De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle
De Lackner Helicopters · United States · first flew 1954 · helicopter
The De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle was a one-man flying platform conceived for the US Army, in which the pilot stood atop twin contra-rotating rotors with no fuselage whatsoever.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | no fuselage or enclosed cabin |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- pilot stands on a platform above two coaxial contra-rotating rotors
- no fuselage or enclosed cabin
- resembles a motorised flying platform
Utterly unique in appearance: a pair of overlapping rotor discs at platform level with the pilot standing above them, connected by a minimal framework. No fuselage, no tail — just rotors, engine, and a standing pilot.
Specifications
- The De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle has a length of 3.7 m (12 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.7 m (12 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 121 km/h (75 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the mid-1950s under US Army contract, the Aerocycle was intended to give individual infantrymen personal aerial mobility. The pilot balanced by instinct — leaning in the direction of intended travel, much like a Segway. Several crashes during Army evaluation, including one by the designated test pilot, led to cancellation in 1956.
Variants
The XHZ-1 was the prototype designation; the production-intended HZ-1 was never ordered. A close relative, the Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee, used a similar flying-platform concept.
Where you'll see it
Evaluated by the US Army in the mid-1950s at Fort Bragg and other test facilities. The programme was cancelled after safety concerns proved insurmountable without significant pilot training.
Related aircraft
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