Staib Helicopter

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Short description: Homebuilt aircraft design
Staib Helicopter
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Wilbur Staib
Number built 1

The Staib Helicopter is a homebuilt aircraft design of Wilbur Staib.

Design and development

Wilbur Staib (1914-1993) was a self-taught aircraft designer from Diamond, Missouri. Staib served as a flight instructor during the Second World War at Chanute, Kansas flying PT-14's. Staib designed and built five different "LB" (Little Bastard) aircraft and a helicopter, of which several had the title "world's smallest" at their time of construction. Staib flew his aircraft in airshows with the title "The Diamond Wizard".[1]

The Staib Helicopter is a powered by a Continental C85 with a V-belt linkage. The gearbox is sourced from a Ford Model A, the clutch from a Studebaker, the rotors cut down from a Brantly B-2 and cooling system from a Chevrolet Corvair. Four different rotor heads were tested.[2]

Operational history

The prototype was flown tethered with a 65 hp (48 kW) engine then upgraded to an 85 hp (63 kW) engine.[3]

Specifications (Staib Helicopter)

Data from Air Trails

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 14 U.S. gallons (53 L; 12 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 , 85 hp (63 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 20 ft (6.1 m)

References

  1. "Wilbur Staib". http://www.eaa.org/apps/obituaries/MemorialWall2.aspx?ID=995. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  2. Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails. 
  3. Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails. 




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