Few of us are aquatinted with the fact that it was originally the Renaissance stalwart – Leonardo da Vinci, who was the first to conceive the idea of vertical-flight machine. In reverence to the versatile genius, a 75-year-old Japanese, Gennai Yanagisawa, who has designed world’s smallest helicopter, would launch it from Vinci’s birthplace. Yanagisawa is all set for the demonstration flight of his one-man helicopter in the city of Vinci, near Florence, in Italy on May 25.
Confirmed by a Guinness World Records spokeswoman, the helicopter designed by Yanagisawa is the smallest with respect to rotor length (just 13 feet) and weight. In late 1990s, he generated the GEN H-4 model with footrest, handle bar, rotors, and chairs. This four-engine helicopter featured two rotators turning in opposite direction. It is capable of a 30-minute flight at a top-speed of 56 miles per hour.

Yanagisawa’s inspiration: da Vinci’s 1493 ornithopter
With a weight of 165 pound, Yanagisawa’s miniature helicopter can rise up to 165 yards. However, Yanagisawa would be flying 16.5 feet above the ground during his demo flight, so that people can watch him and enjoy the flight.


























6 Comments, Comment or Ping
By Porch Lifts posted on Jun 2nd, 2008
Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
Leonardo really was ahead of his time on so many levels. I always wonder at the many things he invented/drew.
I wonder how much one of those personal helicopters costs…
By Porch Lifts posted on Jun 25th, 2008
Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
It should use whatever encoding you’ve chosen for your comments. If it isn’t working correctly, post a message in the forum and I’ll look into it.
By juka14 posted on Jul 5th, 2008
Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
That’s really great! You’re never to old to make your dreams come true!
juka14’s last blog post..Brussels
By Gossip posted on Aug 26th, 2008
Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
Take care, man, that jet is not so safe !
Gossips last blog post..Madonna Crazy Sticky Sweet Tour Live
By kyudo posted on Jan 8th, 2009
Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
simply genius. I cant wait until these things are mass produced and sold on the open market. Then they will have to control traffic in the sky as well as on the ground. the future is now
kyudos last blog post.. Pepper spray
By Man skydreamer posted on May 14th, 2009
Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
It doesn't matter, what's the price…..
I think, it's just unbelievable and real dream and high opportunity of all humanity in this small World to feel the real force, power and an endless freedoom of flight…. I would like to wish and send only the best new high technological steps and successful future designs……:)
6 Responses to “Smallest Helicopter – A Tribute To Da Vinci”
Reply to “Smallest Helicopter – A Tribute To Da Vinci”