Vortech Sparrow
The Vortech Sparrow is an American autogyro that was produced by Vortech of Fallston, Maryland. When it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction. Vortech also supplied rotor blades and some key parts for the design.
Available in 2005, by January 2015 the aircraft was no longer listed on the Vortech website.Design and development
The Vortech Sparrow was designed to comply 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, tricycle landing gear, plus a tail caster. The acceptable power range is. The standard engine used is the twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition Rotax 503 engine mounted in pusher configuration.
The aircraft fuselage is made from metal 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 as 150 hours.Operational history
By 1998 the company reported that more than six kits had been sold, were completed and flying.
