RotorWay Exec

Design and development

The Exec 162F is the latest in the Exec series of helicopters manufactured by RotorWay International.

The RotorWay Scorpion design was updated with an aluminum tail and full fiberglass cockpit enclosure to become the Exec. The Exec 90 was developed in the early 1990s, it was, at the time, the only piston-powered helicopter to utilize an asymmetrical airfoil for improved autorotation characteristics and safety.

In 1994, a fuel injection system with electronic ignition, and FADEC was added to the Exec 90, producing the Exec 162F.

Unlike most U.S.-designed helicopters, the main rotor on the Exec 162F rotates clock-wise, as seen from above.

The Exec series was further developed into the RotorWay A600 Talon, which replaced the Exec in production.

Operational history

Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has a custom-painted Rotorway Exec 162F with his name and a picture of Walter on the aircraft.

Variants

Rotorway Windstar

Four place development that was cancelled.

RotorWay Exec 90

Introduced in 1990, improvement of the original RotorWay Exec, Electronic ignition, eyebrow windows, elastomeric control head.

RotorWay Exec 162F

FADEC improved model.

AvioTecnica ES-101 Raven

In 1996 AvioTecnica of Italy marketed the Exec as the ES-101 Exec with a turbine engine instead of the piston engine. In 2004 it produced an improved variant it named the Aviotechnica ES-101 Raven powered by a modified Solar T-62-A turboshaft. Other improvements include carbon-fibre rotor blades, a two-piece windscreen and later models have a digital cockpit.

Alpi Syton AH 130

The Raven design was taken over by Alpi Aviation in late 2008 and the aircraft further developed into the Alpi Syton AH 130.

Hillberg Turbine Exec

A turbine conversion using the Solar T-62 auxiliary power unit (APU) made by Hillberg Helicopters of Fountain Valley, California in the 1990s.

Specifications

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000

General characteristics

Crew: 2

Length: 22 ft (6.71 m)

Rotor diameter: 25 ft (7.62 m)

Height: 8 ft (2.44 m)

Disc area: 380 sq ft (35.4 m²)

Empty weight: 975 lb (442 kg)

Useful load: 525 lb (238 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × RotorWay RI 162F flat-four piston engine, 150 hp (112 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 115 mph (100 knots, 185 km/h) at sea level

Cruise speed: 95 mph (82 knots, 153 km/h)

Range: 180 mi (156 nmi, 290 km)

Endurance: 2 hr with maximum fuel

Service ceiling: 5,000 ft (1,525 m) hover ceiling, out of ground effect

Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)