FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the
GEN H-4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does it
fly?
Can anyone fly it
How
long can it fly?
How fast will it fly?
How much fuel does it
burn?
What type of fuel does it
use?
What is the fuel tank size?
How big is the GEN
H-4?
How much weight can it carry?
How is
the direction of travel controlled?
Can it auto-rotate?
Where is the tail
rotor?
How is the yaw
controled?
What engine does the GEN H-4
use?
What if an engine quits?
Can
the GEN H-4 fly on only three engines?
What are the rotors made
of?
Where is this GEN H-4 being
made?
Who designed the GEN H-4?
When can I purchase a GEN
H-4?
What form will the GEN H-4 be sold
in?
Q : Does it fly?
A : Yes,
This particular prototype has been flown continuously
since 1999.
Q : Can anyone fly it?
A : Yes,
With minimum
training, necessary for safety.
Q : How long can it fly?
A : It depends on the pilot's weight
On average a 70kg (155 lb.) pilot can fly approximately 1 hour
on a 5-gallon tank of fuel.
Q : How fast will it fly?
A : Maximum speed is estimated at 55 mph
Q : How much fuel does it burn?
A : 5 gal/hour
When pilot weight is 70 kg (155 lb.)
Q : What type of fuel does it use?
A : 30:1 mixture of automobile gasoline and two
stroke oil
Q : What is the fuel tank size?
A : Between 2 and 5 gallons
Ultralight regulations limit the fuel tank to a max. of 5
gal.
Q : How big is the GEN H-4?
A : Rotor dia=12ft / height=8ft / net weight=140lbs / gross
wt=380lbs
Q : How much weight can it carry?
A : Currently with 40 horse power the max. pilot
weight is about 190 lbs.
Larger engines
are in the works.
Q : How is the direction of travel
controlled?
A : By the control
bar.
The entire rotor-head is supported
on a gimbal, which is slanted towards the direction of travel by the control bar
(in other words a weight shift controls the direction of trvel).
Q : Can it auto-rotate? (descend safely in the case
of engine failure)
A : No.
In order to keep the helicopter simple and easy to
fly the pitch in the rotors is fixed making auto-rotation impossible. A balistic
parachute will be provided in case of multiple engine failure.
Q : Where is the tail rotor?
A : The GEN H-4 does not have a tail rotor.
The two identical rotors travel in opposite directions making
a tail rotor obsolete. The rotors counteract each others torque keeping the
helicopter free of any unwanted spin.
Q : How is the yaw controled?
A : Yaw is controlled through a differential gear within the
transmission.
An electric motor adjusts
the postioning of a differential gear, which changes the speed of the counter
rotating blades in relation to each other causing torque on the helicopter which
results in yaw in either direction as directed by the pilot.
Q : What engine does the GEN H-4 use?
A : It uses four GEN-125 engines
Each engine is a 10hp/125cc engine. Click here for more info on engines
Q : What if an engine quits?
A : The stopped engine simply falls out of sequence and flight
continues.
Each engine is independent with its own ignition, starter, and
clutch making simultaneous loss of all four engines very unlikely.
Q : Can the GEN H-4 fly on only three
engines?
A : Yes
Three engines is enough power to sustain flight in the GEN
H-4. As each engine has its own clutch the loss of one engine results in it
being overridden by the other three (the minimum power needed for
hovering).
Q : What are the rotors made of?
A : Carbon /Kevlar composite.
Q : Where is this GEN H-4 being made?
A : Matsumoto, Japan
In the Japanese Alps near Nagano, Japan.
Q : Who designed the GEN H-4?
A : Mr. Gen Yanagisawa.
President of Engineering System Co. Japan.
Q : When can I purchase a GEN H-4?
A : Good Question!
Sales of PROTOTYPE models are expected to begin summer
of 2000. When the GEN H-4 becomes available it will be clearly posted on this
web site.
Q : What form will the GEN H-4 be sold in?
A : Kit form only.
The GEN H-4 will be a completely experimental aircraft.
Building time of the kit is expected to take approximately 30~40hrs.