I.P.D BF-1 Beija-Flor

The BF-1 was built by the aircraft department of the Brazilian Research and Development Institute (IPD) (formerly the CTA - Centro Técnico Aeroespacial), using a design of Henrich Focke.[1] It was a conventional three-bladed single rotor helicopter, powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Continental E225 piston engine, mounted in the nose.[1] The tail unit included a small vertical dorsal fin with a horizontal stabilizer on the starboard side. Two inter-meshing tail rotors, each inclined at 45°, provided pitch and yaw control.[2]

Three prototypes were built, the first flying on 1 January 1959, but the type did not enter production.[3]

Data from Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,[1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959–60[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 8.43 m (27 ft 8 in)
• Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
• Empty weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
• Gross weight: 950 kg (2,094 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental E225 6-cyl air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 168 kW (225 hp)
• Main rotor diameter: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
• Main rotor area: 63.625 m² (684.85 sq ft) with 2 inter-meshing tail rotors each inclined at 45°

Performance

• Maximum speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn) at sea level
• Cruise speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn) for maximum range; 140 km/h (87 mph; 76 kn)
• Range: 270 km (170 mi, 150 nmi) at 130 km/h (81 mph; 70 kn)
• Endurance: 3 hours maximum
• Service ceiling: 3,750 m (12,300 ft) maximum
  
• Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)
• Hover ceiling in ground effect: 2,700 m (8,900 ft)
• Hover ceiling out of ground effect: 1,400 m (4,600 ft)
• Rate of climb: 6.2 m/s (1,220 ft/min)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Cessna CH-1
• Baumgärtl PB-64

Related lists

• List of rotorcraft

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.