Interest in building a dominator

[Ericklee]

New to forum and have interest in building a gyro. I like what I have read (on this forum) about Dominators, Ernie and see that he has been around a while since some of the threads are rather dated. Fortunately, I live in Tampa near his shop. Do any other of you gyro guys or gals live in or around the Tampa Bay area? Unfortunately, the EAA guys I have met in the area are great folks but not gyro types. Natually, I have a lot of questions. It seems that the more I learn, the more questions I have. Also, I just bgt a Subaru EJ22 as a move toward my impending project. Has anybody used one of those in their gyro? I look forward to being around and am can't wait for my first gyro ride. :p Thats right... I used to fly an airplane (172 for a year) I owned, but never have been in any kind of rotorcraft. Lots of You Tube time. lol.

Eric

[All_In]

Greetings and welcome to the Forum and more fun than should be legal!

You've found the right place to help you achieve your goals.

There is a wealth of knowledge here, just about everything has already been asked twice at least.

Feel free to ask away, but the Search button reveals all, actually too much sometimes.

Oh and you can't go wrong with a Dominator!!!

[Dirtydog]

Ericklee ::welcome:
When I first started this I went to a fly in at Wrens and spoke to ultracrusie or better know as Barry K. I like the Dom he was flying. For some reason I have aways like the looks of the Dom's. If the price would not have been so high on the Ultrawhite I would have bought one. I just finished my gyrobee and have not had and time in it but once I get the rubber off the tires a few time I will look into one for sure.
Good Luck with your choice!

Don't know if they sell plans on the Ultrawhite or not:confused:

[MikeBoyette]

New to forum and have interest in building a gyro. I like what I have read (on this forum) about Dominators, Ernie and see that he has been around a while since some of the threads are rather dated. Fortunately, I live in Tampa near his shop. Do any other of you gyro guys or gals live in or around the Tampa Bay area? Unfortunately, the EAA guys I have met in the area are great folks but not gyro types. Natually, I have a lot of questions. It seems that the more I learn, the more questions I have. Also, I just bgt a Subaru EJ22 as a move toward my impending project. Has anybody used one of those in their gyro? I look forward to being around and am can't wait for my first gyro ride. :p Thats right... I used to fly an airplane (172 for a year) I owned, but never have been in any kind of rotorcraft. Lots of You Tube time. lol.

Eric

Hi Eric,
Welcome. My name is Mike I am Ernie's son. I live in Riverivew. I will try to answer your questions. There are quite a few gyro pilots in the central Florida area. The most congregate at the Wauchula airport. This is due to the welcome gyros recieve there. Most airports in the area don't want gyros around. As for the EJ22 it's a bit big for a single, those are typically used on a two place. My dad has a two place tandem with a EJ20 on it. If you have any questions you can give me a call at 813-843-2833 anytime. I would also encourage you to join our club SunState Wing and Rotor Club. Lots of same minded people who are more like family.

[Dirtydog]

MikeBoyette :
Do they sell the building plans for the ultrawhite?

[RotoPlane]

Eric - Below is a link for a Dominator single place gyro plans ($175) and construction manual ($100).

http://www.rotorflightdynamicsinc.com/pricelist.html

[MikeBoyette]

MikeBoyette :
Do they sell the building plans for the ultrawhite?

Dog,
An UltraWhite is just a basic 503 Dominator with a white tail. Until a customer requested a white machine dad always did yellow and black. The UltraWhite is a little cheaper to produce because the aluminium is left bear. The plans are a little dated. They were drawn in the early 90's and dad has changed a few things. A prime example of this is the walking beams for the main gear. The plans call for them to be made from 4130. Dad uses machined aluminum for walking beams now. Many people who build Dominators from plans just buy the updated parts from dad. Hope that helps sir.

[automan1223]

I would agree with Mike,

A healthy ea 81 with a gear drive is about the largest power plant I would use.

A direct drive 2.2 or 2.5 might and I say might work ok but for either application you need larger rotor blades than what they run on the 2 strokes.

I believe the Dominator is best suited for the much lighter weight Rotax 582 / 618 unless you are a low weight pilot flying in cooler climates.

J

[RICK MARTIN]

Hey Erik,

Welcome to the gyro community. I have an EA 81 with an AMAX redrive for sale. You can call me at 941 795-4668 or 941 812-7182 (cell) or email me at rmarti60@tampabay.rr.com

I hangar in Wauchula and live in Bradenton.

- Rick Martin

[Russ]

I've had the same Dominator since 1996 and love it. It is a single seat with a 582 Rotax.
Ernie typically has Ultrawhites built and ready to sell most of the time. That would be a great starter machine. Ernie is an expert and it is best to let him build it. If you want to build something build a picnic table. Let Ernie build the flying machines. There are too many wrong ways of doing things that seem right. Everything on Ernie's machine is done for a reason and his have withstood the test of time. Good luck!

[Timchick]

Eric,
Wauchula will be the closest gyro hangout to you. Get up with Rick Martin, JR, or Brooke, and go visit them on a weekend they're over there flying.

[Dirtydog]

MikeBoyette:
What is the total weight of the Ultrawhite.

[MikeBoyette]

around 300 lbs.

[ouraydog]

If you buy a pre-built gyro from the company, how are you going to get an airworthiness certificate for it?

[ouraydog]

I've had the same Dominator since 1996 and love it. It is a single seat with a 582 Rotax.
Ernie typically has Ultrawhites built and ready to sell most of the time. That would be a great starter machine. Ernie is an expert and it is best to let him build it. If you want to build something build a picnic table. Let Ernie build the flying machines. There are too many wrong ways of doing things that seem right. Everything on Ernie's machine is done for a reason and his have withstood the test of time. Good luck!

I should have included the quote in my last post: My question was, if you buy a pre-built gyro from Ernie, how will you get an airworthiness certificate for it?

Bill

[MikeBoyette]

Bill,
Call him at 813-634-3370 M-F 8-12 1-4. He can answer your question better than I can.

[Ericklee]

Fellas,

I appreciate all of your comments and advise. I just wanted to let any of you know that may be interested, I am building a plane instead. A rag n' Tube Wittman Buttercup. I just wanted you all to know why I am not still talking gyros. I always hate it when people just disappear with saying so. I am only two weeks into a 2 year project (and thats me working 30+ hours per week) at my slower pace, but I am destined and determined to build this flying machine. Good luck and best wishes and I'll be around.

Eric Klee
Tampa

[MikeBoyette]

Eric,
Good luck sir. Come down to wauchula and see us at our new Years fly-in. All are welcom even stiff wing drivers.

[Lspav8r]

Mike, I sent your dad an email about the hub bar for my barnett blades but I havnt seen or heard anything from him. Do you know if he got the email?