New pod idea? [Archive] - Rotary Wing Forum

JoelDuval

08-01-2007, 09:19 PM

Has anybody other than I thought of seeing if a Sportcopter Vortex's full pod would work on a dominator?

My issue is.....will it work?
See... I like the Dom the best for its features and stability, but love the idea and the ideas of a full pod with roof.
Any feedback on the subject?

ezeddie

08-02-2007, 12:22 AM

Have you seen the videos of Jim Vanek doing his loops and barrel rolls in a "hot" Sport Copter? out of this world, not for the average "Joe" to do. But, he flys that machine like no one else. As for buying parts from other machines and doing reto fits, it's not recomended. Just leave the design work to the air engineers and enjoy your bird as designed and built.

MikeBoyette

08-02-2007, 03:55 AM

Mike Hook

08-02-2007, 04:03 AM

Talked to you dad yesterday Mike and he said maybe by Bensen Day next year. Sounds like a great idea. Lookin forward to it.

Mike

I fAILED TO MENTION THAT IS IS GOING TO BE A SINGLE PLACE

Rotornut

08-02-2007, 04:59 AM

Enclosed Dominator Please.... MJ

MikeBoyette

08-03-2007, 07:28 AM

Talked to you dad yesterday Mike and he said maybe by Bensen Day next year. Sounds like a great idea. Lookin forward to it.

Mike

I fAILED TO MENTION THAT IS IS GOING TO BE A SINGLE PLACE

Mike,
Yes, the first is going to a single. He also has a two place in the works.

Heron

08-03-2007, 08:11 AM

It's a good thing!
Now if we only could get those plans for the tandem . . . :)
Heron

MikeBoyette

08-03-2007, 08:56 AM

It's a good thing!
Now if we only could get those plans for the tandem . . . :)
Heron

Heron,
I've told you and he has told you he will not ever be selling plans for the two place. This is due to the fact that if a customer builds a single from plans and does crappy work then he only kills himself. You sell two place plans to that same person and he kills an innocent because of his crappy work. Ain't gonna happen.

Doug Riley

08-03-2007, 09:09 AM

Adding a large pod to a pusher gyro requires very close attention to stability issues. Ernie is well-qualified for that task and will do it right. Many, many others have not done it right and have built machines that are uncontrollable in pitch, yaw or roll in certain flight regimes.

These problems often will surface (if they are going to at all) either when airspeed is high and thorottle setting is low, or in uncoordinated flight. Even the FAA-certified Air & Space 18A has its "issues" in this regard, to say nothing of many homebuilts and kit gyros.

Heron

08-03-2007, 12:00 PM

Yes MIke, I know that, pitty that one of the best doubles does not have plans, but still is available RTF from Ernie.
Heron

JoelDuval

08-11-2007, 06:54 PM

Now when, and if Ernie puts this pod on the market, will it fit any of the dom single series, or is he thinking of a whole new ship?

MikeBoyette

08-12-2007, 02:12 PM

Now when, and if Ernie puts this pod on the market, will it fit any of the dom single series, or is he thinking of a whole new ship?

Last time I talked to him he was going to make so it retrofit any Dominator that is built to current factory specs.

GyroRon

08-12-2007, 06:27 PM

Mike, please ask your dad to find someone who knows how to work with Carbon Fiber to make the cabins, or just anyone other than the boat builder who is making them now.... Light weight rules!

MikeBoyette

08-13-2007, 11:38 AM

Mike, please ask your dad to find someone who knows how to work with Carbon Fiber to make the cabins, or just anyone other than the boat builder who is making them now.... Light weight rules!

Ron,
I may be misinformed, however I am pretty sure it is being done by someone who builds plastic airplanes. This is not being done by a my father or the same person that does his pods. Should be light and fully enclosed.

MikeBoyette

08-14-2007, 11:38 AM

Mike, please ask your dad to find someone who knows how to work with Carbon Fiber to make the cabins, or just anyone other than the boat builder who is making them now.... Light weight rules!
Hey Ron,
We both know you complained about the $475.00 price you had to pay for the body you bought at Bensen Days. Now imagine that same body in Carbon Fiber. The price would at least double. Light weight rules but, it costs. Now after jabbin ya. He is calling the fabricator to find out the progress right now.

Brent_Brown

08-15-2007, 05:19 AM

Hand laid Glass and vacuumed cure is the way to do it for the best product. S glass is the best glass. Carbon high price and not needed.

MikeBoyette

08-15-2007, 05:51 AM

Hand laid Glass and vacuumed cure is the way to do it for the best product. S glass is the best glass. Cobon high price and not needed.

I am pretty sure this will be the method used. The person that is doing this is a professional composite man. I am sure carbon will not be used.

GyroRon

08-15-2007, 11:06 AM

Hey Ron,
We both know you complained about the $475.00 price you had to pay for the body you bought at Bensen Days. Now imagine that same body in Carbon Fiber. The price would at least double. Light weight rules but, it costs. Now after jabbin ya. He is calling the fabricator to find out the progress right now.

I didn't buy one at Bensen Days Mikey..... So there was nothing to complain about.

At this point I don't complain about your dads prices being too high, just that his prices seem to change - always up, never down! - almost daily.

I try to help him sell machines by refering people to buy Ultrawhites, but each time I do I can not be sure of the price. It seems the price goes up 500-1000$ every 6 months.

Anyway, it would be cool if the fairing could be lighter, that is all..... It probably doesn't need to be nearly as thick as they are now.

