AWARD WINNING DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE
In July 1993, the first Ultrasport flight test was successfully completed. It was designed to meet the FAA Ultralight regulations and was named the "Ultrasport 254". On December 17, 1993, the 254 was invited to a Flight Show at the Wright Brothers Memorial and was evaluated as one of "the best achievements in vertical flight history of sports aviation for the past 20 years."
In July, 1995 the "Ultrasport 331" was judged by the US Aviation test pilot as the "most technologically advanced rotorcraft in all of sport aviation".
In July, 1995 the double seat Ultrasport 496 was successfully flight tested just prior to the Oshkosh 95 Airshow.
In 1996, the Ultrasport 496 won a championship at the PRA 96 Airshow.

LIGHTWEIGHT VS. LOW COST
Light weight and low cost are not usually in harmony with one another in the helicopter business, but with our production knowhow and use of modern forging and casting technique and composite technique, the goals become realistic as demonstrated by our helicopter's affordability. Metal components of aerospace quality were used only for the drivetrain and control systems, consisting of approx. 80% alumimium, 15% stainless steel and 5% titanium.

NON-COMPROMISING QUALITY
Although low cost and light weight were the primary goals, no compromise was acceptable in terms of safety. Component fatigue and destructive testings were performed together with continuous flight tests to provide validations for the computerised math prediction used throughout the design of our helicopters. The high energy rotor system provides not only the best autorotating sport helicopter in production today, but also capable of producing an amazing fourteen (14) lbs. of lift per horsepower.

The dream to build the world's first ultralight helicopter actually began in 1990. The design goals were to achieve lightweight and low cost in order to put rotorcraft flight into the hands of most ultralight and helicopter pilots.
By 1993, the first prototype was built and successfully flight-tested.
Although lightweight and low cost were important, advanced engineering techniques and safety were foremost for the development of this mini helicopter.
All components were fatigue and destructive tested and aggressively test flown in order to demonstrate performance and safety characteristics.
Realistic weight allocation goals were set for the components.
This design to weight theory required a new approach to helicopter design.
For example, in traditional helicopter designs, the engine is a small fraction of the empty weight.
The Ultrasport engine is the heaviest component weighing 75 pounds (roughly 30%) of empty weight.Thus resulting in a superb performing lightweight helicopter that is safe and easy to fly!

DESIGNED BY AMERICAN SPORTSCOPTER
The Ultrasport Range of helicopters are designed by American Sportscopter and the 254 ultralight helicopter made its debut on the 90th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight at Kittyhawk, NC in 1993.
An experimental version of the single seat, the Ultrasport 331, was prototyped in 1994. The 331 shares most components with the 254, and is being manufactured simultaneously.
A two-seat ultralight helicopter trainer, the Ultrasport 496, followed in 1995.
During the last few years, American Sportscopter has been aggressively flight testing these
aircraft and producing single and dual seat helicopters in kit form for sale to the general public worldwide.

MULTI USE FOR ULTRASPORT HELICOPTERS
These helicopters are being used not only for recreational and educational purposes, but also for
agricultural spraying, animal mustering, wildlife tracking, police surveillance and fishing fleet observation.

  

Other Links:
Sports Aircraft Association of Australia
Ultrasport Helicopters
Hirth Engines
Balancing & Vibration Analysis
Portable Electrical Power Units