Firebird progress....

[Aussie_Paul]

.... A couple of pics when I started to bolt polished alloy parts to the satin black powder koted airframe with shiney gold AN hardware. I should have the Firebird red cabin, tail feathers, wheel spats and u/c legs back from the painters this week.

Aussie Paul. :)

[rtfm]

Paul,
Looking great. So exciting now that you've reached the final stage of the project. I can't wait to see it completed...

Regards,
Duncan

[Aussie_Paul]

Paul,
Looking great. So exciting now that you've reached the final stage of the project. I can't wait to see it completed...

Regards,
Duncan

Me to Duncan. :):)

Aussie Paul. :)

[mark treidel]

Paul, I like the looks/design of the nose wheel. Is it full castering or will you be adding a self centering spring? Is that arm a brake for the nose wheel in the top picture? The dual spring set up is sweet.

[rgraffeo]

Looking good.
Think you will be able to bring it to the states in 2007?

[Aussie_Paul]

Looking good.
Think you will be able to bring it to the states in 2007?

The plan is for Mentone and Oshkosh 2007, BUT with my track record of time frame forecasting it's hard to say!!!

Mark, yes a nose wheel brake is fitted. They work very well. The nose wheel will be connected to the rudder pedals via some springing that allows the wheel to self align should the pilot be a little crossed up or in a strong cross wind.

Aussie Paul. :)

[John Stahl]

Looking Good. Paul take lots of pics and keep us posted

[Bob F]

Paul,
Do you plan to sell the Firebird in the US ? Also is the cabin any wider then the RAF ?
Thanks,
Bob

[Rehan K.Janjua]

Hello Paul.

Good Luck, bet its gona be hell of a gyro.

Keep us posted and pics would be wonderful.

Best wishes.
Rehan

[Aussie_Paul]

Paul,
Do you plan to sell the Firebird in the US ? Also is the cabin any wider then the RAF ?
Thanks,
Bob

Bob, US sales will depend on what hoops we have to jump thru to offer Firebird as a turn key aircraft. I want to sell turn key for as long as I can afford to. If the market demands then we will do the construction manual and DVDs.

The cabin is 6" wider, 2" higher, and 2" longer than a Raf. The seating has been designed for COMFORT!!

Aussie Paul. :)

[Aussie_Paul]

Hello Paul.

Good Luck, bet its gona be hell of a gyro.

Keep us posted and pics would be wonderful.

Best wishes.
Rehan

Will do, especially now that some real productive action is happening. Up until now it has mainly been behind the scens stuff that doesn't have any photographic merit.

Aussie Paul. :)

[mark treidel]

Paul, When the time come, I would love to see some photo's of the completed nose wheel assembly, possibly before the pod goes on. Thanks

[birdy]

Keep at it PB, i'm getn impatient.
Mark, the nose wheel isa Rosco, zactly same as on me ferel.
Toughest one go'n.

[Dewie]

Looking good Paul
Keep up the pressure
________
CANDYGAL (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/CANDYGAL)

[Aussie_Paul]

Keep at it PB, i'm getn impatient.
Mark, the nose wheel isa Rosco, zactly same as on me ferel.
Toughest one go'n.

Birdy, it is modified quite a bit compared to a Rosco. The keel is higher on the Firebird so the legs had to be longer, and I kept the pivot bolt further way from the tyre as the clay in some parts of the country can build up and grab.

The thru bolts are not there as they are hard to get out when they have done a bit of hard work. They bend ever so slightly that they are almost impossible to get out. I chose a slightly different way to achieve the results needed.

I would love to have a dollar for every hour that a Rosco n/wheel has been in operation!! :)

I will post some closer pics Mark.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Aussie_Paul]

..... I saw the first painted cabin today. Mounting is planned for Saturday. :rant: :rant: :) :)

Aussie Paul. :)

[asmuzsr]

Any idea on the cost of the kit and what shipping would be to the states?

[rtfm]

G'day Paul,
Hey, good on ya. The hardest thing about patience is the waiting...

Duncan

[dragonflyerthom]

Great to hear you are coming along

Unlike me you know just what to do. I have built and rebuilt my RAF 2-3 time now. If I don't like it tear it down and redo it. I now am about 2-3 day of being finished. lol

The only thing I haven't redone is the mast to keel but that is probably because it is rivited. I am doing the clean up now. Polished the front window yesterday.

Good Luck.


