I have had a few people ask about my Helicopter, I was surprised to learn when I took it to the Popular Rotor craft associations Convention last year, that most people including the Gyroplane pilots and helicopter Pilots did not know what the Helicom Commuter was.

so here is some brief info.

My helicopter is a Very Rare Complete 1968 Experimental Helicom Commuter H-1B single seat Helicopter with all current FAA paperwork.

I even found a  set of the 1960's full size plans and it is currently registered ( N814S ).

The Commuter is the Grand daddy of the CHR baby belle/Safari Helicopter. Even the Safari website history says that the Safari evolved from the Helicom commuter.

The machine I own is very much a part of home built helicopter and the Helicom company history and was even at one time owned by the company Tamarand International – the company that bought the design rights in the mid 80's from Helicom and was even flown by the designer him self Harold “Pop” Emigh as he has endorsed the log books.

Later Bob Dart of Mayville new york Bought the design right ( International helicopters ) and he has even endorsed the log books.

I even have a pic of it flying when first built.

It is a well built and Very Rare helicopter.

Here is a video showing it lifting a 320 pound pilot. keep in mind max pilot weight is rated at 300 and this was a hot day. pilot was pulling full collective so it was slowing the rotorspeed down and settling.  Honestly I was happily surprised it even lifted off the ground that day.

I was so happy to see it break ground as I had spent about 2 years restoring it. it had been in storage since 1992.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prv5HN1QOgQ

It is built very strong, 4130 steel airframe with fiberglass covering.

mine is powered with a true aircraft engine, Cont. C90-12F - 90 h.p. The engine mounts vertically like in a Bell-47 has great oil pressure. As would be expected since the engine only had about 15 hours on it and was pickled when stored.

It has two  6 gal. Fuel tanks with a range of 130 miles with 30 minute reserve 170 miles with no reserve. Flys at 75 m.p.h. Max rate of climb 1,670 f.p.m. Vert. Rate of climb 500 f.p.m. Hover ceiling out of ground effect 6,800 feet ,service ceiling 10,000 feet as reported in janes aircraft 1969-1970 this helicopter is rated for a max pilot weight of 300 pounds. So this helicopter is a power house. The first commuters flew on 65 h.p.

I only wish I was trained and Legal to fly it. so far I have not found a local helicopter pilot willing to fly it that is light enough for it to show what it can do out of ground effect.

I restored it when I had a guy wanting to buy it to build time with, but mid way though the rebuild backed out. no big deal as I have always wanted one of the 2 seat helicom commuters and this machine was a great way to learn just how these machines are built and adjusted to fly. so I have truly loved the rebuilding experience.

I have the machine for sale, and hope to pick up a 2 seat Commuter project I know about soon.

hope you enjoyed reading about my Bird and I look forward to hearing from others that are building restoring and or flying other Experimental helicopters.