INTERNATIONAL COMMUTER IIA “SAFARI”€

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commuter is a two-seater helicopter designed by Harold "Pop" Emigh, prioritizing safety and reliability with gear-driven main and tail rotors to eliminate belts or chains.
  • It is powered by a proven 150-hp Lycoming aircraft engine with dual ignition and features a Chrome-Moly steel tubing airframe that can be constructed with common tools.
  • Complex components like the main rotor transmission and blades are factory-assembled, enhancing its reliability.
  • The helicopter offers superior auto-rotation capability, descending at a low rate of 1,200 to 1,400 fpm with the engine off, and is marketed by Canadian Home Rotors, Inc.
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STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,300. Empty wt. 700. Fuel capacity 22. Rotor span 25′. Length 29′. Engine 150-hp Lycoming.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 100. Cruise mph 90. Climb rate 1,071. Ceiling 13,000. Range 200.

The Commuter was designed by Harold “Pop” Emigh who includes among his accomplishments the Navajo and Polaris ballistic missile systems and the Emigh Trojan (see the single-engine section). He stressed safety and reliability in every component of this two-seater to assure the safest helicopter possible. The main rotor and tail rotor are gear driven, so there are no rubber belts or chains to readjust or fail. It is powered by the proven 150-hp Lycoming aircraft engine with a dual ignition. Such complicated parts as the main rotor transmission, tail rotor gear box, rotor blades, and the like are assembled at the factory. The airframe is Chrome-Moly steel tubing and can be constructed with a minimum of common tools. The Commuter will auto-rotate better than most helicopters; with engine off, it descends at a rate of only 1,200 to 1,400 fpm. The aircraft is now marketed by Canadian Home Rotors, Inc.

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