ADI Bumble Bee

ADI Bumble Bee
Role	Ultralight autogyro
Manufacturer	Aircraft Designs Inc
Designer	Martin Hollmann
First flight	1983
Status	In use as homebuilt aircraft

The ADI Bumble Bee (sometimes Hollmann Bumble Bee) is an ultralight gyrocopter, the first of its kind when it flew in 1983 and still available in plans form for homebuilding. It was designed by Martin Hollmann after a back injury (sustained in the crash of the ADI Condor) prevented him from flying his previous design (the ADI Sportster) on account of not being able to lift the rotor assembly.

Specifications (ADI Bumble Bee)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 10 ft (3.1 m)
• Rotor diameter: 23 ft (7.0 m)
• Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.5 m)
• Disc area: 415 ft² (38.6 m²)
• Empty weight: 213 lb (97 kg)
• Loaded weight: 500 lb (230 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 446, 40 hp (30 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 49 knots (56 mph, 90 km/h)
• Range: 56 nm (65 mi, 104 km)
• Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
• Disc loading: 1.2 lb/ft² (5.9 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.08 hp/lb (130 W/kg)

References

• http://www.aircraftdesigns.com/media/system/pdf/bumble_bee_analysis.pdf

See also

Related lists

• List of ultralight aircraft