Introduction

[Mike Hook]

Hello all

My name is Mike Hook and i have had a fire since I was young and now at 50 I have decided to make the step. I intend to build my own gyro from my own design taking the best of all that I have read about over the years. I know that you are all knowlegble builders and pilots. I have my first filight at Mentone and it was in a RAF AHHHHHHHHH and now after all I have read about HS glad I did not sign on a dotted line. I am looking forward to input from the forum as I ready myself for this endevor.I intend to build a two place enclosed gyro with a 85 plus hp engine. Please dont laugh to hard at my questions because I will ask some stupid ones to some but my intention is to build a quality gyo and seek proper training as should be.
Thank you for your time and hope to receive input.

P.S I think i have a pic of every gyro make and dl every print I could find to date.

Mike

[Screw]

Welcome aboard Mike,

Please look at the top center tool bar, click on profile and fill out accordingly.

Please describe the gyro design you have in mind to build.

Thanks,

John-

[Mike Hook]

heya John as it stands at this time as I work on my plans I am looking at a inline two place gyro with centerline thrust with large HS stab, need to do the calculations on hs when i get to that point as far as surface area.
Tosing back and forth as to do a welded frame, I have much welding experence and to go the bolted aluminum frame. I am still looking for a good design for a head, looking for input on single bearing as aposed to double bearing head. I have been looking at the Polish gyo and like the shape of it just think the thust line my need to be a little lower but then I am just learning.

Mike

[GyroRon]

Mike my advise is since your a newbie is to go with a established kit rather than try to design your own, at least at this point. You see you can get all the help and hand holding in the world but since it is a un proven design and machine, it is too much risk for a newbie gyro pilot. I think building a Kit gyro or plans built gyro will still be a rewarding experience if you got the itch to build.

Currently there is no real good enclosed tandem gyro kits on the market - Pushers that is. There are a few OK models but none are real good or IOW's there will be issues with all of them. some of those issues more serious than others.

There is one real dam nice tandem two place that has everything right and that is the Little wing tractor gyro.

Now side by side two place enclosed the Sparrowhawk is the best offering for the money. The Futura looks nice but a lot more money, And there is Paul Brutys Firebird - that maybe by the year 2050 will be finally on the market ;) - And the UFO which who knows what is up with that machine.... but top choice is SparrowHawk.

Now there are several real nice two place tandem machines that are mostly open such as the Dominator II and the Aircommand Elite tandem. These machines are both very safe and stable and a lot of fun, just a little breezy for the real cold days!


Hope this helps some.

[Screw]

Mike,

I agree with Ron, Start with an established kit. Most manufactures sell subkits or plans, and you can buy parts or subkits in the order of assembly over a period of time that you set so that the money drain is as painless as possible.

Trying to do kit on your own, you'll spend about the same amount of money as you would buying a kit, differance is, thier kit is established and you really don't know what you've got.

Ron may be able to help you, if you want, find and buy a used gyro, this man can find deals, but it does require you spend alot of money up front and then some more fixing it up, or customizing to your taste, build, or weight....lol

MHO,

John-

[Mike Hook]

Thank y'all for your comments, I have looked at every kit out there that i can find. I have downloaded the honeybee, gyrobee, and hornet plans, I also have looked at sub kits, and yessssssssss I am short on funds to go out and buy one outright, ( mama wants a new kitchen first ). I have a 70 acre farm with a great place for a 700 foot strip. I do have a machine background and have acess to many tools. But in the long run yes I am listening to the ones that have tread this road before me. I sure don't wanna end up flat in a cow pie.

Does the Mad Max II come in a kit?? I kinda like the looks of that one with the HS. I really am not looking for a benson, I see so many on ebay.

Wilber and Orville did not make it up on the first try and I dont expect to either. Again thanks I will counting on you for support on this.

Mike Hook

[GyroRon]

The Mad Max is no longer in production. A tandem Dominator or Aircommand would be very simular.

[Scooter]

I'm afraid you may find that a 700' strip for a gyro might be a little too short. Mine is, but I have power lines at one end and 100' trees at the other. You may not have a problem.

[Screw]

Mike,

I think I can help you out with Mamma. Explain it to her like this:

"Woman! You get in that kitchen and you keep cookin! The better I eat, the happier I am, the quicker I'll finish my gyro. Which means the quicker I'll get to your D*mn kitchen!

Now you done got me all upset. I'm gonna go lay down fur a while and when I wake up, I hope you would just think about someone other than yourself! Tryin to work me to death!!!"

Reverse always works....

When my wife and I first started living together, she d*mn near come un-stitched about how she almost fell into the toilet because I left "The toilet seat up!" Of all the stupid things to get worked up about, so the next night, I was bout half asleep, and she started b*tching me out pissing all over the seat!!! So, in a calm, rational tone, I asked her, "Who left the seat down?"

We agreed not to talk about the toilet thing anymore, but when I have to go, the seat is always up ;D

lol

John-

[Mike Hook]

John,,
You don't know my wife she scares me and the dog. lol

My to be strip if open for a half mile on one end with rolling open fields and on the other there is some trees but can be cut away.

Gotta get the tractor fired up and plowing up this spring.

Does anyone have any spec's on a grass runway as to grade, grass type's and drainage??