Light Sport’ Fly-By-Wire Helicopter Unveiled

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Advance Tactics and RotorX are introducing the ATRX-700, a $188,000 fly-by-wire two-seat helicopter capable of carrying 650 pounds 300 miles at 100 MPH.
  • Once the new MOSAIC regulations are in effect, the ATRX-700 can be flown with a driver's license medical and just 30 hours of training.
  • The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) expands the Light Sport Aircraft designation to include helicopters and eVTOLs, enabling simpler certification and operation for such aircraft.
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A California partnership says its fly-by-wire two-seat helicopter can be flown away by anyone with $188,000, a driver’s license medical and 30 hours of training as soon as the new MOSAIC regs come into effect. Advance Tactics and RotorX say the ATRX-700 will be easy to fly thanks to the computer on the other end of the controls, and it will carry 650 pounds 300 miles at 100 MPH. The new Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification has added eVTOLs and helicopters under a new regime that expands the current Light Sport Aircraft designation.

The ATRX-700 is based on a RotorX A600 kit helicopter but with modernized controls based on the control systems Advance Tactics has developed for pilot-optional military airlift multicopter vehicles. Under the MOSAIC umbrella, the 1,700-pound helicopter will be factory built and the 30 hours of training will be offered at the factory in Torrance, California. MOSAIC was announced on July 19 and is in the comment stage.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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