Thom

[Aussie_Paul]

Thanks everyone for the support. :):)

More pics next week.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Aussie_Paul]

Mark, a closer pic of the nose wheel set up. As Birdy said it is very similar to the Oz Rosco style.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Aussie_Paul]

Any idea on the cost of the kit and what shipping would be to the states?

Tony, we will only be selling turn key ready to fly Firebirds for a start, as we have quite a few people wanting that.

If the demand arises for a kit we will have to develop the construction manual and DVDs etc. We are too busy to do that at the moment.

What are my options for "ready made turn key" sales into the US?

Aussie Paul. :)

[Udi]

...What are my options for "ready made turn key" sales into the US?

Aussie Paul. :)
None at this time. The only built aircraft sold legaly in the US are Part 103 ultralites, FAA certified, and now LSA or SLSA. I don't believe your lead sled can be any of these, not until the FAA approves LSA and SLSA gyroplanes.

Udi

[birdy]

The thru bolts are not there as they are hard to get out when they have done a bit of hard work.
Buggered if i can pick the difference between the nose wheel in the pic and the new Rosco i got ona ferel, cept for the longer drop arms?
Looks zactly the same as one on a machine not far north o here, with a raised keel same as yours.

[Aussie_Paul]

The thru bolts are not there as they are hard to get out when they have done a bit of hard work.
Buggered if i can pick the difference between the nose wheel in the pic and the new Rosco i got ona ferel, cept for the longer drop arms?
Looks zactly the same as one on a machine not far north o here, with a raised keel same as yours.

That does not mean the changes aren't there Birdy.:noidea:

Aussie Paul. :)

[birdy]

PB, you said, " The thru bolts are not there". Well, im sorry, but the pic clearly shows they are there, same as mine.
So wot are you refern to, or am i thinkn of sumthn else wen you say 'through bolt"?

Like i said , it looks zactly same as ol mates up the road, and it a genuine 100 poocent rosco.

[Aussie_Paul]

PB, you said, " The thru bolts are not there". Well, im sorry, but the pic clearly shows they are there, same as mine.
So wot are you refern to, or am i thinkn of sumthn else wen you say 'through bolt"?

Like i said , it looks zactly same as ol mates up the road, and it a genuine 100 poocent rosco.

You can't be told can you Birdy? lol :lol:

Aussie Paul. :)

[birdy]

It can be prooved to me, i can be convinced, but noone ever tells me.
If your go'n to try to sell these things to anyone but the gullible PB, you'll have to do better n that.
Refusen to answer ligitamet questions and laughing off ones you cant answer isnt a good look.

[Aussie_Paul]

The painter is supposed to have painted the rest of the composite stuff so I can mount the cabin tomorrow. I would rather not try and place the cabin without the u/c on and that only got painted today, well I hope it did.

The cabin was painted last week but the h/stab, fin and rudder, wheel spats, instrument console etc were supposed to be done Friday BUT the painter had some hiccups!!!

All the sub assemblies will bolt straght on as soon as the cabin is mounted.

Aussie Paul. :)

[dragonflyerthom]

PB

Are you going to put wheel spats on the front wheel? I do like the way they take up the abuse from rough runways.


Thom

[StanFoster]

Paul: Its looking nice. I like the way you have sub assemblies that can go on after the cabin. Good planning.


Stan

[birdy]

Hmmmm...................... PBs ignorn me:)
Seems he cant handle constructive critisism.
I'm no gyro builder, but blind freddy can see a very bad flaw with that front end, but i gess PB will never know, coz he wont listen to a SCG.[ much to the detriment of anyone who buys one o these things.]
Gess i'm just not good enough for him:(

[Aussie_Paul]

PB

Are you going to put wheel spats on the front wheel? I do like the way they take up the abuse from rough runways.


Thom

Thom, we will do the covering of the nose wheel assembly and the spat after Christmas.

Aussie Paul. :)

[GyroRon]

I see the flaw as well Birdman! Surely Aussie Paul doesn't plan to mount that nose wheel assembly with a bolt only going through one half of the main keel!!!!

[Aussie_Paul]

Hmmmm...................... PBs ignorn me:)
Seems he cant handle constructive critisism.
I'm no gyro builder, but blind freddy can see a very bad flaw with that front end, but i gess PB will never know, coz he wont listen to a SCG.[ much to the detriment of anyone who buys one o these things.]
Gess i'm just not good enough for him:(

No, I am not ignoring you Birdy, I am a little busy at the moment with the container due.

I haven't got the correct AN8 bolt yet to put the spacer in the keel Birdy. Mate, it all has to be passed by ASRA and the NZ authorities, regardless of what you or I think.
'night Birdy.