MikeBoyette

08-15-2007, 07:05 PM

I didn't buy one at Bensen Days Mikey..... So there was nothing to complain about.

At this point I don't complain about your dads prices being too high, just that his prices seem to change - always up, never down! - almost daily.

I try to help him sell machines by refering people to buy Ultrawhites, but each time I do I can not be sure of the price. It seems the price goes up 500-1000$ every 6 months.

Anyway, it would be cool if the fairing could be lighter, that is all..... It probably doesn't need to be nearly as thick as they are now.

Just yankin your friggin chain. I see from the Mentone pictures you got a t-shirt.

I haven't talked to him since he called the fabricator. I will find out what the progress is, if any.

Brent_Brown

08-15-2007, 07:08 PM

Mike post some photos of it.

MikeBoyette

08-16-2007, 03:17 AM

Mike post some photos of it.

not available yet!!!!

Timchick

08-16-2007, 05:17 AM

It's probably suppose to be top secret and Mike slipped up and let it out of the bag.

MikeBoyette

08-16-2007, 12:21 PM

Tim,
The secret is not that there is one in the works. The secret is what it will look like. It's so secret I have no idea what it will look like.

BUD ONEAL

08-16-2007, 03:48 PM

Tim,
I could tell but I'd have to kill you afterward!!

{ Top seceret}

JoelDuval

08-20-2007, 10:37 AM

Well i see it like this. Who ever makes the pod, and what ever method is used, you dont like it and want it lighter you could just buy one and make it into a mold and hand lay your own carbon and kevlar version for yourself. But I feel he knows what he is doin and it will do well. I cant wait to see what it will come to look like.

Ron E

08-20-2007, 04:33 PM

Though I have NO inside info on the new enclosed pod........,

I speculate it will look a lot like the standard Dominator pod on the front end with the floor extended rearward and a roof structure with an integral laterally-curved wind screen set fairly close to the pilot.The nose will not protrude quite as far forward as on the standard pod.

The enclosure will be constructed of multiple components for easier shipping, to be securely joined together when installed on the Dominator. Doors will be optional, I further speculate.

It's got to look cool and be safe too or he won't build it. !!

We all will have to just wait and see.

GyroRon

08-20-2007, 05:29 PM

I think I know what it will look like - I think I have " Inside Info " - and from what I know, it will look NOTHING like the pod Ernie sells now.

The pod may look like a " Cabin " used on another aircraft... Anyone want to take a guess on what aircraft I am talking about????

Ron E

08-20-2007, 06:05 PM

The pod may look like a " Cabin " used on another aircraft... Anyone want to take a guess on what aircraft I am talking about????

I was under the impression Ernie passed on the Mosquito helicopter pod/cabin look. Maybe not. I would like that one too.

Timchick

08-20-2007, 06:12 PM

I'd say more like a SC. I predict the constuction will be such that it will shield the pilot from the wind. It will be constructed in a way to allow the average builder to mount it on a gyro.

GyroRon

08-20-2007, 06:30 PM

I don't want to say much till Ernie or Mikey has said it is okay to talk about it. Just heard some rumors from someone who should know what is going on in Ernies workshop....

Brent_Brown

08-21-2007, 05:21 AM

Mosquito body would be cool.

MikeBoyette

08-21-2007, 07:17 AM

The Mosquito is out. It's something totally new.

GyroRon

08-21-2007, 04:09 PM

The Mosquito is out. It's something totally new.

Guess my source is out of the Loop too then, cause that is what I heard, it would be simular to the heli body, with the engine being enclosed.

Brent_Brown

08-22-2007, 05:08 AM

mini 500 would be better.?

Kevin_Richey

08-22-2007, 07:00 AM

A complete ball, similar to a Bell 47 enclosure, that is divided in half by the mast, covering both the pilot and engine...

No large pod out front to make the ship swap ends with the tail.

Heated by the engine for winter flying.

MikeBoyette

08-22-2007, 09:29 AM

Ron,
That was the orginal plan however, that project was abandoned. It is now being done by a professional plastic airplane builder. His experience is in building planes simular to the new class of sport planes coming out of Europe. This will be a profesional design, Hopefully I will get to see pictures soon.

ezeddie

08-22-2007, 01:54 PM

,
That was the orginal plan however, that project was abandoned. It is now being done by a professional plastic airplane builder. His experience is in building planes simular to the new class of sport planes coming out of Europe. This will be a profesional design, Hopefully I will get to see pictures soon.

Mike,
When you talk to Dad tell him the Boeing Plant here in Spokane that has been building airplant interior lay-up panels for several years has been sold to an independant Triumph Composite Sys., Inc. They are making several products for Boeing and others using both glass and carbon fiber. If either of you is interested I'd be happy to get additional info if you want to discuss a quote with them. Let me know...........

MikeBoyette

08-22-2007, 02:10 PM

Mike,
When you talk to Dad tell him the Boeing Plant here in Spokane that has been building airplant interior lay-up panels for several years has been sold to an independant Triumph Composite Sys., Inc. They are making several products for Boeing and others using both glass and carbon fiber. If either of you is interested I'd be happy to get additional info if you want to discuss a quote with them. Let me know...........

I will pass it on. I saw the pictures of the prototype being built today. Not much to see just foam and wood. I imagine that thay are just building the plug for a mold. The layout is unlike anything ever seen out of RFD. Dad is letting the pro do what he does. It is being fitted to a standard Dominator airframe. The only difference is the seat tank will be replace. The fuel tank will be part of the body. No pictures yet.