gwarwick
08-28-2007, 11:18 AM
I visited the Xenon factory in Poland on Monday
Ralph Celier and his colleagues could not have been more charming.
I, my son and an instructor friend (microlights three axis, trikes and hang gliders) travelled together.
There were over half a dozen machines in various stages of construction including one crated and ready for shipment to Australia.
I am not qualified to talk about mechanical details or design but the machines looked beautifully finished. It was quite clear how methodical and careful was the approach to each task.
All of us took a test flight with Ralph Celier, again without being a gyro pilot I can not compare the performance characteristics to that of other gyros. Ralph let me take the stick for a couple of circuits and the machine handled as smoothly as any three axis fixed wing. With power down it descended gracefully and in the climb it rose nimbly.
There was a little vibration in the stick but not much more than what I experienced the two or three times I have been allowed at the stick of a helicopter.
I am 6'3'' and my son 6'4'' we had no trouble getting in or out of the aircraft and it was truly comfortable to sit in. The door hinges might be a little vulnerable in high winds but Ralph is planning to fix this with a gas strut. The only fault I could find with the interior decoration was the seat adjustment mechanism - while its certainly quick to adjust and secure when belted in, there is a risk that when climbing in or out of jeans or jacket catching and pulling the seat out of it's position. I would prefer a split pin or the like to fix the seats more firmly. Slower to change but when only one pilot flies the machine then preferable to fiidling to put it back in place if accidentally moved.
My only regret is that the Xenon is yet to be certified by the UK CAA - Ralph assures me that he has the matter in hand. Having had a lot of dealings with a wide variety of government departments I realise that with the best will in the world getting permits can take a lot longer than planned. If and when certification comes through I am very tempted to buy one.
Ralph Celier and his colleagues could not have been more charming.
I, my son and an instructor friend (microlights three axis, trikes and hang gliders) travelled together.
There were over half a dozen machines in various stages of construction including one crated and ready for shipment to Australia.
I am not qualified to talk about mechanical details or design but the machines looked beautifully finished. It was quite clear how methodical and careful was the approach to each task.
All of us took a test flight with Ralph Celier, again without being a gyro pilot I can not compare the performance characteristics to that of other gyros. Ralph let me take the stick for a couple of circuits and the machine handled as smoothly as any three axis fixed wing. With power down it descended gracefully and in the climb it rose nimbly.
There was a little vibration in the stick but not much more than what I experienced the two or three times I have been allowed at the stick of a helicopter.
I am 6'3'' and my son 6'4'' we had no trouble getting in or out of the aircraft and it was truly comfortable to sit in. The door hinges might be a little vulnerable in high winds but Ralph is planning to fix this with a gas strut. The only fault I could find with the interior decoration was the seat adjustment mechanism - while its certainly quick to adjust and secure when belted in, there is a risk that when climbing in or out of jeans or jacket catching and pulling the seat out of it's position. I would prefer a split pin or the like to fix the seats more firmly. Slower to change but when only one pilot flies the machine then preferable to fiidling to put it back in place if accidentally moved.
My only regret is that the Xenon is yet to be certified by the UK CAA - Ralph assures me that he has the matter in hand. Having had a lot of dealings with a wide variety of government departments I realise that with the best will in the world getting permits can take a lot longer than planned. If and when certification comes through I am very tempted to buy one.