Ultralight American Sportscopters (NZ)in NewZealand has has unveiled its new Ultrasport 496. The US-designed helicopter has an all-composite fuselage, giving an empty weight of just 270kg. It also features a parachute, which can support the lightweight airframe and two occupants. A flight test programme will start this month, with plans to assemble the aircraft at the rate of one every three months. Parts will come from Light American Sportscopter in Taiwan which helped Ultralight with the development. The helicopter is powered by a Göbler-Hirth 120hp (90kW) four cylinder petrol engine.
Source: Flight International