RotorWay International
Encyclopedia
RotorWay International, located in Chandler, Arizona
, is a manufacturer of kit helicopters. The company was founded by B.J. Schramm
in 1961 as RotorWay Aircraft. RotorWay International was bought February 14, 2007 by a small group of investors comprising the company's upper level management — Grant Norwitz, CEO
, Bill Adams, COO
, and Judy Craven, CFO
. Of these, only Norwitz is still with the company as of mid-2008.
The Scorpion, priced at $6,300 (not including the cost of the engine), was the first real kit helicopter on the market that flew. The Scorpion was intended for the sport-flying public, rather than the commercial market and this dictated the cost and weight of the aircraft. Originally, costs were intended to be under $10,000, but inflation changed that. The original Scorpion weighed between 1200 and 1300 pounds. It featured a standard gear reduction drive, a semi-articulated two-bladed rotor system, and a one-person capacity.
In 1971, the Scorpion II was introduced with an OMC 125 hp, 2-cycle engine which provided enough power to fly two lightweight people, unlike previous versions.
In 1974, the company eliminated the 2-cycle engine and, unable to find a manufacturer to make their 4-cycle engine suitable for the helicopter, began production of their own engine. This engine, called the RotorWay RW 133, was a 4-cycle engine that was able to provide a cruise speed of 80 mi/h with a range of 120 miles (193 km) and a useful load of 420 pounds.
The RW 133 engine was installed in the Scorpion II, which was renamed the Scorpion 133. The Scorpion 133 had a list price of $13,500, a gross weight of 1235 lb (560.2 kg), and a range of 130 nautical miles (79 nautical miles (146.3 km) with two people).
1982 marked the introduction of the asymmetrical rotor blade
, enabling the craft to climb to higher altitudes and making the blade resistant to erosion, but with a risk of losing the aircraft if the engine quit.
The Elete helicopter was designed during the late 1980s, and had a 152 hp engine with a maximum payload of 400 pounds, cruise speed of 113 mi/h and maximum airspeed of 130 mi/h. After selling just three Elete helicopters, the company succumbed to financial challenges and was purchased by a former customer, John Netherwood, and stopped production of the Elete helicopter due to design hurdles and financial constraints on the company.
The RW152 engine was manufactured in 1984.
The design and production of the Exec series helicopters began in the early 1990s, starting with the Exec 90. The Exec 90 contained the RI 162 engine, and, unlike previous helicopter kits, much of the assembly, including the welding, was done at the factory. The Exec 90 was followed by the Exec 162F in 1994.
The Exec 162F, with some improvements to the FADEC
system and the ACIS
, is still being produced and sold by RotorWay.
In July 2007, RotorWay announced the development of the A600 Talon. The A600 Talon features an updated FADEC system, an all-glass cockpit, a cog-belt replacing the primary drive chain, and a larger landing gear, among other features.
In February 2009, RotorWay purchased PMC Machining and Manufacturing, a Phoenix-based builder of helicopter parts. The CEO of PMC, Mark Porter, became president and COO of RotorWay as part of the acquisition. The company also announced plans to certify a two-seat turbine helicopter using the Rolls-Royce
RR300 engine and said that acquiring PMC will make that possible.
, RotorWay has established a factory in South Africa that manufactures ready-made helicopters in addition to kits. RotorWay has also begun the process of expanding into the certified helicopter market, and plans on making major changes, including the creation of a separate engine manufacturing company.
Chandler, Arizona
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2010, there were 236,123 people, 86,924 households, and 60,212 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 8.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 21.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 8.3%...
, is a manufacturer of kit helicopters. The company was founded by B.J. Schramm
Buford John Schramm
Buford John Schramm , better-known as B.J. Schramm, was a businessman and developer of light personal helicopters. He was killed in the crash of a single-seat helicopter of his own design near Montour, about six miles southwest of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. Schramm founded RotorWay Aircraft in 1961,...
in 1961 as RotorWay Aircraft. RotorWay International was bought February 14, 2007 by a small group of investors comprising the company's upper level management — Grant Norwitz, CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
, Bill Adams, COO
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
, and Judy Craven, CFO
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
. Of these, only Norwitz is still with the company as of mid-2008.
History
1960-70
In 1961, RotorWay's founder, B.J. Schramm, tested the company's first prototype, the Javelin. The Javelin used a 40 hp motorcycle engine, and was the forerunner of RotorWay's first production helicopter, the Scorpion, which was offered in 1967.The Scorpion, priced at $6,300 (not including the cost of the engine), was the first real kit helicopter on the market that flew. The Scorpion was intended for the sport-flying public, rather than the commercial market and this dictated the cost and weight of the aircraft. Originally, costs were intended to be under $10,000, but inflation changed that. The original Scorpion weighed between 1200 and 1300 pounds. It featured a standard gear reduction drive, a semi-articulated two-bladed rotor system, and a one-person capacity.
