Aero-TV: Rotorway Talks 'Next-Gen' Helos

The Talon 600 Is The First Of A New Generation For Rotorway

Last year at AirVenture 2007, Rotorway proudly displayed its newest aircraft, the A600 Talon. Successor to the well-known Exec 162F, the A600 looks almost identical... but Rotorway CEO Grant Norwitz is quick to point out beneath the aircraft's skin is an entirely new aircraft.

Building upon Rotorway's experience in the kit helicopter world -- which Norwitz feels is due to B.J. Schram's efforts in creating the first Rotorway -- the company has incorporated many design changes planned to ease its transition into building a certified ship. The A600 Talon is not an incremental change in Rotorway's aircraft, though the exterior remains much the same. Conventional steam gauges have been removed and replaced with a Stratomaster Enigma glass cockpit incorporating an HSI, CDI, TAWS, and GPS.

A FADEC control system, which Rotorway helped revolutionize in previous helicopters, now has a controller displaying every aspect of the system on the glass cockpit. The Talon is wider and taller than the Exec 162F it replaces, and a buyer can choose the conventional belt-driven tail rotor or a new design that incorporates a tailshaft assembly.

Two power plants are available for the new helicopter: a Rotorway 600N at 147 horsepower, and a Rotorway 600S, which is supercharged and ups horsepower to 167. The two-seat helicopter will have a useful load of 535 pounds, and a cruise speed of 100 miles per hour. Rotorway has also designed a brand new belt-driven system with a hydraulic tensioner to get the rotors turning.

Rotorway has been testing the prototype since January, and the current A600 has flown for 180 hours. As Norwitz says, "we want to make sure we have a product that we want to fly." The A600 is aimed at the training market as well, and Rotorway plans to have the aircraft tested in the training environment at a Rotorway facility in South Africa. The helicopter comes with full dual controls and stability is reportedly similar to a Schweizer.

But ...

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• aero-news
• aerospace
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• airshows
• aviation
• biplane
• eaa
• faa
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• oshkosh
• rotorway
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• talon600

[serger2010]

there engine is a p.o.s. you only get if your lucky 500 hours and it will cost you $8,000 to rebuild. there secondary shaft breakes . you cant learn it a rotorway you will pay $10,000 to $12,000 pluse to learn in a R22 then you will have to take a five hour transition training course with them this guy is full of shit!! cheap my ass!!!

[hillberg100]

This man has no clue, He can fill a library with what he dosn't know. BJ Schramm did more with less money- Its a pig with lipstick. Jab to D.Fetters,B,J. and new owners-Buy a used helicopter and have better resale value and You can lease it back for hire. The Talon is like a boat in the sky.

[msjr777]

On the revolution mini 500,Were can you get the parts for this little helicopter.And if the owner killed himself.Who is building the helicopter now.Because I'm looking to owner a mini 500 but need to find the parts for it.I like rotax motors.and keeps cost down.

[tjunior6252]

What a piece of shit. He uses Bj's death as a marketing point for rotorway.