If you don't shop at the Big & Tall, and if composites are used, 30 shp _might do_. Obviously, MEMS turbines etc. would
shift things. See
http://www.hiller.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/rotorcycle/rotorcycle.html
for the authoritative poop on the 1950s-era Model 1033, XROE-1 Hiller Rotorcycle.
Excerpted & condensed:
"Power was supplied from a Nelson H-59, two
cycle, 40 hp, four cylinder opposed air cooled engine through a centrifugal clutch. The prototype Rotorcycle first flew
on January 10, 1957...."
Main rotor dia. 18.50 ft. Maximum height 92 in.
Gross weight 546 lbs; Empty weight 290 lbs; Useful load 270 lbs.
Maximum speed (sea level):70 mph; Cruise: 52 mph; Rate of climb: 1160 ft/min.
Effective range: 30 miles;
Range at sea level (with 170 lbs. pilot and 86 lbs. of fuel): 166 miles
More recently (like _now_), http://www.engineeringsystem.co.jp/Prd_GENH-4.html has a coaxial rotor gizmo that has been
flying as a prototype for at least two years. It also flies with 40 hp. They spec their pilot weight at _155 lb_.
Spike, are you listening? Time to suit up and preflight... We need you to help us integrate the Ginger/Segway avionics
suite. :)
MMB
Robert Coyote wrote:
>
> Well someone apparently said a personal VTOL aircraft really only needs
> about 30 hp
> Now I weigh < 220 lbs lean, wife unit could hall wears from Costco up to
> about 100 lbs, I'd like to do about 100 mph level flight for those days I'm
> late for watching X FILES, altitude to cross mountain ranges in a headwind,
> enough reserve power to pull out of an inadvertent *woops* nosedive because
> I kersploshed double tall mocha in my Gucci's for avoiding a flock of
> belligerent Geese.
>
> It has to have GPS, night / infravision displays, impending impact avoidance
> governor. kickin' sound system and a cigarette lighter. How would you
> embrace a gaggle of Japanese music students flying over your bedroom at 4 in
> the morning and run out of urinefuel(tm) because they were so frozen in
> embarrassment to top off the fuel tank in flight?
-- My moronic mnemonic for smart behavior: "DICKS" == diplomacy, integrity, courage, kindness, skepticism.
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