GEN H-4 Helicopter–World’s Smallest

Hey, do you remember that KA-56 portable helicopter I posted late last year? That concept was never realised. Perhaps it wasn’t time for a small chopper during that time. Come 2008 however, the world’s smallest one-man helicopter is now available commercially.

Called the GEN H-4, this diminutive chopper was designed and created by Japanese inventor Gennai Yanagisawa. It will take a symbolic flight in Vinci, Italy on May 25 as a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci. The GEN H-4 has no tail like what conventional choppers exhibit. Instead, it has two propellers rotating oppositely to cancel out torque and provide a balanced air flight. It goes flies at a max speed of 31 mph and could easily be outstripped by a motorcycle but what the hey–at least there’s no traffic overhead! Actually, the GEN H-4 is already available commercially. So far, it’s only sold six units in the USA for £29,125.

Chopper commute to work, here we come!

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