Pheenix Dominator Build Thread

[MrGrey]

Well here we go again. This forum has been kinda quiet lately and I would like to change that. Starting today I am beginning the rebuilding process and will be flying again by summer. I have sent deposit to Ernie to begin construction on a custom single seat airframe that will consist of the following:

-The airframe has been modified to accomodate a Rotax 618 swinging a 72" prop. 450lbs. static thrust baby!!

-The tail will be the same size of the two-place machine tail and will make for some serious stability.

- The airframe will resemble an ultrawhite with only an instrument pod and not the full nosepod.

-I plan on reusing some components from the wreckage of N618PF that was damaged at Mentone last year. Items like the seat, pedals, prerotator, cables + linkage, etc. will have the chance once again to fly.

-I have procured 22' DW's and new rotorhead.

This Pheenix Dominator will be the be all end all (in my opinion) in terms of performance when I get done with it and cannot wait to fly it. It has been really tough to be grounded since August 09' and I just need to feel flight again and honor the Man and Machine Award I received at Mentone. I wouldn't be man and machine with out the machine... and its begun. Expect pics of the build to follow.

-Matt

[cgmg]

Matt,

Welcome back to the fold! Glad to hear you decided to rebuild.

[helipaddy]

Great News Matt, I wish you every success with the perfect machine.

[RotoPlane]

You obviously have put a lot of thought into this new machine Matt and I hope it will fulfill all of your expectations. Apparently you plan on winning the climb contest at Mentone ;).

[GyroDoug]

Matt,

We are all glad to hear that you are re-building. Make sure to take lots of pictures and document what you are going through. I am sure we can all learn from your experience. Thanks for being willing to share it. I will anxiously await your posts.

[animal]

Great to see ya back in the swing of things Matt, going to be fun to watch your build. gonna be even more fun to watch you fly that baby.

[dragonflyerthom]

Good for ya, Matt. We will all be waiting.

[GyroRon]

I don't remember if it was ever announced, but while Matt builds a gyro, Mrs Matt is building something even better that will also be here around summer time.

[StanFoster]

Matt- I am glad to hear you are building a new gyro. You are such a talented flyern and you were most worthy of that Man & Machine award last year. I know you will build a real performer. We all will be looking forward to seeing it. Stan

[scottessex]

Don't you mean "Phoenix" ;)
much more appropriate since the phoenix rose from the ashes.


Note: To “rise like a phoenix from the ashes” is to overcome a seemingly insurmountable setback.

:boink: :boink:

[MrGrey]

Don't you mean "Phoenix" ;)
much more appropriate since the phoenix rose from the ashes.


Note: To “rise like a phoenix from the ashes” is to overcome a seemingly insurmountable setback.

:boink: :boink:

Well scott since there is already a phoenix gyro i had to use a little bit of play on the word to make it mine. But essentially I chose Pheenix gyro because it will be many of the old parts that are reborn on this gyro.

[CLS447]

Ron, is that a "rugrat" ??

Congrats on that !

Can't wait to see pics of the resurrection ! Super Hybrid Dom........The first of its kind ?

[scottessex]

Sounds like a great Idea, should be a rocket ship with the 618 and huge prop!

I was just bustin on ya, glad to see you building again.

[MrGrey]

Well Phase One of the rebuilding process has begun... hope Ernie can keep up! The Shocker Dominators corpse has returned home to have its ashes spread all over my HEATED garage floor. Mentone is one ugly place in the winter lemme tell ya. The most beautiful thing there was my five month pregnant wife helping me out...whatta catch I got! I know Tommy Milton woulda been there but was busy on the phone. Kinda depressing going there and not seeing any of your friends and no gyros to speak of. Alas I promise to be back this summer! I did have to find a way to get the machine in the garage and well... you can see I found the simple solution. I did get the rotor head off and disassembled entirely......can't wait to see that thing spinning above my head again!!

[Exterminator]

Matt, get you tale down to Bensen Days you can always fly my gyro..

[MrGrey]

Matt, get you tale down to Bensen Days you can always fly my gyro..

Oh boy!! I come down to fly your machine and I don't think you would ever get to fly it!! Thanks for the offer!! I will consider it... I miss flying so much.

[Timchick]

Matt, Scott's usually so busy he hardly ever gets to fly at BDays. It would be a shame for his gyro to sit around all week.

[MrGrey]

Great News!! Ernie is boxing up and my new airframe and shipping it out next week! How about that? I am so stoked... I may be flying sooner than I thought.

I did find a powder coating shop near me that will do coating of 2x2 aluminum for 1.50/ft. he was very knowledgeable about the aluminums properties and has done this before for experimental aircraft applications. Its gonna be cheaper to powder coat it than paint the damn thing.

