There are slightly over 500 Mini-500 delivered to customers. This fact
shows the popularity of the amateur built aircraft. Many of the builders have
put together one or more kits and have a wealth of information they can share.
I personally know the bonds of friendship that have formed from working
together on this project are life long.
I have been involved with supporting this product since 1996. I will be
glad to see you accomplish knowledge and safe flight for you and your family.
Through your sharing and precipitation in meetings, e-mail, both local and
national air shows, you will meet and become friends with people who share
your vision and have other aircraft similar to yours, like the Rotorway
builders.
There are plenty of builders who post information on internet discussion
groups.
Our Photo gallery also has names and e-mail address some builders.
Local and Nation Air shows( Oshkosh) or ( Sun
n Fun) are great places for builders with common
interest to gather.
Yes. Like all Kits, there were 500 sold but over two hundred were never
finished. This happens because of all kinds of reasons. Death in the family,
Divorce, Job change, relocation.
There are Kits that are partially complete. Builder lost interest, same
reasons as above.
There are Kits that are flying but builder circumstances have changed. Some
builders were waiting for the fixes to all the problems mention on the Internet
to be solved.
You can purchase any Kit and be certain that you can get support for the
product and any upgrades that were available and some new ones that you will
soon read about.
This is true. The engine furnished with a Mini 500 produced between 65 and 67
hp. Using the normal power loading of 10 lbs. per hp. This means that a gross
weight of 650 to 670 is the safe margin for max gross weight of the aircraft
with this size engine. The mini weight is approximately 500 lbs. This means that
the safe useful load is 670-500 or 170 lbs. This is important because the engine
is working at 100% duty cycle just to fly the aircraft with a 170-lb. pilot and
no fuel.
The PEP was a tuned exhaust system that increased engine to 79 hp. Using the
same power loading of 10 lbs. per hp, the gross weight was increased to 790 lbs.
at 100 % duty cycle. This means that the useful load 790-500 or 290 lbs. Now a
pilot can weigh 200 lbs. and still carry a full fuel on standard day at sea
level.
When the RHCI factory was in business, the Rotax 582 was the only
powerplant ever installed or tried by the factory. It would be fine if
everyone weighed 150 lbs., but it soon became clear that other powerplant's
needed to be considered. To this date Rotax 618 has been installed in 4
aircraft in South Africa.
There is now two aircraft with Solar T62 turbines flying and one Wankel
Rotary. Both Solar Turbine and Wankel Rotary have Thousands of tested hours
and have become very dependable. I will have documentation with photo of
installations and problems overcome during installation and initial testing.
Now is the best time to get started. The reason is because so much is
happening with amateur built aircraft and the people that you will met are fun
and exciting to be around.
Problem solving is part of the fun and flying can be safe and rewarding for
you and your family.
