May
19
    
Posted (admin) in on May-19-2008 | 245 views

The world’s smallest one-man helicopter will soon take flight in Vinci, Italy. Vinci is the birthplace of Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, who is credited with having first thought of a vertical-flight machine.

The 75-kilogram (165-pound) helicopter, named GEN H-4, will make a demonstration flight in Vinci on May 25, according to Japanese developer Gennai Yanagisawa.

“Since the concept of our helicopter came from Italy, I always wanted to take a flight in the birthplace of da Vinci,” he said. “I feel like I’m greeting an ancestor. I hope da Vinci would be pleased.”

Yanagisawa has already been to the town in February and has received the blessing of Mayor Dario Parrini.

GEN H-4 has a set of two rotors turning in opposite directions and can fly at a maximum speed of 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour. In February, Guinness World Records recognized it as the world’s smallest helicopter that can carry a person.

Yanagisawa runs a company in Matsumoto, Japan, selling the helicopter. He has sold five units in Japan and two to US customers. The current model is priced at six million yen (USD 58,250).


Post a comment
Name: 
Email: 
URL: 
Comments: