I Flew My Gyro!!!

[barnstorm2]

After many many months, and so many $ I can't bring myself to count reciepts it has finally happened.

MY GYRO FLEW!

I can't describe the feeling I had as my instructor taxied to the end of the runway and...

my baby... :eek:

my morgauge and payment for the next serveral years... :eek: :eek:

my hours and hours of time :eek: :eek: :eek:

Broke ground and climed into the sky! :D

After the first flights he had a list of trims and adjustments to make. Then a few hours later I got to fly with my instructor and fly it myself over the runway.

It was great to actually do it after X-billion times imagining it!

[Chuck Irby]

Looking great Tim. Congratulations!

[Mike Hook]

Way to gooooooooooooooo Tim. Your gyro looks great.

Mike

[Chuck Roberg]

How are the engine temps?

Glad to see it in the air. :)

[barnstorm2]

Thanks guys!

Chuck,

Temps are GREAT. Since I added the aux. heat exchanger she has never been above 200F. She does take a good while to warm up though :D

[Kevin_Richey]

Thanks for the great photo, Tim!

I'll bet you'll never forget what it was like!!

[Harry_S.]

It's great, it feels so good. Congratulations!!!

[ToddP]

Tim,

It looks great. What a feeling to see something you built fly the first time.

Congrats.

[Screw]

Screw-In

Go Baby, Go! Looks great, Have fun with it.

Screw-Out

[barnstorm2]

Todd, Harry, Screw, Thanks!

Kevin,

I keep replaying it in my mind. I can't wait to get the trim issues sorted out (other thread). I have what seems like 100hrs of imaginary flying time in it but now that has all changed :D

I don't see how I could have pulled it out without help from my gyro pilot friends and instructor. I don't know if you know the machines history but it was an unfinished kit that I bought and found out later had also been damaged. The craft was rebuilt from the ground up with only a few parts from the original kit. The wheels, keel, blades, pod and 1/2 of the instruments are the only major parts I did not replace. I did not keep the old engine but I did keep the redrive and had it rebuilt.

Without the help of Rodney, DocJon and the other PRA chapter members I would have lost my mind*, given up or both. ( *there is some speculation that this was lost to begin with)

Having an instructor that is willing to test fly your machine and tell you what to trim and fix is not only invalueable but a literal lifesaver.

He took me for a ride in it and on the second takeoff as we went down the mile and a half runway he said 'you have it' and it all came together. If I would have had a free hand I would have pinched myself to make sure it was finally real! The end of the flight came much too quickly.

I can't wait to get it properly trimmed for two people and to get ready for solo!

[skyflea73]

Looks Great! There is no feeling like the first time you solo. I know exactly what you are talking about when you said you need to pinch yourself to see if your really flying. Looks like you will be having a great summer. Wish you nothing but the best of flying weather and many happy hours in the sky!

Congratulations,
Darren Twellman

[StanFoster]

Tim: Way to go.....that is a nice looking gyro...good job. Have fun flying.

Stan

[Screw]

Screw-in

How did the gum thing work out? I assume it goes bad overnight, but if not, I wont waste it. :D

Screw-Out

[barnstorm2]

Screw,

I am still working out the induced drag of Bubbleicious vrs Wrigleys. :D

[barnstorm2]

Thanks Stan!

Thanks Darren! I don't think it will be as nerve wrenching as my first solo in my single place was.

But I think I have a mental dis-advantage. My single place came pre-built and has less than 1/3 of the $$ in it. I was not worried about denting it. Now, I am so worried about banging up the craft I hope I don't second guess myself and make a mistake!

I have about 80+ hours of flight time now but this side-by-side flys so differn't It is almost like starting over again!

[GyroRon]

Be careful and have fun. Did it feel to have plenty of power with the two of you in it?

[barnstorm2]

Ron,

Yes, she had power, we were crusing at 60mph down the runway with two heavy pilots, full gas in all 4 tanks.

I am sure the power will show up even more when I have the nose-down issue resolved. At the nose-down attitude it is wasting lots of power pushing down and working against me.

I'll bet it will be less of a 'handful' at slow speed once I get it all 'trimmed out'.

[GyroRon]

Cruise speed is not important. Rate of climb in a gyro is the true test of power. How did she climb?

[barnstorm2]

Ron,

Unknown. We only did low flights over the runway as she still has some trim issues to work out. Hopefully, this Sunday or the next I will be able to tell you.

[GyroRon]

Ok. I am just curious as some machines are great with the EJ-22 and others are dogs. The RAF-2000 does really good with that engine package....

[Chuck Irby]

I would bet bucks that Tim's machine will out perform a RAF with the same HP.

[StanFoster]

Chuck: Even though I am very satisfied with my EJ22 in my RAF..I have to completely agree with you that a CLT machine has to be more efficient...dont see how it could not be....

I have my stab putting down force which naturally makes the gyro feel heavier to the rotor. This trade off is well worth it for making my RAF a very nice machine for me to fly.

Stan

[Chuck Irby]

Stan, I was thinking primarily about the difference in the weight between the two machines. Did you see the pics I posted from yesterdays flying?

[GyroRon]

Chuck I bet there is little weight difference between Tims Aircommand and Stans RAF. On my old RFI-150 - now yours - It would require nearly 5000 RPM to fly two heavy people and would take all she had to climb out on a hot day. I have only been in two RAFS but both were stock and the last one I rode in had my FAT butt in it plus another fat butt as in the pilot and it still climbed like a homesick angel. Cruised effortlessly at 4500 rpm. The RFI had 30 more hp and a four bladed prop....

[Chuck Irby]

Well, I guess that just shows to go you, huh? I figured there'd be 100 or more pounds difference.

[StanFoster]

I dont have a VSI in my RAF,,but I have been taking my 270 pound son along several times. It takes about 4500 rpm to maintain altitude. My worst condtion was him on board with my 220 pound self, and full fuel...plus 85 degrees and humid. I wanted to see the worst case scenario that I would ever attempt. It flew fine...but the climb rate was not good....but just reread what I was hauling...and it was no surprise. 490 pounds of pilot/passenger.....22 gallons of fuel.....and a high density altitude.

Stan

[StanFoster]

I meant to add this to my last post....My son just loves flying in my RAF..and I am considering this winter when I am doing the annual...converting it to fuel injection. I am told it will gain 10 horses....burn about a gallon less an hour....burn 87 instead of 93.....and no carb ice. A win...win..win..win.. situation with the exception of the outlay to convert it. Now that I have a machine that I will be flying a lot...and doing so 12 months a year...the fuel savings along will pay for the fuel injection quickly. :D

Stan

[Aussie_Paul]

Stan you said, I have my stab putting down force which naturally makes the gyro feel heavier to the rotor. This trade off is well worth it for making my RAF a very nice machine for me to fly.

Stan if it is not your stab opposing the PPO of the high thrust line then it will have to be the rotor. In the Raf case it is a combination of both as all the stabs availible for a Raf cannot do it on their own, unless there is a stab out there for a Raf that is the size of two kitchen tables, that I have not seen. :eek:

Aussie Paul.

[Bob Simmons]

wow! I know the feeling Tim. Congratulations!!!

[jawbrey]

gyro looks great good work enjoy many hours of safe flight james awbrey

[barnstorm2]

Thanks Bob and Jawbrey!