Help me find, 2 person Rotorblades and Rotorhead

[GyroJamie]

I am looking for a set of two person rotorblades and a heavy duty rotor head. If anyone can help I would appreciate it greatly. I have been working on my homebuilt gyro from the age of 14, now I am 22. I recently graduated college with electrical engineering which took up my time for the past 6 years. Now I am ready to finsh it! Please help.

Thank you for your help.

- jamie

[Chuck Irby]

Jamie, welcome to the forum. Please give us a little more info as to where you reside. I too reside in Laurel. If it's the same Laurel, then maybe I can help you.

[GyroJamie]

I am from Laurel NY. I will be at Oshkosh next week. If anyone that has these parts is going to be there let me know.

[Chuck Roberg]

Jamie, I have a 2-place double bearing rotorhead (used) for sale.

[GyroJamie]

O that sounds like what I am looking for. How many hours are on the rotorhead? Do you have an email address that I could write to? I would also like to see some pictures. Let me know.

Thanks a bunch.

[GyroJamie]

Here are some pictures of what I did so far. It took about 1.5 years when I was 15, and 16 years old. It is made entirely from scrap metal. My mom wouldn't let me ride my bike, so why not fly to my friends house. haha. :)

[GyroJamie]

more pictures...

[Chuck Irby]

Jamie, I can tell that you've put a lot of work into this project. Whose plans were you using?

[Chuck Roberg]

Jamie, I'll have to dig around the hangar to find the rotorhead and take some pix of it. The rotorhead is off a 2-place SnoBird gyro. Less than 150 hrs on the rotorhead.

My email is gyrochuck(at)yahoo.com replace the (at) with @

[GyroJamie]

I didn't use anyone's plans, just watched the Rotor Wing Sports TV show. I based the design off of the pictures of an RAF2000. Little did we know that this design is not the best one to use. When I started this project there was virtually no information on gyros on the internet. I have read a lot about the dynamics of a gyro, but if you have any constructive criticism please respond. I could use the help of professionals. Thank you.

[GyroRon]

No offense cause I know there is alot of work in that machine. But I would not fly something made of scrap! Is the scrap even aircraft grade scrap???

And that little engine isn't going to fly two people. Probably not even just one. I say put on a prop, cage the prop like on a airboat and just make a cool looking go cart to drive around the neighborhood. That thing will likely never fly. Sorry

[Chuck Irby]

Jamie, I am far from a professional, but I do have a few hours in my gyro. I can tell that you have put many hours into that project and I hate to say this, as I certainly do not want to hurt your feelings, but since you asked, I would start over with a good set of plans of the machine you like best, and salvage whatever you can from the one you've been building.

Get other opinions, please. Is there anyone close to you that could advise you?

PS, I was writing this when Ron posted the one above.

[bogman]

Ron it sure is good to know that we can count on you to call it like you see it. :D

I'm sure anyone that has seen "it" thought the same thing.

It would make a great go-kart though.

[GyroRon]

Miles, you must know I am holding back big time! I am surprised no one else said anything sooner.

[GyroRon]

GyroJamie you got skills my friend, get a set of plans or a established kit and you will be flying soon. I do know someone in the florida keys though that could likely get this gyro flying....

[ToddP]

Jamie,

I am very impressed by your fabrication skills. Obviously you've got the ability to build anything you want. I don't want to crush your dream, but I think you would be best off keeping this machine on the ground and building an established design from plans. I would recommend either a gyrobee or a dominator.

I hope you don't take our concern for your well being the wrong way. Our primary goal here on the forum is to help everyone out and get them flying as safely as possible. You're obviously very talented so building an established design with "aircraft quality" materials should be very easy for you.

Good Luck

[Chuck Irby]

Jamie, I totally agree with what Todd stated above, especially that you are a very talented builder.

Well put, Todd. Wish I'd thought to say that myself.

[GyroJamie]

I thank you guys for your comments. I talked about making it into an ice boat actually. However, I always figured if it weighs too much to get off the ground then I could put it back to scrap. The main worry is not that it will fall apart but rather it was built to strong and to heavy.
I would appreciate it if you could let me know how to get in contact with the guy you know in the Florida Keys. I have put some money into this one and I don't have much money for buying a new one.

[GyroRon]

I was making a joke about the guy in the keys. There is a guy there who builds and flys gyros, but I don't think even he could see this project getting in the air. Maybe with a bigger engine and more work it could fly but if it isn't made out of aircraft grade metal then it is too dangerous to attempt to fly it period.

[Chuck Irby]

Jamie, don't let any of our posts get you down. You did a good job on that machine with what you had to work with. We just don't want you to get hurt, or worse. Have you been up in a gyro yet? If not, I think you should arrange to go up with an instructor and then decide which dirrection you want to go.

[Chuck Irby]

Hey Jamie, something about you reminds me of John Stevens. Are you related to him by chance? :D

[Screw]

Screw-In

Trust me Chuck, This Aint me. As a matter of fact, this thread does sound like a prank, however, it aint me.

If it isn't a prank, sorry GyroJamie. No offense.

I see Ron got to you before I could, and that's good.

Screw-Out

[MikeBoyette]

Ron,
Someone in the Key's that's funny. It does look like something Jim would build. I think Jim would have an EJ-25 on it though.

[GyroRon]

At this past Bensen Days I asked Jim to stand next to his gyro so I could take a pic of him and his machine and he made a comment about me picking on him for his workmanship. I am just picking, not real serious about Jims stuff. It may look pretty bad, but it does fly and he is not just a around the pattern guy either, he will go places with his machines.

Here is a pic of Jim and his junkyard wars gyro.

[Brian Jackson]

Jamie,
After 6 years I can understand the sentimentality you have for the machine. I'm a new builder myself. But in the process of learning all I can about gyros, I wouldn't trust my life to an unproven, uninformed, baseless design made entirely of scrap metal. It takes a long time to develop a new design because so many variables have to be factored in... many more than I could even begin to contemplate. For what it would cost you to finish that (fatal) machine, you could build a GyroBee with a proven safety record. But I don't think any reputable rotorhead manufacturer could sell you a head for that machine with good conscience. They may as well sell you a coffin to go with it. But that's just my opinion.

Please learn all you can about gyros before risking your life in a design based on photos and memory. Chuck Irby's recommendation to go up with an instructor first is sound advice. I joined the PRA and am learning from other builders and pilots. There's a wealth of good information out there if you're willing to learn. I admit that I don't know squat about gyros compared to those who have been building and flying them for years. That's why I ask so many questions. Ignorance may be bliss, but education gives peace of mind. Thanks.

Regards,
Brian Jackson

[Whirlydog]

GyroJamie, I would have to agree with the others about ever trying to fly that thing, but don't dispare the time and money you have put into it has not been wasted. Think of all the skills and knowledge you gained building it.

I also think your work is a real piece of art. I would hang onto it, like a museum piece. In years to come it will become a real conversation peice, and something you will look back on with the same amount of pride you currently have for it. The last thing I would do is take it to the junk yard. If you ever HAVE to get rid of it, you could put it on EBAY as a piece of "aviation sculpture". Who knows, you might get enough for it to start building (for lack of a better word)a real gyro.

Welcome to the forum and may you have many years of flying. I just wish I had developed as strong an interest in flying at your age.

Shawn