I do plan on burnishing the cluster plates and was wondering if anyone knew any tips or tactics to make sure it comes out right and looks the same. I really liked the effect and I think Ultracruiser had done it before, but can't remember. Anyway any input would be appreciated.

I could be 2 months or less out from flying!! I cannot wait!!

[scottessex]

Matt, you can do the "engine turning" or burnishing in a drill press, you'll need a mandrel and some 3M scotchbrite pads that fit the mandrel, the 1" works well for the size on the cluster plates.
Set up where you want to start, and clamp a straight edge to the table on the drill press.
Mark the straight edge with marks every inch so you can get the spacing correct on each row.
Then then gently press the rotating scotchbrite onto the aluminum, lift, move plate 1" repeat, do this for the entire row. You may also want to mark the table with some lines about 3/4" apart so you can get the vertical spacing to look the same also.

Move plate up about 3/4" then stagger your starting point on the next row so the circles are in between each other. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Then take it to the powder coaters and have them coated with "translucent" color, and they will look like candy apple, or like they were anodized, if you do not coat the they will dull and corrode and look bad. :)
I did this to my rotor head and cluster plates on the SOMA a few years back and it did look very nice and held up very well.


I couldn't find the rotor head pics, but here are some of the nose wheel I built.
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5899&highlight=soma+nose+wheel&page=2

[MrGrey]

Thanks Scott,

I found this system that I want to try! Seems cheaper to do myself and should be real cool tool to have. Eastwoods HotCoat Powder Coating System seems real easy. Here is a link I found to a youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0LCiDaqUc

They have all kinds of colors and even translucent, candied powders. Looks like it would be fun to do.

[ckurz7000]

I don't remember if it was ever announced, but while Matt builds a gyro, Mrs Matt is building something even better that will also be here around summer time.

Well, I hope it hasn't got "Dragonwings" :)

Congrats! -- Chris.

[scottessex]

Matt I have had the eastwood kit for years, it is a very good kit for small parts, it will pay for itself in no time.

[MikeBoyette]

Well, I hope it hasn't got "Dragonwings" :)

Congrats! -- Chris.

Why would you say that? It's a Dominator of course it will have Dragon Wings.

[Resasi]

Like the look of the Eastwood Powder Coating system. Just wondering about finding an oven long enough for some of the longer spars.

Does this address the possibility of de-tempering the metal by being able to melt the powder at a lower temps, or is this simply a home version of the pro shops and the temp issue remain?

[GyroRon]

Why would you say that? It's a Dominator of course it will have Dragon Wings.

He was replying about a comment I made about Matt making a baby. I wasn't sure if he had announced it yet, but apparently he did in another thread.

[edypaul]

Matt

Congrats on the new Baby ! Thats going to be one smoking Hot Gyro .Have fun with the build. I was thinking of visiting Home in Joliet ,but after looking at your pics ,I think I'll wait until August. :)

[MikeBoyette]

Oh ok I thought he meant his new baby as in his new gyro.

[MrGrey]

Oh ok I thought he meant his new baby as in his new gyro.


Well Mike I think you saw the new machine partially assembled and IT IS ON ITS WAY!! Connie told me Ernie was loading it up on the truck and it is in transit to me...mid to late next week it should arrive..

I have started to do some pre-work and my wife always said I spent too much time polishing my head... after this she gets to polish the next one.

[Timchick]

Wow. Looks nice.

[MrGrey]

Ok... my baby girl Leah Nicole Novotney is making her internet debut....(no jokes pls ;) This is a little old and we are 5 months now..

[StanFoster]

Matt- I am real happy for your little daughter on the way, and also your gyro shipment on the way. Nothing tops having your own child coming into the world. If we just talk about something "mechanical", then its hard to beat the excitement of a rotorcraft coming your way. Good on you and your family! Stan

[MrGrey]

Thanks for the kind words Stan... I am going to try to enjoy this build and know that my wife is busy building too. Both of us have a lot of hard work ahead of us and can't wait for my baby and gyro to be born.

BTW what is the best method, if any, for preserving a polishing job on aluminum? Anybody?

[scottessex]

BTW what is the best method, if any, for preserving a polishing job on aluminum? Anybody?
PAINT! that works the best. Once aluminum is polished it will oxidize and require constant polishing to keep it shiney. There are some ways to make it not so bad.
but polishing still sucks.

[GyroRon]

What did you end up doing to polish the parts Matt? Thats too shiney to have done by hand with a rag!

[MikeBoyette]

Matt,
Your other new baby should be on it's way soon. I cant wait to see it fly.

