The Basics

[ToddP]

When I was setting up my gyro, there were some very basic issues which surprisingly it was difficult to find information on. For example, when I needed to do my hang test, I thought I'd just jump on Norm's forum and find countless posts on it. Not so, there was very little information and never a good step by step procedure for doing it. Next I thought I'd look at Abbot's books, "Understanding the Gyroplane" and "Gyroplane flight manual". Neither of these books had the information either. So I rechecked the dominator assembly manual...nothing. It seemed so basic, but no good outline.

So, would anyone like to submit their step by step procedure for doing a hang test. Also, maybe the procedure for doing a "double hang test".

I eventually plan on taking this information and building some web pages that will be accessible to users that cover gyro FAQ and gyro basics.

There are several different areas that come to mind:
1. Ultralight requirements
2. Steps for experimental certification
3. Pilot licensing requirements (what does it take to get rotorcraft rating / add on)
4. Working with aluminum, whats the best way to cut / drill / paint
5. Setting the pitch of your propeller
6. Why do rotors "autorotate"?
7. "Test Flight" program for your new gyro
8. Stringing Rotor Blades
9. Slinging Rotor Blades
10. Rotor head setup (18 degrees total fore / aft ) etc.

The list goes on and on, I'm sure our members can add more. The point is, there are lots of questions that some people are probably afraid to ask, so lets answer them now. Feel free to tackle any subject, we have an excellent base of knowledge here, lets share it with others.

Todd

[Udi]

This is an admirable project. To do it right, however, I think you would be wise to assign each subject to a specific person, who would be responsible for compiling info and writing a "chapter" in your book. These people will get feedback from the group and from, for the lack of a better term, some of the "gurus".

Good luck.

Udi

[ToddP]

Udi,

Great Idea! Do we have any volunteers. I don't care how well you write or type. If you can get your ideas down, we'll work on editing them until we have a good comprehensive how-to guide.

Another topic idea: Buying your first gyro - GyroRon, you want to tackle this one?

[GyroRon]

How do you want it written? And posted where?

I can do the buying part and the slinging rotorblades part.

Also the ultralight rules part, and i could try to give the hang test a shot. I will start on some of it now.

[ToddP]

Just create a new topic. I'm sure people will comment and we'll continue to work on a good copy that I'll eventually make into a web area of its own.

[le-wardy]

Todd, this is bizarre. I asked about the same thing, sort of, on Norm's forum 2 weeks ago. In respect to gyro design. Martin Hollman's book doesn't cut the mustard anymore.

Because I don't own a gyro, nor have I flown in one as yet. I am very much interested in them, still, after 15 years of reading about them. You were correct about info being hard to come by. With the advancements of communication networks nowadays, this shouldn't be the case. Shame really !! :-

I hope I can make a contribution to this, regardless of my inexperience.

[Screw]

Hey Todd,

I could do a chapter or two on buying retail and how it "Bites and sooths!"

There is a certain amount of comfort farming out specific work to experianced people.

I have found out, when farming out work, IMHO, the idea isn't trying to spend the least. The contracter usually considers it a favor, hasn't made any money, and the workmanship isn't what it is cracked up to be. Therefore, you kick yourself in the tail, and have the work done over spending more money the second time around only to find out you have spent twice as much as you needed trying to save money.

On the other hand, However, when you are willing to spend more to have an experianced contractor do the work, and pay them well for the work done, the workmanship is awesome, the contractor is very happy with the money made, and you are very proud and satisfied not only with the work done, but also for having done business with them. Insuring an unequalled level of confidence in your machine.

Fortunately, I haven't experianced the first part with gyros, but I have experianced this when buying broke cars knowing I have to fix them before I sell them and end up spending more money than I would have if I had bought a good running car to begin with.

The down side to buying retail, is you typically spend way more money than your bird is worth. I have a little better than 14k in my KB-2. I have seen them for sale with vaious times and differant motors for around 6k with trailer!

The only true life insurance is the money you are willing to spend for your own safety, especially since you never really know what someone elses gyro has/ or has not been through.

MHO

John-

[barnstorm2]

Paul Abbot's book "How to Licenese a Homebuilt Aircraft" does cover some of the topics posted. I own the book and it is very good.

John, I have sent out to have several of my 2-places parts made or rebuilt and almost without exception I have had problems and delays. Twice I have had people send me a wrongly made part and then come to find they lost the original I sent them!! I have been restoring old motorcycles for years and I have never had problems like this before. I guess it is just because we have such a small hobby and seemingly nothing is standardized even at the manufactuer.

[Screw]

That is a good point about our hobby being relatively eclusive. I am sorry you have had such bad experiances. I really haven't had any as of yet.

John-