Staib Helicopter

The Staib Helicopter is a homebuilt aircraft design of Wilbur Staib.

Staib Helicopter
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Wilbur Staib
Number built 1

Design and development

Wilbur Staib (1914-1993) was a self-taught aircraft designer from Diamond, Missouri. Staib served as a flight instructor during the Second World War at Chanute, Kansas flying PT-14's. Staib designed and built five different "LB" (Little Bastard) aircraft and a helicopter, of which several had the title "world's smallest" at their time of construction. Staib flew his aircraft in airshows with the title "The Diamond Wizard".[1]

The Staib Helicopter is a powered by a Continental C85 with a V-belt linkage. The gearbox is sourced from a Ford Model A, the clutch from a Studebaker, the rotors cut down from a Brantly B-2 and cooling system from a Chevrolet Corvair. Four different rotor heads were tested.[2]

Operational history

The prototype was flown tethered with a 65 hp (48 kW) engine then upgraded to an 85 hp (63 kW) engine.[3]

Specifications (Staib Helicopter)

Data from Air Trails

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 14 U.S. gallons (53 L; 12 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 , 85 hp (63 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 20 ft (6.1 m)

References
  1. "Wilbur Staib". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  2. Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails.
  3. Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails.
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