[MrGrey]

What did you end up doing to polish the parts Matt? Thats too shiney to have done by hand with a rag!

I used a buffing wheel on a bench grinder and used those sticks of polishing wax and went to town on it. It was fairly easy once I got the hang of how much to use and what the best technique was.

[GyroRon]

Did your face turn black from the splatter? That happened to me the first time I polished stuff like that. I looked like Buckwheat when I was done

[gyro]

Matt, anodizing is the best way to protect the polished aluminum. but make sure they do a real light etch or it will dull it.

it is usally a 60 to 100 dollar minimum with most companies and that is a fair price to pay and not worry about it oxidizing.

If you want to go the cheap route then a good wax will protect it as well but remember to apply a new coat about once every 3 months.

[MrGrey]

Did your face turn black from the splatter? That happened to me the first time I polished stuff like that. I looked like Buckwheat when I was done

There was no splatter at all when I did it.... The compound is the consistency of a wax crayola crayon and it was not very messy at all. I think they call it jewelers polish or something like that. I got it at Home Depot and it works great as you can see.


BTW I did some research on "engine turning" or "burnishing" and found a youtube video that was just fantastic about the process and the Cratex method for getting VERY consistent results. Here is the link.... it is very informative. I ordered my sticks today from MSC and should have them tomorrow. My airframe should be here any day now and its gonna get real busy around here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf5dqUIT-eo

[MrGrey]

YEAH BABY!!! My airframe was delivered today and all I can say is that nobody out does Ernie Boyette and Rotor Flight Dymnamics. I would post pictures of the beautiful crating job his guys did but, the aluminum was dropped off at the powder coaters already and the chromoly assemblies were dropped off at the painters!! I brought home the cluster plates and have those nicely polished up and ready for burnishing tomorrow. I laid out a grid pattern for 3/4 inch Cratex abrasive and am gonna by busy on the drill press tomorrow. I am willing to bet the basic airframe is together before the end of the month. I got the bug again and it bit me good this time....

[MrGrey]

Talk about painstaking labor.. the Cratex method worked just awesome though!! It was a little hard to work on the big pieces b/c the drill press I borrowed has a small table on it. These plates are almost 3-d to look at and are really almost pieces of art....

I did get my aluminum stock back from the powder coaters today... they did all four sticks of aluminum for only $21.50... can't beat that with a stick!!

I did pick up the chromoly from the painter today but was a little less than satisfied with the job they did and they are gonna redo it. Some spots on the steel were missed and the overall finish was not as smooth as I wanted it to be....oh well at least they are gonna fix it.

[trl0219]

Man those plates look good! I might be thinking about doing that for mine. Congrats on the child by the way. You must feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be getting two new additions that will bring you so much happiness! Good luck on the build and check mine out too. KB2 from scratch is the name of the thread.

Good luck with everything!
Tim

[bones]

Talk about painstaking labor.. the Cratex method worked just awesome though!! It was a little hard to work on the big pieces b/c the drill press I borrowed has a small table on it. These plates are almost 3-d to look at and are really almost pieces of art....

I did get my aluminum stock back from the powder coaters today... they did all four sticks of aluminum for only $21.50... can't beat that with a stick!!

I did pick up the chromoly from the painter today but was a little less than satisfied with the job they did and they are gonna redo it. Some spots on the steel were missed and the overall finish was not as smooth as I wanted it to be....oh well at least they are gonna fix it.

Ok so just how the heck did you get the pattern on those plates?

[CLS447]

Matt, how long did it take to do those plates ? They do look fantastic !

You just can't beat powder paint.......the price was great!

[MrGrey]

Matt, how long did it take to do those plates ? They do look fantastic !

You just can't beat powder paint.......the price was great!

Yeah the price was cheaper than painting it! They will take orders if you want to ship em in... 1.50 a foot is all they charge for a black powder coat.. I will post the info for those guys here later today.

[matt]

Matt Is their a reason why you did not powder coat the chromoly? I just did some black and I hope I did not do something to hurt the chromoly.

[MrGrey]

No that won't hurt the chromoly at all... the chromoly is just a little cheaper to paint and it really didn't cost me anything to get it painted. Paint to me just looks a little bit better on those assemblies and it sticks to steel very easily and touch up is easy too. Painted aluminum is very touchy... steel is easy

[StanFoster]

Matt- Nice job on that "engine turning" detail you did to you plates. That is just going to draw you eye in.

Going to be nice to see it at Mentone.


Stan

[matt]

Thanks Matt. I thought I did something wrong. I had my tail powderd coated and just took the steel parts also. He charged me a $150 to do the tail and steel parts and the tail got screwed up. I mit have to have somebody buy me a new tail and start over since nobody will sell me parts anymore.

