ghibli260-04.html - 2009

Updated: 2010, 17th of July

2 - Do I need a fixed wing license first ?
No. You can start as a helicopter pilot.

3 - Can I take lessons in my own Ghibli ?
Yes. A Flight Instructor can give you flight training in your helicopter.

4 - Is the throttle syncronized with the collective ?
Yes. The system works very well and with an heavier 3-bladed rotor system, r.p.m.'s will not "bleed off" quickly like a two blade system.
The 3-blade rotor system eliminates any concern for mast bumping.

5 - Can I maintain my own helicopter ?
Yes. After complete assembly process the FAA will issue a Repairements Certificate.
This cannot be accomplished with a commercial helicopter.

6 - What is the hourly operating cost ? ( year 2010 - USA )
With the LS7 Engine are as follows:
CONSUMABLES:
Fuel - 9 gph @ $ 2.00 gallon: $ 18.00
Oil/hour $ .50

RESERVES
Reserve foir engine overhaul $ 1.15
Reserve for spare parts:
Major Component Overhaul@TBO $ 27.22
Replacement of Retierement Item.

TOTAL DIRECT OPERATING COST: $ 46.87 per flight hour.
NOTE: there are no calendar inspections, so operating cost is based on flight hours only.

7 - Does this helicopter design meet the stringent FAA standards ?
Yes. This helicopter was originally approved for commercial use by the FAA.
The orginal design went thru Sikorsky and FAA engineering and flight testing programs.
All dynamic components were subjected to a fatigue life substantiation.
Fatigue life is substantiated by measuring in-flight steady and vibratory loads on components like rotor blades with strain gauges and the helicopter is flown at all weights, c.g.'s, altitudes, temperatures and manuevres.
With these known loads a minimum of four specimens ( ex: rotorblades ), are loaded and cycled with special equipment in a laboratory until failure.
This establishes the life of the component before failure.
This information cannot be predicted.

8 - Do you have a quality control process for the manufacturing of parts ?
Yes. We have been involved with extensive FAA manufacturting approvals and FAA Repair Station.
This was required for our company to manufacture components like rotorheads and rotorblades for Commercial Transport Category helicopters.

9 - What kind of fuel does the Ghibli require ?
The LS7 engine is approved for 91 octane automobile fuel.

10 - Can an auxiliary fuel system be installed ?
Yes. We have available a 22 gallon auxiliary system increasing the range.

11 - Is there baggage space ?
Yes. The helicopter has two large easily accessed baggage compartments in the main cabin.

12 - There is any weight limit per seat ?
No.

13 - There is any calendar life on the airframe or components ?
No.

14 - What are the overhaul periods ?
All components were designed by Sikorsky for 1200 flight hours.
The overhaul information is provided to you with the owner manual or you can send back the GHIBLI to the factory.
These components are very simple in design.
The LS7 engine has an overhaul period of 3000 hours.
There are no calendar inspections.

15 - What are the life limited components ?
There are no life limited components except for the main rotor and tail blades.
Because of the over built design the rotorhead, tail rotor and main shaft, have no fatigue life.
The main blades are 1200 hours and the tail blades are 1700 hours.

16 - Can I install a cargo hook ?
Yes. This helicopter was designed and approved for a cargo hook.