Aussie Paul. :)

[birdy]

I haven't got the correct AN8 bolt yet to put the spacer in the keel Birdy.
Thought so, i didnt think you was that slack.;)

regardless of what you or I think.
Like i said, i'm no builder, just concerned, and cant see anythn wrong with pointn it out. I'v see worse things on gyros before.


I still say its a 100 poocent rosco nose wheel, which is good, coz they'v got a rep thatll be hard t beet.

[rtfm]

Hey Paul,
Those have to be the worst (ie MOST bum-numbing seats on the planet!) :lol: from what I can see... I expect you'll be covering them in bum-friendly stuff? (Post #3)

Duncan

[Aussie_Paul]

[I]I still say its a 100 poocent rosco nose wheel, which is good, coz they'v got a rep thatll be hard t beet.


Well Birdy you can say it. BUT you're still wrong. lol :confused:

I certainly picked the best to modify with a Rosco, no doubt about that.:yo:

Got a little bit done today.

Aussie Paul. :)

[birdy]

Duncan, if im not mistaken, they are a couple of Gerrys 40l tanks, and from experiance, they are the best shape seat bar nun.[ witha bita paddn of course;)]
I can sit in mine for 12 hours in a day and still feel like my age should have me feeln.
Im plan'n on do'n the same with the wasa, coz me legs are asleep on that f^$# RAF seat inside 2 hours.

And PB, i'm not be'n a smartass, i'm tryn to figure how you'v mobified the rosco nose wheel, coz ..................... i'd like to know.:)
[ not like itsa nuclear secret or sumthn]:)

[Aussie_Paul]

Hey Paul,
Those have to be the worst (ie MOST bum-numbing seats on the planet!) :lol: from what I can see... I expect you'll be covering them in bum-friendly stuff? (Post #3)

Duncan

Absolutely Duncan. I got a phone call today to say I can pick then seat covers up tomorrow.

After a couple of thousand hours in Raf seats I have gone to a lot of trouble to have the seats as ergonomically correct as I can.

Aussie Paul. :)

[quadrirotor]

The next evolution will be to have external tank! not to be cooked in case of crash...(or at least to have a small chance!!!)

[Aussie_Paul]

Duncan, if im not mistaken, they are a couple of Gerrys 40l tanks, and from experiance, they are the best shape seat bar nun.[ witha bita paddn of course;)]
I can sit in mine for 12 hours in a day and still feel like my age should have me feeln.
Im plan'n on do'n the same with the wasa, coz me legs are asleep on that f^$# RAF seat inside 2 hours.

And PB, i'm not be'n a smartass, i'm tryn to figure how you'v mobified the rosco nose wheel, coz ..................... i'd like to know.:)
[ not like itsa nuclear secret or sumthn]:)


I have already explained it Birdy. Need to know basis. You don't need to know!!!:lol: :lol:

Aussie Paul. :)

[SamL]

Looking realy good there Paul.
Will it be available in Moderator Green ?????? :drama:

SamL

[Aussie_Paul]

Looking realy good there Paul.
Will it be available in Moderator Green ?????? :drama:

SamL

As soon as you pay the deposit!!!!!!

Aussie Paul. :)

[John_wilkinson]

:violin: Paul if you didnt spend so mutch time here on the computer and more time working on the no1 gyro then we would be flying it by now.
You will not have any time to be on the computer over here when we are putting the final finish on things:focus:

[Aussie_Paul]

:violin: Paul if you didnt spend so mutch time here on the computer and more time working on the no1 gyro then we would be flying it by now.
You will not have any time to be on the computer over here when we are putting the final finish on things:focus:

Unfortunately a lot of my business has to be done on the computer. Daily enquiries and the running of the Firebird business do take some time, and a quick post or two, on the pc. :):):)

Looking forward to it John. Just make sure that the soft start and the electric trims are ready.

I am arriving Christchurch at 11.05 pm on the 14th November, and Harry will pick me up and I will stay the night with him. Neil will probably pick me up Wed morning and we will drive to Nelson to continue Neils training while the container is on the water. The container arrives Nelson around the 20th. Then it will be all hands on deck to mount, plumb, and wire the engine redrive that you have mated together. getting bloody exciting now mate. :)

Aussie Paul. :)

[Aussie_Paul]

A small amopunt of progress on FB today but quite a bit on Hybrid.

My helpers sitting there going vroom vroom vroom!!!! :cheers:

I have plenty of stuff I can do on my own over the weekend now.

Aussie Paul. :wave:

[dragonflyerthom]

PB

Who is doing your windshields and doors?

