Vertical Aviation Technologies at Sanford, Florida built its first Hummingbird helicopter in 1991 by converting an original
Sikorsky S-52-3. The subsequent Hummingbird
260L was powered by a Lycoming IVO-435 engine (265 hp) and the new
300L uses a General Motors LS7 V-8 automotive conversion engine (325 hp). The aircraft is supplied as a kit.
In 2016 began the developement of the
S-52L which maintains same airframe, rotor system, transmission and powerplant but with new tail surfaces, fuel system, electrical, instrumentation, interior and flight controls. Powered by a Continental (Titan) 6-cylinder 300 hp UI-540 derated to 245 hp.
As of 2020, around 25 helicopters of all the variants have been built