[MrGrey]

I might have a new career as an polishing expert.... I am starting to get the hang of it... I have my sights set on a trophy at Mentone this year!! That is great motivation b/c there are always top notch machines there.... I wanna blind em all!

[Timchick]

That stuff looks too good to put on a gyro.

[NetPilot]

I might have a new career as an polishing expert.... I am starting to get the hang of it... I have my sights set on a trophy at Mentone this year!! That is great motivation b/c there are always top notch machines there.... I wanna blind em all!

All I can say is... Just Damn!

I think I would be afraid to fly it if it looked that good!

[gyromike]

Mmmmmm...shiney stuff!

[Russ Hobbs]

Nice work Matt, I'll send you an email, I have a product that will help preserve your polished finish.
Russ

[GyroRon]

Your parts belong in this video Matt....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0WvPfq7Bk

[MrGrey]

Nice work Matt, I'll send you an email, I have a product that will help preserve your polished finish.
Russ


Thanks Russ... any ideas are totally welcome! I am gonna take a sample plate to the painter monday and a sample to the powder coaters too. The painter said they can clear coat it and the powder coater said they can try a clear powder too.... I will see what works best.. and look at your option too.

[Bill]

Hey Matt,

Do post some of the pics of the frame when you get it all togeather. I too want to spin a bigger prop and am looking for a suitable frame.

Bill

[MikeBoyette]

Thanks Matt. I thought I did something wrong. I had my tail powderd coated and just took the steel parts also. He charged me a $150 to do the tail and steel parts and the tail got screwed up. I mit have to have somebody buy me a new tail and start over since nobody will sell me parts anymore.

Matt,
He never said he won't sell you parts anymore. He is more than willing to sell you parts sir. He would actually like to restore your friendship. He tried to talk to you at Mentone however,you never made it over. He is available to talk it over Mon-Friday 8-5 except lunch between 12-1 give him a call.

[MrGrey]

Well I have been busy lately. I finally got my freshly coated polished aluminum parts back from the painter and they came out fantastic! I have been waiting for those for two weeks but I promptly got back to work. I ended up using Eastwoods Diamond Extreme Clear Coat and each piece got 4 coats for superior durability. You have to really look hard to even see the coating. I was worried about how the aluminum would oxidize and I did not want to loose that freshly machined look. It should be permanent now. The stuff is designed for under hood applications and polished aluminum rims. It also has superior UV stability and is tough as nails. I assembled the whole thing to this part in a matter of less than 6 hours. I will post some more details as I get some time, but this is just starting to get fun!

[GyroRon]

Looks freakin awesome dude!

[Chuck Roberg]

Come on Matt. The weather is getting better. I need someone to fly with. Get your butt going.

By the way. Met you Dr. friend. He seems pretty enthusiastic about gyro's.

[helipaddy]

Beautiful Matt
The upper shock mount on the mast is a lot longer,moving the top of the shocks further out. Is that for any reason?

[CLS447]

That is REAL PRETTY ! That is the fun part......bolting things together.....That fit & don't have to be made !

Personally....I would have went with a Candy apple red, But the black is nice !

How tough is the powder coating ? The red parts on my single place are Powder coated & I am getting a few chips. I had the parts glass beaded before application.

The cylinders & heads on my Harley are also Powder coated..., over 25,000 miles & they still look great. They are blue. Let me see if I can find a good pic....

That's a bad pic of the bike, but my old 447 in the foreground came with bare aluminum cooling shrouds, so I had them powder coated. One red & one black.....no more corrosion !

[MrGrey]

Beautiful Matt
The upper shock mount on the mast is a lot longer,moving the top of the shocks further out. Is that for any reason?

Paddy,

This frame is different than a standard ultrawhite. The machine swings a 72" prop and is not your standard machine. Ernie made the parts so I could reuse some pieces from my old machine that was destroyed....hence the name Pheenix Dominator. The mast is super tall and if it was put next to your machine it would be much more noticable as to the differences. I wanted to take full advantage of my 618 and make those ponies work for me. I will also be sporting my two place machines tail on this baby too.

