Berger BX-50

BX-50
Role	Recreational helicopter
Manufacturer	Hans Berger
Designer	Hans Berger
First flight	16 March 1961
Number built	1

The Berger BX-50 was an experimental helicopter developed by Swiss inventor Hans Berger in 1961. Built largely at home, it was a single-seat design of conventional configuration with a bubble canopy, a two-blade rotor, and skid undercarriage. The upper portion of the canopy could slide to admit the pilot. After a number of test flights, the rotor was replaced with a semi-rigid three-blade design and the skids with tricycle, wheeled undercarriage. Not long after, it was damaged beyond repair and abandoned. In photographs, the registration number HB-XBC is visible, but this was never actually issued by Swiss authorities.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
• Diameter: 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
• Height: 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 33.2 m² (357 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 258 kg (569 lb)
• Gross weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental C90 , 63 kW (85 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
• Range: 360 km (224 mi, 195 nmi)
• Rate of climb: 4.0 m/s (790 ft/min)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 153.
• Aero Revue (March 1964)
• Der Flieger (March 1964)