The Vortech Kestrel Jet is an American tip-jet helicopter that was designed in the 1980s. Kits for amateur construction were originally provided by Vortech and plans remain available.^[1][2][3][4]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to fit into the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 175 lb (79 kg). It features a single main rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield and skid landing gear. Power is supplied by two G8-2-20 rotor tip jets that run on propane, consuming 12 U.S. gallons (45 L; 10.0 imp gal) per hour and producing 47 lb (21 kg) of thrust each.^[1][2][4]

The aircraft fuselage is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. Its main rotor is 24 ft (7.3 m) in diameter. Due to the lack of torque produced there is no tail rotor and instead the Kestrel mounts a circular-shaped rudder for directional control. Controls consist only of cyclic, rudder and throttle.^[1][2]

Specifications (Kestrel Jet)

Data from Cliche, Vortech and KitPlanes^[1][2][3]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Length: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
• Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
• Empty weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
• Gross weight: 440 lb (200 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) of propane
• Powerplant: 2 × G8-2-20 rotor tip-mounted jet engines, 47 lb (21 kg) of thrust
• Main rotor diameter: 25 ft 0 in (7.62 m)
• Main rotor area: 491 sq ft (45.6 m²)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 km/h, 55 kn)
• Cruise speed: 45 mph (72 km/h, 39 kn)
• Range: 60 mi (97 km, 52 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
• Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
• Disk loading: 0.90 lb/sq ft (4.4 kg/m²)

Avionics

• none