Thom

[Aussie_Paul]

PB

Who is doing your windshields and doors?

Thom

A local firm Thom.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Udi]

I hope you are going to have a VERY big stab on the back, Paul. You need that to compensate for the aerodynamic effects of this very nice and large cabin.

Udi

[rtfm]

Hi,
Udi - gosh, just as well you called Paul's attention to this. Not sure he would ever have considered it. :noidea:

More to the point, Paul... Are you not a little concerned about the red colour getting too hot? Red is at the upper end of the scale when it comes to heat retention. For example, parked in 30 deg C (86 F) Aussie heat, your red frame is going to get as hot as 88 deg C (190 F). Will the composite stand up to this? By contrast, a white fuselage on the same day would only be 57 deg C (135 F)

Regards,
Duncan

[raghu]

Hi,
For example, parked in 30 deg C (86 F) Aussie heat, your red frame is going to get as hot as 88 deg C (190 F). Will the composite stand up to this? By contrast, a white fuselage on the same day would only be 57 deg C (135 F)

Regards,
Duncan

Duncan, I don't think Paul's composite frame is structural. It is just a fairing. The loads are carried by the underlying aluminum structure (keel) much like the RAF/sparrow Hawk. So he should not have a problem.

[Aussie_Paul]

Hi,
Udi - gosh, just as well you called Paul's attention to this. Not sure he would ever have considered it. :noidea:

More to the point, Paul... Are you not a little concerned about the red colour getting too hot? Red is at the upper end of the scale when it comes to heat retention. For example, parked in 30 deg C (86 F) Aussie heat, your red frame is going to get as hot as 88 deg C (190 F). Will the composite stand up to this? By contrast, a white fuselage on the same day would only be 57 deg C (135 F)

Regards,
Duncan

Duncan you are trying to fix problems that don't exist. :) :)

Udi, plenty of tail areas.

Raghu, correct.

Aussie Paul. :)

[rtfm]

Hi,
OK

Duncan

[Aussie_Paul]

Somepics after todays work.

Aussie Paul.

[rgraffeo]

Paul,
Looks like you are using push/pull cables to the rotorhead?

[Aussie_Paul]

Paul,
Looks like you are using push/pull cables to the rotorhead?

That is correct Rudy. Two for both pitch and roll axis. A redundant system.

IMHO the single cable for both pitch and roll has been used in enough gyros now for the consumer to be confortable with it.

Aussie Paul. :)

[OzyRuss]

Spot on there paul............we bin using them for years now on ski boats, fishing boats etc etc...all with HUGE horsepowers, salt water enviroment......
never ever, had a problem..........they are bullit proof, and so damn user friendly to install / maintain

BTW......the chook is lookin good........

[Aussie_Paul]

Almost a calamity. A power point with an auto timer to turn the hot water service on for 10 mins each morning at 8.00 o'clock, melted down onto the sink!!! The leakage protector shut everything down and the old timber did not catch fire.

I am extremely thankful that I did not lose everything. The good Lord was again shining on me on Sunday.

[StanFoster]

Paul: That would have really added meaning to your gyros name... "Firebird:flame:

Ouch...that was close. Glad it was just isolated.

Your Firebird is really looking nice.


Stan

[Aussie_Paul]

Paul: That would have really added meaning to your gyros name... "Firebird:flame:

Ouch...that was close. Glad it was just isolated.

Your Firebird is really looking nice.


Stan

Thanks Stan. Progress unfortunately has been a little sloww the last few days with people calling in, phone calls and a couple of hiccups in my memory!! :):)

I am about to leave home and pick up the painted tail feathers stabs wheel spats and the instrument pod, so that should perk me up for the day!!

Aussie Paul. :)

[Aussie_Paul]

Our ASRA Gyro News magazine is getting better and better thanks to Art the editor.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Hognose]

Wow. Nice colour in the mag. Love the cover shot ofthe MT-03 (and that royal blue's a nice colour on it, too).

Maybe I ought to join the ASRA, if y'all let "septics" in. (As our Oz-SAS liaison officer missed no chance to call us).

cheers

-=K=-

[Aussie_Paul]

Wow. Nice colour in the mag. Love the cover shot ofthe MT-03 (and that royal blue's a nice colour on it, too).

Maybe I ought to join the ASRA, if y'all let "septics" in. (As our Oz-SAS liaison officer missed no chance to call us).

cheers

-=K=-

Great Kevin. Come on in. The documentatiion is availible @ www.asra.org.au under documentation.

Aussie Paul. :)