World's smallest co-axial helicopter
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Jun 27th 2005 10:41AM
posted Jun 27th 2005 10:41AM
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.
It should "Read: Deathtrap"...
Personal helicopter or personal decapitator?
1000000x cooler than a Segway.
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.
Link doesn't go anywhere but Engadget's search.
n8, thanks, link fixed. Anyone know if this is real?
Totally "Shopped" pic man
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.
Was shown on the UK news about 2-3 years ago as an assemble-it-yourself package, costing about £20,000.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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