat · 01-19-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by afterburn 549
Hmm..I am too arogent to be swayed, I luv helicopters. Lots of time on them in dwn town S.E Asia. I just cant afford a Huey ! So looking for a cheaper solution.
Just dont want to buy into a proj. that can never work

One of the helicopter mechs I used to work with had one, said it flew pretty well. Helicopters require a lot more maintenance than fixed wings do, just balancing the main and tail rotors can be a lengthy experience. I'd think about acquiring an ultralight fixed wing before I'd get into a light helicopter.

Tim Hancock · 10:08 AM

Don't know if you would be interested, but I have seen these fly at Oshkosh and they were pretty cool. They had a bare (no body) version and a nicer looking bodied version.
They were under 30K in price. http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/index.asp
I would love to build one, but I just can't get past the whole spindly rotor of a helicopter vs a fixed wing. (I have done all sorts of "crazy" hobbies/sports: skiing kayaking, motocross racing, car and cart racing, ultralights, experimental aircraft etc etc, but skydiving and helicopters just seem wrong to me for some reason

) Call me a woose if you must .

(I hope Lendaddy does not read this!)

I have rode in and had stick time in helicopters and someday I intend to skydive a couple times (to make it less traumatic should I ever need to bail while doing aerobatics), but I guess I only like deadly fun when I am in control of how close I am to the edge. The chance that a chute might not open or a rotor will fail, while rare, just seems too much out of my control to be ok with.

cashflyer · 01-19-2007, 11:27 AM

Turbine powered "Helicycle." Kit cost = $37k

The "Baby Belle" (aka: Safari) Kit cost ~$60k.
Lycoming powered.

Eric Coffey · 01-19-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
...but skydiving and helicopters just seem wrong to me for some reason )

Bah, you need to try skydiving FROM a helicopter then!

afterburn 549 · 01-19-2007, 09:50 PM

Thanks for all the replies, info and input.
A turbine would be the way to go..but is spendy in a hurry. True most A/C parts have a TBO. Thats not the problem, just want to make sure I dont bite on a craft that is brick from the start

Seahawk · 04:19 AM

The Rotorway Exec is a great helicopter...the series, 'A Chopper is Born' included a very detailed look at the manufacturing facility, which was very impressive.

I have a lot of helicopter time, have been a maintenance officer at both the detachment and squadron level and also spent three years at the Sikosrdky factory in CT. as the Chief Test Pilot where I got very invovled with the maunfacturing and production process.

In addition, one of the projects I am currently managing is 'unmanning' a manned helicopter, a Switzer 333/335 hybrid. The aircraft is manufactured in NY and the avionics are integrated in Miss. Again, I have been to the factory numerous times and have detailed knowledge of the fit and finish of the helo.

Given all that, I would not hesitate to build and fly a Rotorway. I would put the manufacturing element on par with Sikorsky and Switzer.

Thw only reason I won't build one is because I am going to build an RV8 kit plane...I want to get my fixed wing time up to my helicopter time