One of the most impressive helicopter-related products at the 2011 Toledo Expo was the RotorMast.com V-22 Osprey. I’d read a good deal online about this remarkable design, and I’d seen a number of online videos as well, but seeing it in person I gained a clearer understanding of the careful thought and effort that went into this machine.
Designer Tom Mast has devoted more than 3 years to the design and development of this complex aircraft, which replicates the performance of the full-scale Osprey in every way. The mechanical design was ingenious, and Tom developed an onboard module to allow smooth control of the aircraft with a standard helicopter radio.
My impressions were born out at the 2011 IRCHA Jamboree, where Tom put in a number of eye-catching demonstration flights. The stability and performance looked to be everything you could ask for as the Osprey made smooth transitions to high speed flight and back to hovering. I was very impressed. Needless to say I jumped at the opportunity to build a V-22 and learn about this machine from the ground up.
In the coming weeks I’ll be building the RotorMast V-22, and I hope you’ll follow along with the project. It looks like it’ll be an interesting and I hope rewarding build. In the meantime, you can learn more about this aircraft, download the construction manual and contact the designer at:
http://rotormast.com
Jim Ryan
