Helicopter kits? Small copters for individuals?

Question

-How much do they cost?

-How Safe are they really?

-Do you need a special license?

-Can you take off and land any where?

It's just a thought but I have been looking at these mosquito's

http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/mosquitoxe.asp

Answer 1

Cost

If you click your region on this map from the site you gave, they will give you a price:

http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbb...

I put in my region (Texas, USA) and got $31,000.

http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbb...

Safety

First, helicopters are not less safe than airplanes. That's complete BS.

For any particular make and model, you really need to prove to yourself that it is safe through your research. Talk to as many owners as possible. See what problems they have had, if any. Research other similar helicopters as well for comparison. Start with Google, and the website you listed. Also, don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable. If you ever have doubts about the safety of something, don't fly until you can prove it is safe.

For me personally, I like to fly a proven design with a good safety record, like the Hughes 269/Schweizer 300:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_XH-4...

This one is obviously much more expensive, but I can hop in each time with absolute confidence that if something goes wrong, I have the best chance of survival possible.

In any event, safety lies more with the pilot and the maintenance than with the aircraft. More accidents are the result of the pilot, than a result of the aircraft. As the pilot in command, you are responsible for the safety of that aircraft. If you set out to be a safe pilot, and make that your highest goal, this alone will go a long way to preventing problems. You might also consider having a trained and experienced mechanic build it for you. I know I wouldn't trust anything I built myself. Educating yourself about your aircraft will also contribute to safety. Do whatever you can to learn as much as you can.  

Here are a few helicopter sites with discussion forums where you can interact with other pilots, and possibly some who have experience with that aircraft:

http://www.verticalreference.com/

http://www.justhelicopters.com/home/defa...

http://www.heliopshelitacforums.com/foru...

http://www.rotorwingflight.com/

Here are a couple more kit helicopters for you to look into:

http://www.rotorway.com/index.php

http://www.helicycle.com/

Here is a website for discussions among Rotorway kit helicopter owners. It may be a good resource for you, or you might try finding similar forums for owners of the Mosquito.

http://www.rotorwayownersgroup.com/

Do you need a special license?

"Q: Is a pilot’s license required to fly the Mosquito XE/XEL?

A: The MosquitoXE is an experimental helicopter and therefore a pilots license and a certificate of airworthiness is required to fly it. The float equipped Mosquito XE, designated the Mosquito XEL is a US regulation ultralight and therefore no pilots license or certificate of airworthiness is required."

http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbb...

To get a private pilot certificate in the US requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time. Most people go beyond the minimum. 60-80 hours is an average range. The more consistently you train, the less time it will take. For an ultralight, you do not need a pilot certificate, but you should definitely get a lot of training before flying. You might ask the company about training, and where most of their buyers go to get training.

You can find flight school listings here:

http://www.sacusa.com/1directory/states....

http://www.verticalreference.com/helicop...

Can you takeoff and land anywhere?

In order to land anywhere other than public airports, you must comply with both federal and local regulations. The FAA forbids anything that would create an undue hazard. Your local government may have noise regulations, or they may even specifically forbid helicopter landings. Finally, you must have permission of the owner of any property where you plan to land. These will greatly limit the areas where you can legally land.

You should also keep in mind that ultralights have special requirements, so they can not enter all airspaces:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/tex...

I hope this information helps, but please do a lot of homework before you begin.

Have fun!

Answer 2

flax has no idea what he's talking about. Neither  does irv.

Helicopters have a far lower fatality rate than airplanes..

Answer 3

Forget about this project.  Helicopters are inherently dangerous in the first place, much less trying to build your own.

Answer 4

* That site will give you prices.

* Helicopters are intrinsically less safe and stable than fixed wing aircraft.

Any 'homebuilt' is only as good as the builder.

* You still need a license and need to follow the FARs.

Answer 5

If the kit is light enough then you dont need a license at all.  I am also looking into building one.  They are more expensive than regular airplanes though, way more expensive.  Harder to fly too but once you get used to it then off you go.    You can find kits in aircraft magazines, i usually get one called kit plane, something like that aircraft magazines are usually all together just go and look toward the back and you'll find the kits that are out there for sale.