Raven Explorer I
The Raven Explorer I is an American autogyro that was designed and produced by Raven Rotorcraft of Boulder Colorado and later El Prado, New Mexico, introduced in the 1990s. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit, for amateur construction.
The Explorer I is no longer available as the company has moved to develop the two-seat Raven Rotor-Plane.Design and development
The Explorer I was designed as a low-cost utilitarian autogyro. It complies with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of. It features a single main rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield and conventional landing gear. A cockpit fairing was a factory option. The acceptable power range is and the standard engine used is the twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, single-ignition 2si 460 engine in tractor configuration. The cabin width is.
The aircraft fuselage is made from a combination of welded 4130 steel tube and bolted-together aluminum tubing. Its two-bladed rotor has a diameter of. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of and a gross weight of, giving a useful load of. With full fuel of the payload for the pilot and baggage is.
The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a engine is and the landing roll is.
The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied kit as 100 hours.Specifications (Explorer I)