[helipaddy]

Thanks Matt
I'm looking forward to seeing how it flies compared to the 582. The rate of climb should be brilliant. I flew my Dominator for 10 mins today and cant get enough of the machine, you must have severe withdrawal symptoms at this stage. I think this machine is a real winner. Best of luck with the build.
Paddy

[StanFoster]

Matt- She is going to be a beauty! I love your dteail that tou are putting into it. The colors are unique and it is going to be a serious machine. Its going to be a crowd pleaser to watch you fly it. Stan

[MrGrey]

Matt- She is going to be a beauty! I love your dteail that tou are putting into it. The colors are unique and it is going to be a serious machine. Its going to be a crowd pleaser to watch you fly it. Stan

Thanks for the kinda words Stan. This is gonna be a very powerful and extreme machine upon completion. My tandem was a performer now that motor on a streched single place is gonna be just sick! It is real hard to not just slap it together and fly it. I have really learned a lot from watching your build and your attention to detail. Do it right the first time! I did not want any regrets and I have had plenty of time to prepare and that has helped me greatly. I know exactly how I want the machine to turn out and the detail has been planned all the way down to the last nut and bolt. I got my sights set on Mentone and I want to get a chance to feature the build like you did in the new magazine.

[Timchick]

Matt,
You can start submitting articles on your build now and then send in updates every couple months, etc.

[MrGrey]

Well,

With the seat on and the tail it gives a little better perspective on how tall this bastard really is! I finally sat in the seat and even came up with a really ingenious way of mounting that even Ernie would be proud of. I sat in the seat for about 20 min with a beer in my hand just making motor noises and imagining what it feels like to fly again. I am so stoked and after this weekend I bet I am only two weeks out from flying again. Look out world here I come!

[Russ Hobbs]

Matt, maybe you should just call it the beast. lt look awesome.
Russ

[RotoPlane]

Yeah....sure, you are young enough to take a flying leap into the seat.....but older people will need a step-ladder ;). You don't mess around Matt....this Brute is looking very nice indeed!

[MrGrey]

I have been busy!! I got the brakes, throttle, rudder cable done along with a bunch more. I ran stainless steel braided fuel line w/ anodized hose clamps and it looks awesome! Fuel pump mounted on rubber isolators, primer line installed, engine mounted, radiator plumbed, gearbox attached, and exhaust mounted. I repainted the muffler clamps and all of the carb socket clamps and fuel pump mounting bracket clamps. I replaced all the rusty bolts w/ stainless steel ones that could take the heat and not discolor or rust.

Little story behind the exhaust..... it did not fit!!! I was so pissed off b/c I hoped it would just drop in like before. I ended up having to cut the muffler and turn the neck of it and weld it back together. It was only a matter of turning it like 3/4" of an inch. I relearned how to gas weld with tig rod and it was a little sloppy but the self satisfaction knowing I figured it out myself was good enough. I am happy doing as much by myself as I can. I used 2000 degree paint that was aluminum colored to retouch the ceramic coating that was destroyed by the welding process. I don't think it looks bad and when I look at it I know that i did my best.

The braided cable sleeving for the electronics is coming tomorrow and I am gonna work on the ignition and wiring tomorrow. Man, I have a couple hundred hours in to this build and the satisfaction of all the hard work is paying off. This is one of the cleanest Ultrawhites out there and I am looking forward to 2-3 weeks from now and she will be airborne!! I wish I was at Bensen Days, however getting this much work done in the last couple weeks has just been amazing.

BTW my daughter Leah Nicole Novotney is doing great and we started Lamase classes two weeks ago. I use the relaxing time during breathing exercises to think about what to do next on the gyro! Ha! Talk about multitasking... the instructor told us to focus on one thing so I did! More to come as I take the time to take more pics.

The rotor head is almost ready to assemble too! I have it all polished up and I went over everything w/ a fine tooth comb and after three different examinations I found some superficial flaws from the accident but am not taking any chances and I am replacing the main torque tube and ring gear. Luckily I bought the rotor head from Chuter and the parts are coming in handy!! Anyway have fun guys and be safe!!

[Timchick]

Looking good, Matt. We missed all you guys this year at Bensen Days. I was at a friend's house last week looking at his hot rod. I was looking at his stainless steel braided fuel lines and wondered why nobody used them on gyros.

[MrGrey]

Looking good, Matt. We missed all you guys this year at Bensen Days. I was at a friend's house last week looking at his hot rod. I was looking at his stainless steel braided fuel lines and wondered why nobody used them on gyros.


They are a little heavier than the tubing we normally use and you have to get the right kind of tube so that it can be used w/ two stroke oil and ethanol. I would imagine weight would be the major issue. They do look awesome though.... I have some more pics coming soon.

[MrGrey]

I should have probably posted this question here and did it in the builders corner too. Anyway I am looking for the AN Bolt size that is used in RFD's double bearing rotor head...I should specify that it is the spindle bolt. I know that it has a 3.5" grip length and the threads are trimmed after installation so I don't know what the starting bolt size and number is... Ernie left me on vaction and his guys in the shop were not sure....anyone help on how to figure this one out?

