The Kamov KA-26 "Hoodlum" (ICAO: KA26 / WAKE: LIGHT) is a Soviet/Russian light utility helicopter with co-axial rotors. Created in Second Life by Adventure Air, the aircraft was based on the real-life Kamov Ka-26.
Background
Designed at the beginning of the sixties, the real-life KA-26 was built for maximum simplicity and versatility as a "lifting system" consisting of the powerplant, contra-rotating rotor assembly, cabin, landing gear and twin endplate fin tail unit. Loads and containers of various kinds could be installed immediately behind the cabin, beneath the rotors: a pod for six passengers, an open platform, tanks for liquid or solid insecticides or other products, and spray bars for agricultural use.
A variant for geophysical survey was equipped with an electromagnetic pulse generator in the cabin and a big hoop antenna outside. Thanks to its compactness and stability, the KA-26 can operate from small platforms and has been fitted with floats and used for fish-spotting.
Adventure Air's KA-26 comes equipped with detachable passenger pod, four pre-loaded liveries, working instruments and functioning lights. It is also customizable, with independent vendors developing additional equipment for the helicopter such as crop-sprayer attachments. The Hoodlum does not use the standard cylic/collective controls and physics, ubiquitous in Second Life helicopters. Instead Adventure Air has opted for a system where the pilot physically tilts the helicopter down to make it move forward while at the same time increasing throttle on the rotors.
Features
Kamov Ka 26 "Hoodlum"
Natascha Randt test pilots the KA-26.
- Detachable passenger pod
- Customizable paint
- Working lighting
- Dual flight-mode
- Hover-mode
- Seats up to six people
- Four liveries preloaded