Ultralight Rotorcraft? Here are Two

America is a great country, most pilots agree. We can fly our planes all over (except in TFRs) without special permission from the government. Pilots in many countries don’t have this privilege. We can fly all manner of aircraft, from factory-built, certified models to kitbuilt machines to ultralights.
We also have several regulatory programs under which we can fly our planes. You can use your pilot’s license under Part 61 and operate under Part 91. You will soon be able to get a sport pilot license that won’t require a medical and fly a light-sport aircraft with industry-devised certification (sanctioned and approved by the FAA).
Or you can operate under Part 103, the least-burdensome regulation in the flying world. All of Part 103 can easily be printed on two pages. Remarkable! After 21 years, the FAA’s simplest rule is still going strong. One proof is that designers keep introducing aircraft that fit FAR 103’s definitions.

Rotary-Winged Too!
While most Part 103 aircraft are fixed-wing, three-axis airplanes, weight-shift trikes, powered parachutes, and even more types of aircraft qualify if they meet the definitions of this delightfully simple rule. Among these are rotary aircraft.
Many pilots believe the list of genuine Part 103 ultralights is quite limited, but they’re wrong. Sales of single-seat ultralights may not be great (15-35% of all ultralights, depending on which survey you read), but several good choices are available, and this column has covered many of them. New arrivals often add to the list.
The number of machines you can choose in the Part 103 rotary category is smaller. This month, however, I want to tell you about two of the niftiest. One of these is brand new, the other not well enough known.
The two choices are different. One is a conventional helicopter that can make weight, speed and fuel requirements. The other—a new offering—is a gyroplane aimed at fitting well within the constraints of Part 103.
Butterfly Ultralight Gyro
Larry Neal is no newcomer to sport aviation. He is the man currently behind the Falcon ultralight of American Aerolights fame. He has created a potentially workable method to employ a BRS emergency parachute system on gyros. He is the test pilot for the ingenious Carter Copter. And now, he is the designer of the Butterfly.
Done in bright white and lots of chrome, the Butterfly’s Oshkosh display featured a gleaming prototype that impressed visitors. Neal says his machine comes in under Part 103’s 254-pound empty weight limit, yet it is powered by a 50-hp, dual-ignition Rotax 503. This gives the Butterfly robust performance that belies the craft’s playful name.
Neal says his design is properly configured to assure stable flight. He believes that many gyros are not correctly engineered. If the pilot overcontrols or incorrectly controls some gyros, a serious problem can result. Neal’s Butterfly, with 12% horizontal area in its tail (the right area compared with the rotor disk, he says), combines a proper thrust line to create a machine more easily flown by novices.
To be convincing, Larry says that he is willing to demonstrate the Butterfly like this: He will take off with only one hand on a control—the throttle. Once up 50 feet or so, Neal says he will set the power and spread both arms out alongside him. Then he will proceed to climb and descend gently by shifting his weight, and he will do figure-eight patterns using the rudder.
The Butterfly is priced at $11,995 for a complete kit, but those new to gyro flying might want his other offer. Join his $600 A Month Club, paying New Horizons Components via credit card, and he will include 10 hours of gyroplane instruction. His company will send you sub kits of your new Butterfly over the next 24 months. You will pay $14,400, but the instruction is valuable, and you keep your money longer.
Mosquito Ultralight Helicopter
Flying regularly in Oshkosh AirVenture’s ultralight area was helicopter pilot John Uptigrove. He operated his Mosquito so well that I started by asking if he was a former military helicopter pilot. He smiled and told me he built the aircraft and that it was quite easy to fly.
Mosquito is made from 6061-T6 aluminum with carbon-fiber tailboom and support struts. Triangulation is widely used for structural integrity.
The machine is powered by the Zanzottera MZ202 engine producing 60 hp. Uptigrove says he chose the Italian engine believing it has the highest power-to-weight ratio on the market today. A drive clutch permits the engine to be started and warmed without moving the rotor. Uptigrove also uses an HTD cog belt drive as it enjoys a good transmission power-to-weight ratio.
Uptigrove says his control system—unique to the Mosquito—allows conventional helicopter operation. A sprag clutch is incorporated to permit autorotation.
Helicopters may not be a common place to start flying ultralights, but Uptigrove plans to reduce the price for those who obtain dual helicopter training before flying the Mosquito.
For $19,995, you get the entire kit including engine, instruments and blades. Once you show evidence of completing 10 hours of training, Innovator Technologies will ship your rotor system and blades. Dual instruction will also reduce the price to $17,995, so this commendable offer amounts to a 10% discount.
Building takes about 200 hours, Uptigrove says, and a comprehensive manual is provided. The rotorshaft, sprag clutch, gearboxes and rotor blades are preassembled. Also like the Butterfly, the Mosquito is available in five kits that you can buy as you build.
Ready to Swing Your Wings?
From hang gliders and paragliders to a selection of ultralights, rotary wings have a place in the Part 103 aviation experience. Though training is strongly encouraged, flying the Butterfly or Mosquito requires no pilot’s license in the U.S. [To make the point more strongly: Regardless of other flying experience, you are likely to kill yourself in either a helicopter or a gyroplane if you try to fly without adequate professional instruction.—Ed.] Nor do you have to register with FAA or have maintenance done by an A&P.
Why are you still waiting? Start swinging!
FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Mosquito 103 helicopter, contact Innovator Technologies, Inc. at 403/669-3101; fax  403/936-5423; web innovatortech.ca. For information on the Butterfly gyroplane, contact New Horizons Components at 940/433-2007; fax 216/632-1207; web www.thebutterfly.info.