[choppergabor]

Well,
I sat in the seat for about 20 min with a beer in my hand just making motor noises and imagining what it feels like to fly again.

I know exactly what you are going through. It makes me feel much better about myself doing the exact same thing :) I know I don't comment a whole lot on your build but that doesn't mean I am not following it :) You are coming along really well. Almost there! :)

[Aviomania]

I should have probably posted this question here and did it in the builders corner too. Anyway I am looking for the AN Bolt size that is used in RFD's double bearing rotor head. I know that it has a 3.5" grip length and the threads are trimmed after installation so I don't know what the starting bolt size and number is... Ernie left me on vaction and his guys in the shop were not sure....anyone help on how to figure this one out?

Matt,
AN hardware have just enough threats for the nut and a washer. Grate 5 and grate 8 bolts have longer threads that need to be trimmed.. and i thing Ernie is using Grade 8.

AN bolt that "grips 3.5" is the AN6-40 or AN6-41 slightly longer that can be adjusted by a washer or 2.
The above part numbers are for "drilled shank" i.e. to use castle nuts and cotter/Grannie pins. If it will be with undrilled shank for use with lock nuts you have to add the letter "A" at the end.

Grade 8 bolts (160-180 Ksi instead of 125 Ksi... in other words stronger) you will order a 4 or 4.5' long one and trim to size. the catalogs of the bolds specify how long is the unthreaded part which in your case needs to be 3.5' or VERY slightly less.

I hope this is usefully information. Other guys with dominators may give you more specific answer. If everything else fails...... use the above guide.

All the best with your built, hope you are back in the air soon.

[Aviomania]

NOT AN6 but AN8!!!!

I have seen in your other thread and you specify "spindle bolt" !!!

AN6 is the teetering bolt. spindle bold is 1/2" diameter that is AN8 same dash number

AN8-40 or AN8-41

[MikeBoyette]

I should have probably posted this question here and did it in the builders corner too. Anyway I am looking for the AN Bolt size that is used in RFD's double bearing rotor head. I know that it has a 3.5" grip length and the threads are trimmed after installation so I don't know what the starting bolt size and number is... Ernie left me on vaction and his guys in the shop were not sure....anyone help on how to figure this one out?

Hey Matt,
He is still on the plane as soon as I can get ahold of him I will ask him and post it here.

[MrGrey]

I went home and got the bolt... (grade 8) BTW and found out that it should be a 5" grade 8 fine thread bolt. It will need to have excess threads cut after installation. Hopefully I will know tomorrow if I have the right one when i go back to pick it up. Hopefully you can confirm w/ Ernie when you get a chance Mike... don't bother him too much while on vacation...... then again I just wanna fly!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO CLOSE!

[MikeBoyette]

Matt,
He confirmed grade 8 1/2 bolt with a thread count of 20.

[gyroplanes]

I ran into Matt's wife, Jen, at the hospital the other day and she was absolutely glowing. I have never seen a woman this far along in a pregnancy, that didn't look "tired". Jen was all smiles.
I'd say her project and Matt's are neck-and-neck for roll out. I hope Matt wins, because the gyro will get shelved when the baby comes along.

[MrGrey]

A little good news... I got the gyro about 95% complete and it will make a trip out to good ol' IGQ (Lansing Municipal) tomorrow if all goes right. I just have to fab up some new control rods to attach the head and bottom fork. All electrical is up and functional, rotor head rebuilt and attached, engine plumbed, throttle prerotator and RAVE valve cables complete, prop mounted, panel painted and installed, prerotator hoses attached, brakes finished, radio and antenna complete, exhaust mounted...etc... Not much left to do. I expect a hang test and THROUGHOUGH post build preflight by any and all members of Chapter 18. I do not want to leave any stone unturned. I am actually starting to get a little nervous about flying again after nine months of being grounded. All in all after a couple hundred hours of build time this is gonna be my masterpiece. I have never seen a machine quite like this one and I am looking forward to posting the most recent pics tomorrow.

It is getting a little dark out and I had to run and get a tarp to cover the machine because there were some sprinkles coming and I did not want anything to get wet. Ran outta time to take some good pics. I cannot wait!!!! One thing I have learned from some of the greatest builders like Stan and Ernie is to do it right and think hard about what you are doing. I look up to guys like them and envy their abilities. Anyway more to come.

Oh and Tom, the wife is just doing Awesome!! She is one of the hardest working persons I have ever met and she amazes me everyday I wake up next to her. I know I am one of the luckiest guys in the world and anyone that has a good woman like mine should be the envy of everybody. Have a good night and pics OTW.

