Redback Buzzard

The Redback Buzzard is an Australian helicopter that was designed and produced by Redback Aviation of Hoppers Crossing, Victoria. The aircraft was intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction, but only one prototype was ever completed and development ended.[1][2]

Buzzard
Role Helicopter
National origin Australia
Manufacturer Redback Aviation
Status Production completed (2013)
Number built one
Developed from Star Aviation LoneStar

Design and development

The Buzzard was based on the second generation Star Aviation LoneStar helicopter to which Redback own the rights. The Buzzard was designed to be a minimalist helicopter, using a maximum of off-the-shelf parts and to comply with the homebuilt aircraft rules. It features a single main rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield, skid-type landing gear and a Suzuki 75 hp (56 kW) four stroke engine.[1][2]

The aircraft fuselage is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with the tailboom built from carbon fibre. Its 6.10 m (20.0 ft) diameter two-bladed rotor has a chord of 20 cm (7.9 in), with anti-torque handled by a conventional two-bladed tail rotor. The main rotor transmission uses a combination of V-belts and toothed belts. Pitch link controls are mounted inside the hollow rotor mast tube. The aircraft has an empty weight of 193 kg (425 lb) and a gross weight of 386 kg (851 lb), giving a useful load of 193 kg (425 lb). With full fuel of 58.8 litres (12.9 imp gal; 15.5 US gal) the payload is 151 kg (333 lb).[1]

The company indicates that only one prototype was built and that it was sold, ending development of the aircraft, in favour of a new design, the Redback Aviation Spider.[2]

Specifications (version)

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Empty weight: 192 kg (423 lb)
  • Gross weight: 386 kg (851 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 58.5 litres (12.9 imp gal; 15.5 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Suzuki four stroke automotive engine, 56 kW (75 hp)
  • Main rotor diameter: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 169 km/h (105 mph, 91 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5.0 m/s (980 ft/min)

References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 193. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Redback Aviation (n.d.). "Welcome To Redback Aviation's World Of Homebuilt Helicopters". Retrieved 7 February 2013.
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