Manufacturer

Rotec Engineering

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Having been an aero¬nautical engineer at Bell and after working also for the helicopter division of the French Aerospatiale company, William Adaska de¬signed the first Rally series microlight in 1977, using a McCulloch engine and hybrid con¬trols. It was followed in 1979 by the Rally 2.

The Rally 2B was followed in 1981 by the Rally 3, the first FAA kit certified 2-place “ultralight style” airplane. The annual pro¬duction rate in 1982 was 3000.

In January 1983, Rotec introduced the aerobatic Rally Sport. The Rotec Rally Sport which they claimed was the first production aerobatic ultralight on the market.

1983-4: Rotec Engineering Inc, PO Box 220, Duncan¬ville, Texas 75116, USA.

Rotec was a leading producer of ultralight aircraft with the introduction of the ultralight Rally 2B.

Adaska, ex-Bell and ex-Aerospatiale employee who had specialised until then in helicopters, went on to sell over 2000 Rallys.

Bill Adaska owner of Rotec used the sales pitch that if an individual bought 5 aircraft, selling 4 to friends they would get their aircraft for nothing.

I had the opportunity to train on the Rally 3 Big Lifter, and the Rally 2 B. Before I could fly them I had to do modifications to the aircraft to make it safe to fly. The clutch had a tendency to fail, leaving you without power to the prop. The motorcycle style throttle was located on the stick, with the ignition switch right above it, and when wearing gloves and turning the throttle you would inadvertently turn the switch off.

The manufacturer also purchased large quantities of no longer in production snowmobile engines and installed them on his craft. While this kept the cost down, parts for these engines were almost impossible to find.

The Rotec was really just a cheap copy of the Quicksilver MX. For example the rudder, elevator, and spoileron cables were just rope. To attach these to the control systems Adaska used plastic hooks, and you literally tied a knot in the rope to attach the hook! Plastic fittings were used on the elevator, rudder, and spoilerons. These would crack and break when exposed to UV and cold.

With all this said the craft did fly, was quite forgiving, and easy to repair, and with some changes is a safe, fun, affordable flying machine.

Rotary Air Force / Haseloh

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The origins of Rotary Air Force South Africa date back to 1943 when Bernard J. Haseloh hovered his first experimental helicopter at his shop in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.

Mr. Haseloh was discouraged from building and testing amateur/experimental built helicopters, by the Government who felt that the technology for the power driven rotor system was too complex for the private individual.

To further complicate matters, at that time the Government had no regulations in place for amateur/experimental built helicopters. Therefore, his keen interest in Rotary Winged Aircraft turned toward the development of gyroplanes, the first of which was successfully completed in 1954

Over 30 years, Bernard Haseloh has developed and implemented numerous design and structural innovations for gyroplanes.

Mr. Haseloh has logged more than 2000 hours of flying time on his experimental “HASELOH” designed machines and has spent over 10,000 hours in the development of prototype gyroplanes of “ THE TYPE “ manufactured and sold by Rotary Air Force South Africa.

Bernard Haseloh holds the first Gyro Pilot’s License issued in Canada and is widely recognized as a pioneer in the gyroplane industry. Mr. Haseloh is highly regarded by Federal Aviation Regulators having for many years served as the designated gyroplane instructor for Alberta, Canada.
Bernard Haseloh served as a key technical advisor to the development, testing & design of the
RAF 2000

1987 the Group forms Rotary Air Force Marketing Inc, First aircraft to go into production is the RAF 1000,
recognizing the need for proper flight instruction and to meet the demand for a two place gyroplane the
Rotary Air Force team introduces the Two place Gyroplane in 1989.

Incorporated in 1987, Rotary Air Force employed 16 people in 2001.

1995-7: Box 1236, Kindersley, Saskatchewan S0L 1S0 Canada.

In May 2001, RAF announced that it would be expanding its activities into commercial applications, including agricultural spraying and paramilitary functions.

As of April 2, 2007, Rotary Air Force Marketing Inc. closes doors.

RotaMax Rotary Engines

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15152 TWP RD 190
Arlington OH 45814

OMC entered the snowmobile industry and spent a small fortune developing a rotary engine. At one point they had a team of over 40 engineers working to develop the engine.

Just about the time they were about to start production on the engine the snowmobile industry fell on hard times and the project was put on the back burners. A U.S. company RotaMax, purchased the design rights to the engine and using today’s technology has started producing and offering the engine for ultralight and light sport aircraft application.

Eric Barger President of RotaMax was at Sun N Fun showing a number of aircraft installations that were using the RotaMax rotary engine.

Rossy, Yves

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Yves Rossy

In 1993 Rossy began skysurfing and diving with wingsuits. In 1999 experimented with inflatable wings.
In 2003 Rossy straps jet engines to wings but fails to fly.
In 2006 was the first (unpowered) flight with two engines on fixed wings. In November 2006 was the first successful flight, of 6 minutes with four engines.
In November 2010 Rossy performs aerial loops on a newly developed model.
20 May 2011 – Rossy flew across the Grand Canyon.