-Matt

[StanFoster]

Matt- I am excited for you, your new girl on the way, and your gyro. You are mature beyond your years, and set a good example how to do things right and in a short time. I appreciate the kind comment, but feel I do not belong in such high company as Ernie. I am in awe of others work here on the forum and feel like I am just doing a nice job, but nothing spectacular. Looking forward to seeing your gyro at Mentone Matt, as I am sure many others are. You have earned the high level of respect that everyone has towards you. I wish I had your experiences at such a young age. Just think of all the time you have to accomplish who knows what all! Stan

[All_In]

Most excellent news Matt I cannot wait to see the pictures!!!
No worries about the time off flying, it all comes back very quickly.

[MrGrey]

As promised here are the newest pics. Please keep in mind I will still have to detail her after completion... its almost there!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50030819@N02/show/

[All_In]

Sweet!!!! Thanks for the pictures.

[Aviomania]

very nice!!! well done!!

[ultracruiser41]

Matt,

Barry like!

Good job!

See you at ROC this year?

[MrGrey]

Matt,

Barry like!

Good job!

See you at ROC this year?



I am planning on it Barry! After this build I do not wanna miss another fly-in.

[StanFoster]

Matt- You have done another beautiful build. Can't wait to see it at Mentone. Where is there a safe place to park there? Ha. I am wondering myself where to park. Stan

[MrGrey]

Matt- You have done another beautiful build. Can't wait to see it at Mentone. Where is there a safe place to park there? Ha. I am wondering myself where to park. Stan

Stan,

I would guess that parking out near the E-W runway at night would be best for you. Guess you can't really roll to the hangars that easy.... some things gyros just do better! LOL... Although that hovering stuff is pretty cool. I am hoping that if I butter up Ernie enough he might lemme park w/ the boys over at RFD during the day. I don't think I will be on the flight line this year. I wanna be as far from it as I can and let people view it in safety. I hope we can learn something from the tragedy that occurred and make the event safer for everyone.

[MrGrey]

Next question... does anyone know the wall thickness Ernie uses on the pushrods? I know that I have 1" O.D. but don't know the exact thickness. I think it is .058 or .065 but not sure. I have his inserts from the two place but I polished off the darn info on the tubes! I am at home now and don't know what to order and the gyro is at the airport now and not in my front lawn.

[StanFoster]

Matt- My Helicycle has transport wheels, so there isn't any problem rolling it up to the long hanger, except I will not park it in there with all the packed in gyros. I have seen those winds come up and rotorblades tapping other rotorblades. I am going to commute to Rochester in the evenings and have a little more piece of mind. I wasn't going to park my SparrowHawk inside again, but leave it outside and a tarp over it. As far as parking during the day, a helicopter and crowds does not mix. Did you notice the trouble Rodney and Bill had when Joe Loxtercamp fired up his Helicycle? There was a half circle crowd around I barely 30 feet away. I am going to operate further down the runway and aways off of it. Stan

[MrGrey]

That is good to have those wheels! Wasn't sure if they fit in w/ you when you fly over. I hear you about peace of mind too....after last year its gonna take a bit to be comfortable around that runway again. I know that you will draw a crowd every time you fly and it is prob a good idea to go where the crowds cannot. I did start another thread in the accident discussion area about how we can make the event safer this year and any input you have is very valuable.... maybe you could speak on behalf of helicopters and safety improvements we could make?

[Resasi]

Matt congratulations on a lovely looking job.

Like the nose art...oh, and the dog too.:yo:

[MrGrey]

Matt congratulations on a lovely looking job.

Like the nose art...oh, and the dog too.:yo:

Thanks! Its so close and now at the PRA ch. 18 hangar ready for finishing touches and a post build preflight by the club. If I am lucky it might just be flying by this weekend. I know you won't be able to keep me on the ground for very long once completed.

[scottessex]

Nice job, Good work.
Those exhaust mount brackets sure are slick. :D

[MrGrey]

Did the hang test last night!!! Right on the money like Ernie said!!! Hope to break in engine Saturday and fly on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[All_In]

Way to go, great job Matt!

[helipaddy]

Hi Matt
Hope Everything goes to plan this weekend, I'm really looking forward to reading your flight report and seeing the performance difference with the big prop.

Safe flyin

Paddy

[StanFoster]

Matt- Sounds like you are about go for launch...very exciting. Hey, how soons the little girl going to arrive? Is it close?

Stan

[MrGrey]

Hi Matt
Hope Everything goes to plan this weekend, I'm really looking forward to reading your flight report and seeing the performance difference with the big prop.

Safe flyin

Paddy

Looks like I am gonna win the race! Baby due June 13th and went to the doc yesterday and everything looks perfect! I finished everthing but gassin' er up at the airport today...gotta do the engine break in and then good luck keepin me on the ground.

