Top speed 170 km/h Manufacturer Niki Rotor Aviation | Length 4.55 m | |
Niki lightning autogyro 1
The Niki Lightning is a fully enclosed two-seater tricycle autogyro of composite construction, designed and built by Niki Rotor Aviation in Bulgaria.
Contents
Niki lightning autogyro 2
Design and development
The Lightning's cockpit pod accommodates a pilot and passenger in tandem. The main rotor is two-bladed, with a pre-rotation facility. Like most autogyro aircraft, there is a rear empennage, supported by a boom; but whereas the usual approach (as on the Calidus) is to have the boom routed below the prop, thereby protecting the prop from ground strikes, this autogyro has a fully faired boom co-axial with the prop. The boom may be unbolted and removed to aid access to the engine and prop.
There is a choice of two very compact D-Motor engines (both liquid-cooled horizontally opposed side-valve four-strokes): either the 95 hp (71 kW) 4-cylinder LF26 or the 130 hp (97 kW) 6-cylinder LF39. The engine is sited behind the cockpit, driving a 3- or 4-bladed ground-adjustable pusher propeller. Although D-Motor engines are direct-drive units with no gearbox, on the Lightning there appears to be a reduction system using belt drive.
Consuming some 15 l (4.0 US gal; 3.3 imp gal) of avgas per hour, the autogyro has an endurance of 4 hours, with 30 minutes reserve. Its cruise speed of 81 kn (150 km/h; 93 mph) gives the autogyro a range of over 320 nmi (590 km; 370 mi). It has a take-off roll of 70 m (230 ft), and a landing roll of 20 m (66 ft). The Lightning may be flown with its side doors removed.
Specifications (D-Motor LF39)
Data from US distributor
General characteristics
Performance