Press release: gross weight increase

Vertical Aviation Technologies of Sanford, Florida is announcing a gross weight increase for the Hummingbird 300L helicopter to 2850 lbs. The new gross weight provides 1000 lbs. of useful load with full interior. “With the cold air inducted IO-540 Lycoming engine, the Hummingbird 300L has outstanding performance at the new gross weight” says Brad Clark, President. No structural modifications are required and the increase is only applicable to 300L Hummingbirds that conform to the build manual and drawings.

The Hummingbird is a four seat helicopter sold as an Amateur Build Kit for 37 years. The design is based on a FAA approved helicopter.

Vertical Aviation Technologies will be displaying two customer built Hummingbird helicopters at Sun n Fun, Florida. The two beautifully built Hummingbirds have Glass Panels, leather interiors, and fancy paint schemes.

Vic Syracuse will be giving a presentation “Building a Hummingbird Helicopter” about his experience with building and flying his Hummingbird helicopter. This will take place daily at VAT’s exhibit tent.

Alex Anduze, a former Production & Experimental test pilot for Sikorsky Aircraft will be available to answer questions about rotorcraft engineering and test flying. Alex has an extensive background with aviation having attended the one year course at the National Test Pilot School and previous experience at Sikorsky as a ground test engineer and flight test engineer. He owns an original flying Sikorsky S-52-3 and has been helpful with many improvements to the Hummingbird. Alex’s S-52-3 was the rescue helicopter in the movie “Devotion”.

Fred Clark the founder of Orlando Helicopter Airways will be available to speak with about his experiences flying the original Sikorsky S-52-3. Fred flew B-25 Mitchell’s, Sikorsky H-19’s, and H-21 “Flying Banana’s” in the Air Force. Come meet the person who created the Winnebago Helicopter Camper, the world’s first electric powered helicopter, the world’s first LPG powered helicopter and much more.