Staib Helicopter
| Staib Helicopter | |
|---|---|
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Wilbur Staib |
| Number built | 1 |
| Unit cost |
$500 in 1971 |
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 a 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
- ↑ "Wilbur Staib". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ↑ Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails.
- ↑ Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails.