Filper Research Beta 200A
Filper Research · United States · first flew 1966 · helicopter
The Filper Research Beta 200A was a small tandem-rotor, rigid-rotor helicopter intended for the personal helicopter market. It was built by Filper Research of San Ramon, California, which existed from 1965 to 1968.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.33 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two rigid, three-blade rotors in tandem
- Small two-seat helicopter with a single Continental IO-360 piston engine
- No tail rotor, since the tandem rotors counter each other's torque
A compact helicopter with two three-blade rigid rotors one behind the other and a small cabin between them. It has no tail rotor.
Specifications
- The Filper Research Beta 200A has a length of 5.33 m (17 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.22 m (20 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Filper acquired development and marketing rights to the "Gyroflex" rigid-rotor design after a proof-of-concept test bed built by Copperfield. The Beta 200A, registered N5000F, first flew on 26 May 1966, and flight testing continued until July 1967.
Variants
The Beta 200 was a two-place helicopter and the Beta 400 a four-place one. One prototype of each was built and flown, and several pre-production airframes never flew.
Where you'll see it
Flight tests were disappointing: the Beta 200A was significantly underpowered and tended to pitch nose down in the transition to forward flight. Development was not completed and no FAA type certificate was sought.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.