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A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
RotorWay supplied the two-seat Exec family for amateur construction from Arizona. Skids and a two-blade main rotor form the basic layout. FlyInside represents the piston-powered RW162F and turbine JetExec as separate aircraft with different engine and systems descriptions.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗Two instructors help a sceptical visitor settle in
McAdams arrived at the factory unsure that such a small helicopter would hover as steadily as its instructor promised. Time with Elbert Wolter soon changed that impression. They spent an hour practising turns, sideways movement and repeated landings around Stellar Air Park, giving him a chance to become comfortable before moving further afield.
AOPA Pilot · July 1995. Piston-powered Exec 162F at Stellar Air Park, Arizona, with Elbert “Stretch” Wolter and John O’Neil; not the turbine JetExec.
AOPA Pilot · Read more ↗The JetExec is the turbine alternative
FlyInside’s separate JetExec product describes a turbine installation, animated drive and control systems, and inspection hatches exposing internal equipment.
RotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
FlyInside · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Aviation AZ Rancher · 22 min ·
RotorWay JetExec Turbine-Powered Helicopter
An owner introduces a turbine-converted RotorWay JetExec.
Related conversion · turbine-powered RotorWay JetExec; distinct from a piston Exec
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet RotorWay Exec / JetExec
RotorWay supplied the two-seat Exec family for amateur construction from Arizona. Skids and a two-blade main rotor form the basic layout. FlyInside represents the piston-powered RW162F and turbine JetExec as separate aircraft with different engine and systems descriptions.
RotorWay Exec / JetExec
RotorWay → · Explore the family →
RotorWay Exec
Wikipedia contributors · RotorWay Exec ↗FlyInside · MSFS 2020 →JetExec
Wikipedia contributors · RotorWay Exec ↗FlyInside · MSFS 2020 →Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
RotorWay JetExec turbine conversion
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designators ↗Checked 2026-09-14History & design
Development milestones
First flight: 1994
Wikipedia contributors · RotorWay Exec ↗RotorWay Exec · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1245615264
Pilot accounts
Two instructors help a sceptical visitor settle in
McAdams arrived at the factory unsure that such a small helicopter would hover as steadily as its instructor promised. Time with Elbert Wolter soon changed that impression. They spent an hour practising turns, sideways movement and repeated landings around Stellar Air Park, giving him a chance to become comfortable before moving further afield.
A second flight with John O’Neil took them to a closed airport for approaches and autorotation practice. McAdams found the helicopter predictable through those exercises and smooth during the intervening flying.
AOPA Pilot · July 1995. Piston-powered Exec 162F at Stellar Air Park, Arizona, with Elbert “Stretch” Wolter and John O’Neil; not the turbine JetExec.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗A factory tour ends with a change of mind
Fassbender’s visit began with the showroom and a look through the production facilities. The organisation of the kit and the factory’s preparation of its components interested him, but the most persuasive part of the day came afterwards. John O’Neill led him through the preflight inspection before they departed for the training area.
When Fassbender took the controls, their sensitivity made him appreciate the value of instruction even for an experienced pilot. O’Neill demonstrated an autorotation ending in a hover, a quick stop and a demanding takeoff before they returned. By the end of the visit, Fassbender’s doubts about kit helicopters had eased enough for him to imagine owning one himself.
Personal account of 12 October 1998. Exec 162F flight with chief pilot John O’Neill at Stellar Air Park; later sales figures in the article are dated December 2001.
Read the full account · Dirk E. Fassbender ↗An appealing shape becomes an enjoyable aircraft to fly
Krasner had admired the RotorWay’s appearance while remaining deeply suspicious of a helicopter assembled from a kit. Visiting Southern Helicopters gave her time to discuss those doubts before instructor Iain King introduced her to G-BWUJ. Once aboard, she liked the space and visibility, although a cushion was needed to bring the pedals within comfortable reach.
Flying it turned curiosity into enthusiasm. She enjoyed the response in turns and found it steadier than its small size had led her to expect. Her praise included reservations: the throttle felt stiff, the low-rotor warning light was hard to see, and the collective tended to creep.
