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Rotortec Cloud Dancer I

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Cloud Dancer I
Cloud Dancer I at ILA 2008
Role Autogyro
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Rotortec
Status In production (2013)

The Rotortec Cloud Dancer I is a German autogyro, designed and produced by Rotortec of Görisried, Allgäu. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Design and development

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Cloud Dancer I rotor hub

The Cloud Dancer I features a single main rotor, a single-seat enclosed cockpit with a bubble canopy, tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a twin cylinder, air-cooled 70 or 84 hp (52 or 63 kW) Hirth two stroke engine mounted in pusher configuration. The 65 hp (48 kW) twin-cylinder air-cooled in-line, two stroke, aircraft engine Hirth 3203 has also been employed.[1]

The aircraft fuselage and tail are made from aluminum and Kevlar composites. Its 7.40 m (24.3 ft) diameter rotor has a chord of 17.5 cm (6.9 in) and is equipped with a pre-rotator with an electromagnetic clutch and Cardan drive. Electric trim and an electronic instrument panel are standard equipment. The aircraft has an empty weight of 170 kg (375 lb) and a gross weight of 300 kg (661 lb), giving a useful load of 130 kg (287 lb).[1]

Aircraft on display

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Specifications (Cloud Dancer I)

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Cloud Dancer I at ILA 2008 with its composite Kevlar cockpit painted to resemble riveted metal.

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Empty weight: 170 kg (375 lb)
  • Gross weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 45 litres (9.9 imp gal; 12 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hirth two stroke aircraft engine, 52 kW (70 hp)
  • Main rotor diameter: 7.40 m (24 ft 3 in)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite Helix-Carbon propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 135 km/h (84 mph, 73 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 186. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
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