ADI Sportster

The ADI Sportster is a two-seat gyroplane that has been marketed in plans form for homebuilding since 1974 by Aircraft Designs Inc.^[1][2] It was the first homebuilt gyrocopter design to be able to carry a passenger.

The design first flew in 1974 and is built from bolted and riveted dural aluminium sheet. The rotor blades use an NACA 8H12 airfoil^[2]

Data from Bertrand and Kitplanes^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Length: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
• Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
• Airfoil: NACA 8H12
• Empty weight: 650 lb (295 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,100 lb (499 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 17 U.S. gallons (64 L; 14 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320 4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 150 hp (110 kW)
• Main rotor diameter: 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m)
• Main rotor area: 616 sq ft (57.2 m²)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
• Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
• Range: 150 mi (240 km, 130 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
• Disk loading: 1.8 lb/sq ft (8.8 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.14 hp/lb (0.22 kW/kg)

Avionics

• none