Today’s Pilot · March 2005. Exec 162F G-BWUJ at Takeley with instructor Iain King; piston helicopter and individual cockpit observations.
Read the full account · Today’s Pilot / RotorWay UK ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2020RotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside
FlyInside · Released
RotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside
FlyInside · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m) |
| Wingspan | 25 ft 0 in (7.62 m) |
| Height | 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m) |
| Wing area | 380 sq ft (35.4 m² ) |
| Empty weight | 975 lb (442 kg) |
| Max takeoff weight | 1,500 lb (680 kg) |
| Powerplant | 1 × RotorWay RI 162F flat-four piston engine, 150 hp (112 kW) |
| Maximum speed | 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn) at sea level |
| Cruise speed | 95 mph (153 km/h, 82 kn) |
| Range | 180 mi (290 km, 156 nmi) |
| Service ceiling | 5,000 ft (1,525 m) hover ceiling, out of ground effect |
| Rate of climb | 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
The JetExec is the turbine alternativeRotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
FlyInside’s separate JetExec product describes a turbine installation, animated drive and control systems, and inspection hatches exposing internal equipment.
JetExec product source; separate from piston RW162F
FlyInside · Read the source ↗The turbine edition also offers assistance and failuresRotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
Its HeliManager provides control configuration and artificial-stability settings. The listed failures include overtorque, engine failure and rotor overspeed.
JetExec developer description; features scoped to this product
FlyInside · Read the source ↗Adjust the RW162F controls in HeliManagerRotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
FlyInside describes joystick configuration and artificial-stability sliders in HeliManager. Its piston RW162F uses the developer’s own flight-dynamics engine.
RW162F product page · MSFS; documented options
FlyInside · Read the source ↗Inspect the piston helicopter as well as its cockpitRotorWay Exec / JetExec · FlyInside · FlyInside · MSFS 2020
The product lists opening inspection hatches with engine and transmission models, interactive circuit breakers, and simulated failures including engine and rotor overspeed.
RW162F developer description; no runtime-fidelity claim
FlyInside · Read the source ↗Pilot account
Two instructors help a sceptical visitor settle inAOPA Pilot · July 1995. Piston-powered Exec 162F at Stellar Air Park, Arizona, with Elbert “Stretch” Wolter and John O’Neil; not the turbine JetExec.
McAdams arrived at the factory unsure that such a small helicopter would hover as steadily as its instructor promised. Time with Elbert Wolter soon changed that impression. They spent an hour practising turns, sideways movement and repeated landings around Stellar Air Park, giving him a chance to become comfortable before moving further afield. A second flight with John O’Neil took them to a closed airport for approaches and autorotation practice.
Tim McAdams
AOPA Pilot · Read the source ↗A factory tour ends with a change of mindPersonal account of 12 October 1998. Exec 162F flight with chief pilot John O’Neill at Stellar Air Park; later sales figures in the article are dated December 2001.
Fassbender’s visit began with the showroom and a look through the production facilities. The organisation of the kit and the factory’s preparation of its components interested him, but the most persuasive part of the day came afterwards. John O’Neill led him through the preflight inspection before they departed for the training area. When Fassbender took the controls, their sensitivity made him appreciate the value of instruction even for an experienced pilot.
Dirk E. Fassbender
Dirk E. Fassbender · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft background
RotorWay ExecWikipedia contributors · Research background · retrieved 2026-09-12Product
RotorWay RW162FFlyInside · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12 RotorWay JetExecFlyInside · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12Type designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 4 profile choices
FlyInside RotorWay JetExec
FlyInside · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
FlyInside RotorWay JetExec: The cyclic spring and damping accompany the selected RotorWay rendition.
FlyInside RotorWay RW162F
FlyInside · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
FlyInside RotorWay RW162F: The cyclic spring and damping accompany the selected RotorWay rendition.
RotorWay RW162F (piston)
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020
RotorWay RW162F (piston): The cyclic spring and damping accompany the selected RotorWay rendition.
RotorWay JetExec (turbine)
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020
RotorWay JetExec (turbine): The cyclic spring and damping accompany the selected RotorWay rendition.
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