The Sport Copter Lightning is an American autogyro, designed and produced by Sport Copter of Scappoose, Oregon. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page F-4. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 58. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 209. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485XBayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 187. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
Design and development The base model Lightning 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 and a twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, single-ignition Rotax 503 engine in pusher configuration.
The aircraft fuselage is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. Its diameter rotor is supplied ready-made and constructed from bonded dural aluminum by the company's subsidiary Sport USA LLC. The landing gear includes telescopic spring suspension. A semi-enclosed cockpit fairing with windshield is optional.
The basic Lightning design has been developed into the heavier Vortex.
Reviewer Andre Cliche said of the Lightning: "In flight, the Lightning is forgiving and easy to maneuver, with light, geared-down controls. It is responsive but not tricky. It is a good choice for beginners."
Variants Lightning Base model powered by a Rotax 503 engine. Can accept engines from . Optional cockpit fairing. 53 examples had been completed and flown by 2005. Vortex Improved model powered by a Rotax 582 or Rotax 912UL engine. Can accept engines from . Empty weight is and gross weight is . Cockpit fairing is standard. 124 examples had been completed and flown by 2005. Vortex M912 A strengthened rough-field version originally designed for Australian cattle mustering, (the M stands for Mustering), equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS engine.
Specifications (Lightning)
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