"DaScrew-Driver"

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I think I'm about finished with "DaScrew-Driver." I completed the Communications center for it today.

It is funny how the stages of building change when building a kit.

1. Buy kit.
2. When you build a kit, you can't wait to get done.
3. Then, I'll finish later, let just get it flying.
4. Now it's flying lets change this and that.

It just seems to me that when your building a kit, your never ever finished. I just thought that was funny and wanted to share.

I also thought I'd post some pics from start to finish, but since your never really finished we'll just go to date.

Bought the Ken Brock KB-2 kit complete with engine in May of 2003 and started building. First Modification right off the bat was a Ron Herron "T" Tail. Here is a couple of shot of me next to my newly completed kit with Brock Blades and a homemade wooden instrument pod.

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"DaScrew-Driver" was overheating badly and I had to replace the stock equiptment with aftermarket (More Money) stuff like the Oil Cooler.

I went to a 12x12 1/2 hose oil cooler. Switched oil from 30 wieght to Mobile One Synthetic, car gas to 100LL Avgas. Chunked the stock 22ft Brock Blades for a set of 23ft Dragon Wings.

Whole Differant Machine now! She wants to fly, she flys cool and and a joy.

Here is a shot of the first flight with Dragon Wings.

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Well, The nest thing you know, the wooden instrument pod isn't holding up as well as I had hoped, so, lets replace it. Thanks to Scott Essex and a few other, "DaScrew-Driver" has some attitude.

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Now I've really been enjoying flying "DaScrew-Driver" at SX Days and just around, but I'm getting tired of my radio being strapped to my leg. In the last picture here you can see where Scott added a peice of Hydralic tubing so that I could mount my GPS.

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Sorry, Here is the pod on the machine and finally, the communications center I completed today. I just have to mount this to the hydralic tubing.

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Well that current for now. The only other things I can think of is maybe mounting an external antenna, but I'm gonna try it like this for now.

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[scottessex]

That looks good! Now all you need is some machinegun pods!

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The new "Communications and Navigation Station" (CNS) is mounted on "DaScrew-Driver." Tested it out as I flew to Snellville and back. Had a blast. Still have alot of Radio noise and according to my hanger buddy, "Pretty bad humm when transmitting whether the engine is on or off?"

New problem to work out is all, but what's new about that?

Also, Here are some updated shots.

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[ben]

john,
when you take off in the dascrew-driver do you get much yaw with that small tail ??? thanks ben

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I'm not sure what your asking Ben. :( I have a bit of engine torque to deal with, but that has nothing to do with tall or short tail. :cool:

I guess I'd come off the ground sideways if I let it. :D Don't think a tall tail would prevent that iether. :(

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[Jonvee]

John you would be surprised what a tall tail would do. The machine will fly like an arrow. If you have rigged your machine per Bensen instructions you probably have noticed that one rudder cable is longer than the other so your pedals are even and the tail is offset to the side. This helps counter the yaw caused by the prop. It also adds a fair amount of drag as you try to fly straight. My tall tail has both cables the same length. The rudder is straight with the keel. Less drag an more power available for climb. The larger the engine the more severe the yaw.

[GyroRon]

I flew the screwdriver a few times at SX days fly in last month. It surprised me as far as the lack of much rudder input needed during takeoff and landings. It is not quite as solid as a tall tail, but it did dam good IMHO!

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Jonvee, I did set up the tail @ 11 degrees left rudder per Brock plans to compensate for the torgue, and now that you mention it, when I flew Ron's Dominator, I don't remember being as heavy on the pedals.

Ron, Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you know I look forward to flying your Dominator again at Roc. Of Course, the Keys to "DaScrew-Driver" are always in your pocket. :D

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[GyroRon]

Not a problem. I can't wait either. ROC won't have you climbing out behind the powercurve into a row of trees! Glad you picked up on that and recoved before you got into trouble.

[GyroRon]

And look, how many times do I have to invite you to come over here for a weekend? Why wait till ROC? You can just come here minus your gyro, fly mine and we can go Piper Pacering too.

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I know, I know, just haven't had a chance to do much of anything lately.

Getting back to the subject thought, I noticed that the tall tails have a built in twist in the horizontal. Is that compensating for torque as well as "P" factor?

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[GyroRon]

no most tall tails don't have this twist. Mine does cause whoever Ernie has drilling the holes to attach the fins did not take the time to get everything in the jig properly.

[GyroRon]

you can't be that busy! Come for a visit!!! It is not that far away John. I predict your Dodge can make it here. You do have AAA right?

[MikeBoyette]

Ron,
That is doubtful since all tails are shipped without the wings attached. That is why they are made that way. If you ship a tall tail with the wings attached it is more than twice what it is with them not attached. Back when dad had not choice but to ship them that way. I remember one costing over $400.00 to ship.

[GyroRon]

My tail was already put together when I bought my kit from the former owner. It was my understanding that your dad has the tails built and the horizontal stab built before shipping. As part of what he does, the horizontal stab is held in a jig and the holes are drilled to mount it to the rudder. Then once you get it shipped to you as the end user, you simply have to slide the stab halves on and throw in the supplied rivets in the factory drilled holes and your done. My tail was apparently not in the jig real good when the hole were drilled and the end result is looking at the trailing edge of the horizontal stab where it meets the trailing edge of the rudder, one of the stab halves is about a quarter of a inch higher than the other. I asked your dad about it and he said it was not a big deal. It isn't a big deal to me. I like my gyro!

[scottessex]

Going down in the trees, behind the power curve ain't no fun, ask me I'll tell ya.

[RHerron]

On the subject of tail effectiveness with regard to torque-cancelling and spiralling slipstream, remember that the LW tail on John's machine has a full-span horizontal section centered in the propwash. This acts as a flow-straightener in the same way as a full-span vertical surface would.

[GyroRon]

Ron H. I have flown several gyros with short tails. None could hold a candle to how nice Johns Herron T tail flew. If I didn't want a tall tail, I would have yours in a heartbeat!

[MikeBoyette]

Ron,
Mr. DeGraw is the one who builds the tails for now. I doubt Dad had anyone else do the work.

[GyroRon]

Well unless I am missing a step in the process or something, then Dick messed up drilling my holes!!!! I know I spoke with your dad about it when I was building the machine, and I am pretty sure he told me these holes were drilled at the factory. It isn't a big deal..... Ask your dad about it. Maybe I am wrong here.

[Kevin_Richey]

Say Ron:

Does your post about your tall tail mean that it wasn't built with a twist to counter-act torque on purpose? I was curious to hear more about it and see pictures if so and kept forgetting to ask you about this...

[GyroRon]

Say Ron:

Does your post about your tall tail mean that it wasn't built with a twist to counter-act torque on purpose? I was curious to hear more about it and see pictures if so and kept forgetting to ask you about this...

Yes as far as I know the tail was supposed to have been built straight. It is off by a quarter of a inch. It isn't a big deal.

[scottessex]

See what you started Ron!

Now everyone is going to want a tail with a twist in it!

[GyroRon]

I guess Scott. John Stevens brought it up.....

just my two cents, but twist in the horizontal is not needed to counter P factor when your using a tall tail with stab in middle of propwash like on a Dominator tail.