| ES 53 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Single-seat light helicopter |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Aer Lualdi |
| Designer | Carlo Lualdi and Sergio Tassotti |
| First flight | September 1953 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Variants | Aer Lualdi L.55 |
The Lualdi-Tassotti ES 53 was an Italian experimental helicopter designed by Carlo Lualdi around a Hiller-designed rotor system and a gyro stabiliser of his own design. It first flew at Campoformido in September 1953.
The helicopter was powered by a single 63.4 kW (85 hp) Continental C85 engine and proved so promising that Lualdi purchased a licence to produce the Hiller rotor system in Italy, and formed a new company, Aer Lualdi to develop and market his designs as the Aer Lualdi L.55.
Specifications
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
- Empty weight: 400 kg (882 lb)
- Gross weight: 850 kg (1,874 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 63 kW (85 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 2× 7.32 m (24 ft 0 in)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
- Range: 250 km (160 mi, 130 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 2,000 m (6,600 ft)
References
- ^ Apostolo, Giorgio (1984). The illustrated encyclopedia of helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books. p. 123. ISBN 0517439352.