So you want a personal-sized helicopter in your back yard? World's smallest one-man helicopter

 The GEN H-4 holds the record as the world's smallest  working co-axial passenger helicopter (See it in action in the video below!) The compact helicopter has two rotors (setting another record for smallest at a mere 3.9 meters in length) that turn in opposite directions to maintain stability, and four engines that enable a 30-minute flight with a top speed of about 56 miles per hour.

 Yanagisawa at the controls

Japanese engine designer, Gennai "Gen" Yanagisawa, CEO of Gen Corporation invented  this ultralight one-man helicopter.

Now 75 years old, Yanagisawa created the first version of the engine that would eventually evolve to power the GEN H-4  in the early 80s.  After 5 years of work on the development of this new engine he had established one of the best power-to-weight ratios available in the world.

"I hope someday this can be used just like a scooter" Gen     Yanagisawa


The obvious application was to use it in aviation where the low weight-to-power ratio would be of the greatest advantage, but it is only recently that he has developed the ideal use for it in this new ultra- light helicopter. (The total empty weight of this helicopter is only 155 lbs!)

In Japan strict flight regulations apply, however, as an ultra-light aircraft the GEN H-4 can be flown without a pilot's license in the United States.

Controls In front of the pilot attached to the control bar is the control panel with the throttle (altitude control), tachometer, ignition power, starter and yaw switches. The tools necessary for flight do not seem like much because they aren't.  Controlling the GEN H-4 is reportedly very easy. If you want to go forward, you pull the control bar toward you. If you want to go to the right, you move it to left, and want to go left, move it to right. Of course, you can reverse the helicopter - you only have to push it forward. The rise and descent are controlled by the throttle. If you push the throttle lever, GEN H-4 goes up, you let it, GEN H-4 goes down. If you want to turn to the right or left, you  push yaw-control-switch by right hand.

Yanagisawa has sold five GEN H-4s in Japan and two in the U.S. for recreational use. The helicopters sell for about $57,140.

Initially they were also available as a kit, but due to lack of  dealerships outside of Japan, they are unable to provide maintenance or training services to potential buyers. With this in mind, along with the ability to bring down the price through mass production they are currently seeking partnerships with distributors abroad. Currently, helicopters may be purchased for $200,000 Japanese yen (shipping included).

Solowheel personal casual urban transport

In another interesting foray into single person transportation, there is the Solowheel - a ground-based personal mover that  is easy to use, maneuverable through indoor or outdoor settings, light and highly portable.