1970-79
An improved version of the Scorpion was introduced in 1971. Among the modifications in the new version were all-aluminum rotor blades, a 115 hp OMC 2-cycle engine (Evinrude Vulcan V-4 outboard motor) and a heavier drive system (shafts and bearings).In 1971, the Scorpion II was introduced with an OMC 125 hp, 2-cycle engine which provided enough power to fly two lightweight people, unlike previous versions.
In 1974, the company eliminated the 2-cycle engine and, unable to find a manufacturer to make their 4-cycle engine suitable for the helicopter, began production of their own engine. This engine, called the RotorWay RW 133, was a 4-cycle engine that was able to provide a cruise speed of 80 mi/h with a range of 120 miles (193 km) and a useful load of 420 pounds.
The RW 133 engine was installed in the Scorpion II, which was renamed the Scorpion 133. The Scorpion 133 had a list price of $13,500, a gross weight of 1235 lb (560.2 kg), and a range of 130 nautical miles (79 nautical miles (146.3 km) with two people).
1980-1989
In 1980, RotorWay introduced the RW145 engine, and the Exec helicopter. This was the first helicopter produced by RotorWay that strived to get away from the "kit helicopter" look. Unlike previous helicopters, the Exec did not have an exposed frame or exposed engine and far more attention was given to the aesthetics of the aircraft.1982 marked the introduction of the asymmetrical rotor blade
Helicopter rotor
A helicopter main rotor or rotor system is a type of fan that is used to generate both the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and thrust which counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight...
, enabling the craft to climb to higher altitudes and making the blade resistant to erosion, but with a risk of losing the aircraft if the engine quit.
The Elete helicopter was designed during the late 1980s, and had a 152 hp engine with a maximum payload of 400 pounds, cruise speed of 113 mi/h and maximum airspeed of 130 mi/h. After selling just three Elete helicopters, the company succumbed to financial challenges and was purchased by a former customer, John Netherwood, and stopped production of the Elete helicopter due to design hurdles and financial constraints on the company.
The RW152 engine was manufactured in 1984.
1990-present
In 1990 RotorWay Aircraft underwent reorganization and changed its name to RotorWay International.The design and production of the Exec series helicopters began in the early 1990s, starting with the Exec 90. The Exec 90 contained the RI 162 engine, and, unlike previous helicopter kits, much of the assembly, including the welding, was done at the factory. The Exec 90 was followed by the Exec 162F in 1994.
The Exec 162F, with some improvements to the FADEC
FADEC
Full Authority Digital Engine Control is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an electronic engine controller or engine control unit , and its related accessories that control all aspects of aircraft engine performance...
system and the ACIS
ACIS
The 3D ACIS Modeler is a 3D modelling kernel owned by Spatial Corporation . ACIS is used by many software developers in industries such as computer-aided design , Computer-aided manufacturing , Computer-aided engineering , Architecture, engineering and construction , Coordinate-measuring machine...
, is still being produced and sold by RotorWay.
In July 2007, RotorWay announced the development of the A600 Talon. The A600 Talon features an updated FADEC system, an all-glass cockpit, a cog-belt replacing the primary drive chain, and a larger landing gear, among other features.
In February 2009, RotorWay purchased PMC Machining and Manufacturing, a Phoenix-based builder of helicopter parts. The CEO of PMC, Mark Porter, became president and COO of RotorWay as part of the acquisition. The company also announced plans to certify a two-seat turbine helicopter using the Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
RR300 engine and said that acquiring PMC will make that possible.
Business practices and expansion
Although it is the third largest helicopter manufacturer in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, RotorWay has established a factory in South Africa that manufactures ready-made helicopters in addition to kits. RotorWay has also begun the process of expanding into the certified helicopter market, and plans on making major changes, including the creation of a separate engine manufacturing company.
Awards and recognition
- 2005 Exec 162F is named Oshkosh AirVenture grand champion.
- 2004 Exec 162F is named Oshkosh AirVenture gold lindy grand champion, silver lindy reserve grand champion, and a model wins for outstanding workmanship.
- 2003 Exec 162F wins Oshkosh AirVenture grand champion and reserve grand champion.
- 2002 Exec 162F wins Oshkosh AirVenture reserve grand champion and for outstanding workmanship.
- 2001 Exec 162F wins Oshkosh AirVenture reserve grand champion, champion, and outstanding workmanship.
- 2000 HAIHelicopter Association InternationalThe Helicopter Association International is a not-for-profit professional trade association of 2,500-plus member organizations in more than 68 nations....
Aviation Repair Specialist Award for work done on the FADECFADECFull Authority Digital Engine Control is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an electronic engine controller or engine control unit , and its related accessories that control all aspects of aircraft engine performance...
system. - 1999 Finalist for the Flight International's Aerospace Industry Awards, in the category of Corporate and General Aviation.
- RotorWay Exc 162 was featured on Discovery ChannelDiscovery ChannelDiscovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
show "A Chopper is BornIs BornThe Is Born collection of Television series produced for the Discovery Channel in the UK, presented by Mark Evans.Each series follows Mark Evans through either the building or restoring of a vehicle- Cars :...
".