[All_In]

Great news regarding both events.... Let us know.

[helipaddy]

Im looking forward to both of your events too!

Maybe we will have a race to see which kid solos a gyro first! My War Office is expecting our second child on August 4th.

Two great events, a beautiful Child and a beautiful gyro all in the one month!

Congratulations!

[All_In]

Im looking forward to both of your events too!

Maybe we will have a race to see which kid solos a gyro first! My War Office is expecting our second child on August 4th.

Two great events, a beautiful Child and a beautiful gyro all in the one month!

Congratulations! Congratulations Paddy, is it a boy or girl?

[helipaddy]

No idea, John!
We usually leave it for the surprise on the day!

[MrGrey]

Small update here.... weather and timing kept me on the ground Sunday....then it rained all day yesterday....i have Lamaze tonight.... then Wednesday looks like the day. 72 and light winds. I even took 1/2 off work to make sure I get in the air! First time off since last year! Guess you can't complain about working too much during a recession..

[helipaddy]

Really looking forward to the flight report Matt, and enjoy the classes.. Its very hard to concentrate on the breath in-breath out when you're thinkin about firing up the rotax and spinnin the blades.

[MrGrey]

Today was the day!! I flew the Pheenix today! All I can say is WOW! Here is what I can remember:

Top speed 100+MPH.... ASI tops out at 90 and it was buried. The wind was beating the hell outta me. Fastest gyro I have flown next to a Magni. Climbs like a bat outta hell too. I was really suprised with the 22 footers. My rotor tach does not work so I don't know what they are turning. Landing was a trick though...there is no float with this machine and it drops like a rock. I tried a 45MPH approach and I was sinking way too fast...55-65 is much better. I will have to get used to it for sure. I bet 23-24 footers would solve that. Then again I think that I enjoy the super light stick and fast reaction.

It is VERY rock solid in the air and I think you would have to expect that with the short blades and two place tail. I look forward to tearing it up a little more very soon. I will hopefully have some vid and pics after I get all the bugs worked out.

I have to remove some pitch from the prop, beef up the seat mount, fix the water temp guage (its not reading), adjust the prerotator belt, and repolish some stuff that got a little dirty.....

[Chuck Roberg]

I was there I can attest that Matt actually flew his new machine. He did a great job. Makes me envious.

Good Going Matt.

[GyroRon]

pictures.....

[Chuck Roberg]

pictures.....

Matt said something about 25 cents a print. :party:

Randy was taking Pix with Matt's camera. Hopefully Matt will come down long enough to post them.

[StanFoster]

Matt- I am happy for you. I can only imagine what it would feel like to have built such a nice machine like you had sitting at Mentone last year...then have it crunched up. That would knock the wind out of anyones sails. Glad to see you back stronger than ever. Cant wait to see it at Mentone.


Stan

[MrGrey]

Matt- I am happy for you. I can only imagine what it would feel like to have built such a nice machine like you had sitting at Mentone last year...then have it crunched up. That would knock the wind out of anyones sails. Glad to see you back stronger than ever. Cant wait to see it at Mentone. Stan

I appreciate it Stan... I have a feeling that this machine is about as close as a stairway to heaven as it gets for me....I can't wait to get her all dialed in and see what she can really do!

btw I went through the pics that my pal randy took and they did not come out so well. I gotta teach that boy how to use a camera. I hope to get some air to air this weekend with adam and get the final pics too. stay tuned.... there will be flying footage from on board too!

[edypaul]

Another fine Machine takes to the Air. Good job ! Looks Great!

[WindRyder06]

Matt,

Glade to hear your success with a beautifly new machine. I would suggest a set of 25' blades on your machine. I went down the same road with my Monarch and thought 24's would be the way to go. I really like my 25's. There is a very small amount of float on landing but with my 23's it would sink at the bottom and fall out. I did not like that. Of course the 24's may be good depending on your all up weight.


I would like to have a conversation about your 618 set up just to compare notes on my 618 set up. That is one VERY strong engine!!!

Congratulations!

[MrGrey]

Here it is guys... a short montage of the resurrection of the Shocker Dominator in to the Pheenix Dominator. I guess you can say it is official that I AM BACK! I did the full flight envelope flight testing on this machine and it turned out nothing less than perfect. I will tell ya you gotta be quick on the stick to land her but I love the 22'ers. I love the top end on this thing and it is just too incredible to fly....here you go!

YouTube - PheenixFinal.avi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi5Mf2Gzx8E)

Flying Footage begins at 1:00

[All_In]

Wow you be fly'n again how cool is that!
Great job Matt!!!

[j bird]

Fantastic:)