BELGIUM's small Masquito aircraft company is working towards European certification of its novel two-seat lightweight helicopter, with 23h of test flying already completed at its Moorsele airfield base. Brothers Stefaan and Paul Maschelein, designers of the prototype Masquito M58, claim that this is the first real ultra-light helicopter to be built in Europe, with an empty weight of only 150kg. The helicopter is of all-composite construction, is designed around the 48kW (65hp) Rotax 582 engine, and is expected to achieve 80kt (150km/h) in level flight. Masquito is aiming to market its two-seater at around BFr1.5 million ($45,000). It will also be available in kit form.
Source: Flight International