Started to build my gyroplane recently...with pic...

[KDOG]

I finally got to start building my airplane this week. I just got the main airframe together and I have some more parts on the way. I'm fabricating the parts out of the aluminum myself for to reasons, the main reason is that it is FAR cheaper to do it yourself than have the parts pre made for you, and the other is its much more FUN!!! Anyway, I'm going to start painting it this week after I prep the aluminum.

This particular aircraft is called the Gyrobee, has an impeccable(sp?) safety record, probably due to its simple, sturdy design. Should have the complete airframe done in the spring, then I'll have to start looking/saving money for the engine and main rotor!!! Just thought I'd share...

 

[drnickriviera]

You going to use a Subaru engine or will that be too big for that model?

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

doesn't look much like an airplane

 

[Ornery]

You're out of your mind! Don't you have a wife and kids? Better check and see if your life insurance covers this, because you probably signed something that said you don't have this as a hobby. Isn't there supposed to be some kind of built in emergancy chute or something?

 

[KDOG]

Going to use a Rotax 447, and yes a Subaru engine would be too big...

I know it doesn't look like much now, but it will!!! The engine mount and fuel tank mount material is on its way!!!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Ornery
You're out of your mind! Don't you have a wife and kids? Better check and see if your life insurance covers this, because you probably signed something that said you don't have this as a hobby. Isn't there supposed to be some kind of built in emergancy chute or something?

nah, the thing will autogyro down if it ever stalls or runs out of gas or something. quite safe. (though our local dumbass news media doesn't think so)

 

[StageLeft]

That sounds fun.

 

[KDOG]

Ornery: No I'm not out of my mind. An autogyro is probably the safest TYPE of aircraft. The fly in constant state of autorotation. As ElFenix eluded to, it is much safer to try and land in an autogyro in an "engine out" situation than a conventional aircraft. You retain full control ( minus power, duh) and the area need to land is much smaller thus giving the pilot for more options in picking a place to land....

 

[Ornery]

So, what happens if the engine freezes, due to no oil or something? Is the rotor direct coupled, or is there some kind of tranny that can go into neutral? How fast does it drop?

I mean, if it plummits at 20MPH or so, that's going to be pretty serious, no? If you're only 100' in the air when it quits, that ain't much time for the rotor to do its thing either, right?

Ouch! :Q

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I still wouldn't go without some kind of emergency chute

 

[PremiumG]

how do gyroplanes keep from spinning the pilot around and around?

helicopters have that prop in the back w/ the rudder to do that.

 

[KDOG]

The main rotor isnt connected to anything. It spins simply do to the forward motion provided by the pusher engine. Laws of physics. You know how those sycamore seeds spin simply because there falling thru the air? same principle. The forward bound blade is providing the lift. The main rotors are deliberatly "over-engineered" for safety as well. There has NEVER been a case of the main rotor failing in gyros - which have been around since the '20s.

 

[KDOG]

Well that news clip is news to me!!! Wow. However it pretty much all depends on how well its put together by the builder, in this case - me...

 

[KDOG]

Ornery: Would you stop flying in other aircraft because there are fatal accidents? What about cars? 30,000+ fatalities every year - going to stop driving?

 

[PremiumG]

ahhh...

makes sense now.. dude that looks like so much fun. a kid in my high school talked about building one.

I thought they can be made for cheap? like sub 1000?

also, where do you plan to take off and land from? Is it legal just to go find an empty street or something? I mean don't you need permits and stuff?? seems like someone just can't go out and fly!!

 

[Ornery]

In Sunday?s crash, one of the blades broke loose and wedged upright in the ground at least 100 yards from the wreckage.

 

[virtueixi]

GL with that....

 

[PremiumG]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
I still wouldn't go without some kind of emergency chute

how can u use a chute when there are two blades spinning around "naked" around you? seems if u hop from the gyro, you'd be chopped up for sure!

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: KDOG
Ornery: Would you stop flying in other aircraft because there are fatal accidents? What about cars? 30,000+ fatalities every year - going to stop driving?

Apples & oranges. Double check and see if your life insurance covers this activity. You probably have to pay a higher premium for the coverage. Why do you suppose that is?

 

[FleshLight]

Originally posted by: PremiumG

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
I still wouldn't go without some kind of emergency chute

how can u use a chute when there are two blades spinning around "naked" around you? seems if u hop from the gyro, you'd be chopped up for sure!

And hopping from 1000 ft with a chute? Right.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: PremiumG

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
I still wouldn't go without some kind of emergency chute

how can u use a chute when there are two blades spinning around "naked" around you? seems if u hop from the gyro, you'd be chopped up for sure!

No clue, but maybe something to release the blades into another direction so they go away from you.

What I'm saying is probably stupid in terms of a solution, but I wouldn't trust my life with something like that

 

[KDOG]

Ornery: Its NOT apples n oranges. Theyre all machines. And their safety all depends on their design and construction and the people building them. As I stated in my original post, this particular aircraft has a great safety record. Very few crashes NONE OF THEM AIRFRAME RELATED, NONE FATAL. Not bad for 20+ yrs flying. If you all would like to know more about them, I suggest you visit www.rotoryforum.com. Its an awesome site, lots of info.

As far as insurance goes, you don't go thru a regular insurance companies, you go thru aircraft/pilot insurance companies like AVEEMCO.

As far as emergency chutes go, its not impossible but not practical. It IS possible to attatch the BRS (Ballistic Recovery System) chute to the non-rotating part of the rotor head, but its far more practical to ensure you have a robust rotor system, so you can auto-rotate down.

 

[Koing]

Looks dam cool.

Safety record is much better then cars but there are much more cars about. Just as likely to be hit in a random crazy accident then anything else.

Good job building it and keep us posted with pics

Also where are you going to take off with this?!

Koing

 

[KDOG]

There is a small airfield not even 1/2 mile down the road from my house, 2600ft - which is plenty. There is another small airfeild about 6-7 mi, and there is Millville Municipal Airport about 12 mi away. THought I want to use the one thats closest of course... I could just tow it down there when I want to fly it...

 

[KDOG]

You might want to checkout StarBee Gyros if anyone is interested in a kit...