World's smallest co-axial helicopter

Jetpack shmetpack, we'll take a personal eggbeater instead! Ok, maybe it's only a prank but pictured here is what is claimed to be the world's smallest co-axial helicopter capable of transporting wee humans (read: less than 155-pounds) for about an hour on a 5-gallon tank-o-gas. With four independent engines, the two-stroke, air-cooled, 125cc craft is capable of normal flight on just three, or a fully controlled landing on two — with a ballistic parachute provided otherwise. The best part…it's also radio controlled. Oh the fun we're going to have with our interns if we can track down the manufacturer.

[popeye @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

It should "Read: Deathtrap"...

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Personal helicopter or personal decapitator?

[Digital Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

1000000x cooler than a Segway.

[Gary @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I believe the "if 1 engine fails" claims, but if two fail it better be the right two otherwise you'll probably spin uncrontrollably and drill yourself into the ground.

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Link doesn't go anywhere but Engadget's search.

[Thomas Ricker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

n8, thanks, link fixed. Anyone know if this is real?

[operamatic @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Totally "Shopped" pic man

[dingo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

It is very REAL!

A similar version can be found at http://www.airscooter.com

The version that you guys are showing is from a Japanese company. There is video out their as coverage has been shown on the Discovery Channel, and what used to be TechTV. I'd have to do some searching for the Japanese one. But it's been out for couple years.

[EdZ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Was shown on the UK news about 2-3 years ago as an assemble-it-yourself package, costing about �20,000.

[JadeMason @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

This sounds a lot like episode 32 of MythBusters where Adam and Jaime endeavour to build a personal flying craft. They got a pretty powerful engine and used a ducted fan design. Never even came close to getting off the ground. The pack could hardly lift it's own weight.

[Craig Weems @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Copter was designed by the motor manufacturer below:

http://engineeringsystem.co.jp/Prd_Products.htm

Does this make me an intern? When do I go to lunch?

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Gary@4: Don't worry. The recovery for an asymmetric engine-out would be to shut down the surviving engine and autorotate gently down, as an autorotating helicopter (equivalent to gliding f/w aircraft) doesn't need torque correction for the simple reason that there is no torque!

[kbiel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Slight correction to your article. It would seem to able to carry more than 155 lb.(70 Kg). From the specs:
Unloaded weight? 70 kg (155 lb)
Max takeoff weight? 220 kg (485 lb)

That would allow for a maximum 330 lb. (150 Kg) payload.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

This is a really stupid piece of hardware.... Like someone else has said up there, you could end up cutting ur noggin off if things get messy