The Niki 2004 is a family of Bulgarian autogyros, designed and produced by Niki Rotor Aviation of Pravets. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Niki 2004
Role Autogyro
National origin Bulgaria
Manufacturer Niki Rotor Aviation
Introduction 2004
Status In production (2013)

Design and development

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The Niki 2004 features a single main rotor, a two-seats-in side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a four-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, single-ignition 150 hp (112 kW) Subaru EJ22 auto-conversion engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft fuselage is made from monocoque aluminum sheet, with a steel rotor mast and the twin tails supported by aluminium tubing. The series uses American-made Vortech and SportCopter rotor blades with a 9.14 m (30.0 ft) diameter and a chord of 20 cm (7.9 in). The 2004M model has an empty weight of 350 kg (772 lb) and a gross weight of 550 kg (1,213 lb), giving a useful load of 200 kg (441 lb).[1]

Variants

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2004
Original version with a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), a fuselage length of 3.90 m (12.8 ft) and a cruise speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).[2]
2004M
Stretched version with a fuselage length of 4.225 m (13.9 ft) and a cruise speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).[1][3]
2008
Improved version with a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), a fuselage length of 4.225 m (13.9 ft) and a cruise speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).[4]

Specifications (2004M)

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Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Empty weight: 350 kg (772 lb)
  • Gross weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 70 litres (15 imp gal; 18 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Subaru EJ22 four cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, single-ignition automotive engine, 110 kW (150 hp)
  • Main rotor diameter: 9.14 m (30 ft 0 in)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed composite

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)


References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 184. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ "Gyrocopter NIKI 2004". Niki Aviation. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Gyrocopter NIKI 2004 M". Niki Aviation. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Gyrocopter NIKI 2008". Niki Aviation. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
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