Helicopter, KISS 216 by Famà Helicopters (12)

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by Sergio A. Barlocchetti - pictures by courtesy of Famà Helicopters

GIVE ME A KISS COPTER!

[ HELICOPTER ]

A small, indispensable object of desire. The new KISS 216 from Famà Helicopters is produced in Italy’s Motor Valley, a famous region with legendary cars in its DNA. The KISS 216 is the ideal flying tender, designed for non-professional pilots

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taly’s Motor Valley, a flat stretch of country between the Adriatic and the foothills of the Emilian Apennines, is well-known as the home of the supercars

Ferrari, Zonda and Lamborghini, Dallara racing cars and Ducati motorbikes - and helicopters, too. Solignano di Castelvetro, near Modena, is home to the factory owned by Nino Famà, an entrepreneur known for the victories racked up by his motorbike and sidecar teams and Formula 2000, F3 and F3000 racing. In 2009 Famà Helicopters launched its KISS line with the model 209, followed in 2016 by the 216. This two-seater single-rotor machine in metal and carbon fibre boasts an electrically-managed 170 shp T62 jet-turboshaft, and now being exported to the United States. There are two versions, one with retractable undercarriage the M, faster, but slightly heavier - or skids - 15km/h slower but lighter and less complicated. Both have the same cockpit, now wider by 125 cm, making it one of the most comfortable in its category, and integrated digital instrumentation. It is

More than a manufacturer of helicopters, FamĂ Helicopters is an aeronautical studio. The new KISS 216 is little gem, a personalisable aircraft built with obsessive attention to detail

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[ HELICOPTER ]

The new two-seater 216 weighs only 300 kilos. Available in two versions with retractable undercarriage or skids, it has a cruising speed of 205 km/h and a flying time of three hours

a very compact aircraft, only 8.22 metres in length with a 770 cm main rotor span and an unloaded weight of 300kg, suitable for all yachtboard helipads, and can fly at a cruising speed of 205 km/h for three hours. Their technical specs mean that the KISS 209 and KISS 216 are classified as ultralight or experimental, leading to lower running costs and less red tape than would the case if they were certified as helicopters. The KISS is designed for amateur pilots so are especially easy to use as a flying tender up to altitudes just over 3,000 metres. The company promotes itself as an aeronautical studio, offering clients a wide range of personalisation opportunities with an obsessive attention to detail. They are also affordable - a helicopter with all the bells and whistles on offer will cost â‚Ź250,000.

ŠAndrea Colombo

www.famahelicopters.com

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