RotorWay Exec

The RotorWay Exec is a family of American two-bladed, skid-equipped, two-seat kit helicopters, manufactured by RotorWay International of Chandler, Arizona and supplied in kit form for amateur-construction.

Exec 162F
Role amateur-built helicopter
Manufacturer RotorWay International
First flight 1994
Introduction 1994
Status Production completed
Produced 1994 - 2011
Variants Alpi Syton AH 130
RotorWay A600 Talon
Hillberg Turbine Exec
RotorWay Execs in flight

Design and development

The Exec 162F is the latest in the Exec series of helicopters manufactured by RotorWay International.

The RotorWay Scorpion design was updated with an aluminum tail and full fiberglass cockpit enclosure to become the Exec.[1] The Exec 90 was developed in the early 1990s, it was, at the time, the only piston-powered helicopter to utilize an asymmetrical airfoil for improved autorotation characteristics and safety.

In 1994, a fuel injection system with electronic ignition, and FADEC was added to the Exec 90, producing the Exec 162F.

Unlike most U.S.-designed helicopters, the main rotor on the Exec 162F rotates clockwise, as seen from above.

The Exec series was further developed into the RotorWay A600 Talon, which replaced the Exec in production.[2]

Operational history

Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has a custom-painted Rotorway Exec 162F with his name and a picture of Walter on the aircraft.[3]

Variants
Rotorway Windstar
Four place development that was cancelled.
RotorWay Exec 90
Introduced in 1990, improvement of the original RotorWay Exec, Electronic ignition, eyebrow windows, elastomeric control head.[4]
RotorWay Exec 162F
FADEC improved model.[5][6]
AvioTecnica ES-101 Raven
In 1996 AvioTecnica of Italy marketed the Exec as the ES-101 Exec with a turbine engine instead of the piston engine.[7] In 2004 it produced an improved variant it named the Aviotechnica ES-101 Raven powered by a modified Solar T-62-A turboshaft.[7] Other improvements include carbon-fibre rotor blades, a two-piece windscreen and later models have a digital cockpit.[2][7]
Alpi Syton AH 130
The Raven design was taken over by Alpi Aviation in late 2008 and the aircraft further developed into the Alpi Syton AH 130.[2]
Hillberg Turbine Exec
A turbine conversion using the Solar T-62 auxiliary power unit (APU) made by Hillberg Helicopters of Fountain Valley, California in the 1990s.[8]

Specifications
RotorWay Exec 162F
Rotorway Exec

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 [9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 22 ft (6.71 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 25 ft (7.62 m)
  • Height: 8 ft (2.44 m)
  • Disc area: 380 sq ft (35.4 m²)
  • Empty weight: 975 lb (442 kg)
  • Useful load: 525 lb (238 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × RotorWay RI 162F flat-four piston engine, 150 hp (112 kW)

Performance

See also

Notes
  1. Peter Lert (August 1989). "Executive Privilege". Air Progress.
  2. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. Country Music Television (September 2007). "Jeff Dunham and Walter in their helicopter". Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  4. "Exec 90 back on course". Flying Magazine. August 1991.
  5. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 189 and 194. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  6. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 329. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  7. Jackson 2008, p. 361
  8. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 325. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  9. Taylor 1999, pp. 365–366.

References
  • Taylor, Michael J.H. (ed.). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
  • Jackson, Paul (ed) Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2008-2009. Coulsdon, Surrey, England:Jane's Information Group, 2008. ISBN 978-0-7106-2837-4
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