My Sportcopter kit has arrived

[ChipK]

Well, My kit arrived yesterday, and I'm getting started with the assembly, I will be trying to set up some webspace so I can let anyone interested in the project, keep tabs on me and maybe inspire some other newbies like myself to get their kits ordered (whatever type Gyro they choose). Hoping this will be of some help to others. Or maybe just a good laugh for those experienced builders. :D

[joeheli]

ChipK, congradulation! What blade are you plannig to use and engine?

[ChipK]

Hello:
I have the 8" chord sportcopter rotor blades coming and the engine is the Rotax 582E. Should have my link up tomorrow night for my webspace, so you can check in on my progress.

Chip Kulwicki

[joeheli]

Good combination. Good Luck!!

[PW_Plack]

Chip,

I'll follow your project with great interest. Same machine I'm hoping to build someday, and same options. If you overrun your webspace and want someplace bigger, let me know. I've got a URL and hosting arrangement I'd like to make available for builder's logs.

[scott heger]

Chip, congrads on getting your SportCopter kit. Next thing you need to purchase is a really BIG hammer to make it fit. OK, not really, everything goes together quite well. I still am amazed that I built something that has been flying me around the last 5 years. You will find that factory support is very good if (I mean when) questions arise.

Scott Heger, Laguna Niguel, Ca SportCopter #054 N86SH

[CLS447]

Scott, I would love to see some closeups of yours & others Sportcopter machines. Also your instrument layout would be cool. Thanks.

Is your machine the same as Steven & Chip's without the enclosure? I gotta say, I am really happy with my 28' x 8.5" Sport Rotors.

[ChipK]

Hello:
Well, I have posted the link below so you may see my work as it comes along, So feel free to check out how she's going for me. I am posting a pic here of where I left off today.
Thanks for all your support

http://hometown.aol.com/extremecollect/index.html


Chip Kulwicki

[PW_Plack]

Chip,

I just checked out your builder's page. Congratulations on your pace of construction! I've already gleaned a couple of hints from your story.

Aren't you afraid you'll go crazy now, waiting for Spring?

[Mike Hook]

Chip
Congrats on your great start. Does Sportcopter offer a option for a ea81 or a ej22 sub??

Mike

[PW_Plack]

Steven,

I believe the same welded steel mast used to mount the NSI 2.2 on the Vortex tandem bolts right on the single-place frame. When I was investigating engine options last year, Jim said a 2.2 Vortex single-place was an option.

Heavy, but an option! They have jigs to reproduce those steel masts. A very labor-intensive, expensive mast option, but then, you know that...:)

[Dean_Dolph]

Steven, I've been meaning to ask a SportCopter owner about the fuel tank. I believe it is separate from the seat. Is this true? If so, do you, or any other owner, have a picture of the fuel tank by itself? I'm curious to see if it could be used in other applications.

[Dean_Dolph]

Thanks or the info and the pictures!

[ChipK]

Aren't you afraid you'll go crazy now, waiting for Spring?
__________________
Paul W. Plack
PRA 39139

Paul, "Crazy" Thats one possibility, Course if my wife keeps finding me sitting in it pretending to fly she's going to think I already am.
I have decided not to fire up the engine till end of winter now, no sense in just letting it sit once started, its already preserved well, so I'll leave her till late Feb. anyway, then can go ahead with break-in and then get her inspected. Its bugged me so bad I am thinking of trying to get down to FL. for a couple days where my Instructor (Rick M.) headed for the winter. Just to keep things going and to get my fix. Currently waiting for the upgraded rotor too from Sportcopter. Supposed to have that by Jan.

Thanks for the support
Chip Kulwicki

[ChipK]

PS: Steve, I like your shop, I wish I had curtains and carpet in mine, the cement is hard on my knees. LOL

Chip Kulwicki

[Tom Evans]

Chip,

I did not see any mention in your log of "fitting" the various parts together, such as reaming holes, sanding, etc. I mention this because of Steve's experience with a used Sportcopter that was botched. I believe the original builders choice of tools were hammers, small, medium and large. Just trying to get a feel for the finer points of the Sportcopter build process. Thanks.

[ChipK]

Tom:
Sorry for not replying sooner, but had not been able to get on to the forum recently because of being too busy. As for the fitting, not really sure what your going for here, but I do believe I did mention in the Internet log ( which is a condensed version) I did mention about the sanding required in some points of the plastic saddles to acheive a perfect fit (instructions recommended this). As for the reaming, I assumed, (being new to building) that this is a normal part of installing bolts, when you have a properly drilled hole with some epoxy paint in it. The paint must be removed in order to push the bolt through. If you would like the actual log I can email you a copy when I type it up from the hand written version. You could see all points then good and bad.

Chip K.

[Tom Evans]

Chip:
I know about the busy, I am supposedly retired, but there just aren't enough hours in the day. I would be very pleased to have a copy of your builders log. I'll probably make a purchase about midyear. Another gentleman near me is on the same track and steered me towards Sportcopter. Thanks.
Tom
Valsystom@aol.com

[Timchick]

If you're considering a SportCopter be sure to order one of their informational videos. It's a very impressive video.

[ChipK]

Hello:
I had ordered the video packages from all who offered them when checking out the different machines, although I was not entirely happy with any of them. They all lacked quality video, (cheap copies) that the consumer pays big bucks for. Plus none supplied much currrent fotage, in fact the worse, Air Command did not even show 10 sec. of the newer tall model and after a short time, of poorly pieced together clips, it just ended. With this being there means of advertising seems they would all be striving for a great video production, specially for the $35.00 they all want for it. In any case, they were still helpful in my decision, but more so was the imput I recieved from other owners. I believe that currently Sportcopter is working on a new video, which should be on DVD, which will definately help the dubbing quality the VHS format suffered. If you guys can find any owners of the machines you are interested in , around your area, its worth writing to them to see what they have to say. Also, go check out some machines, one thing I really notice now after building even more so than before is how much better quality and strength the parts and components of the SC have compared to some others, not saying these others are bad machines in anyway, just strength of the components that I am putting my butt in, was one factor that always weighs on my mind.
Chip K.
North Liberty, IN.

[Timchick]

I'll agree with you on the video quality of SportCopter's old video. I haven't ordered videos from any of the other gyro builders yet but with the ease of video editing nowadays $35.00 for a VHS copy seems a little steep. I plan on doing a lot more video stuff at Bensen Days this year with a lot more time focusing on looking at the machines up close to show the controls, prerotators, etc so I'll have a good video of several different gyros available so people can see the differences, etc. I'm working with Rotor-Head to post some of my videos on his web site for all to see. That's my plan anyway. Hopefully it'll work out.