No substitute for training

[RobO]

During a recent takeoff, I failed to apply proper rudder during rotation. By the time I was too late reacting to a right yaw, I had bled off airspeed and I had yawed enough that airborne recovery became impossible. Aborting this takeoff from about 8-10 feet resulted in a hard, but upright, grass landing that subsequently continued into a roll over after ground contact.

I chopped power preceding contact with very little ground speed. Sloping ground and continued aircraft yaw rotation produced the roll over on contact. Weather was a calm, stable, and ideally cool morning. Video I have clearly shows pilot error with incorrect rudder on takeoff. It is unpleasant to watch. I simply failed to correct and I got way behind the aircraft.

This was plain and simple poor pilot decision making. I had concerns about skills and keeping them up to snuff. To address this, I had recently been running the aircraft up and balancing on mains over several weeks. But, this did not hone rudder skills and the instinctual reactions for flight. What had been instinctual was no longer and I had a false sense of security. I did not realize this until it was too late. There is no substitute for good training and current skills!

Best,
RobO

[PW_Plack]

Whoa! Was this in the past couple weeks, in your Dom?

[choppergabor]

Glad you made it out the way that you can talk about it. Sorry for the loss man. Happy you made it out alive!

[RobO]

Paul, this happened a little over a week ago. I wanted some time to look over the damage and to think about it. And as you can imagine, I also wasn't real excited about writing the post in the first place. But, perhaps it will help others make better decisions.

Thanks for the well wishes. I actually don't need condolences at this point. I just hope others stay safe and enjoy their aircraft!

Best,
RobO

[Timchick]

Very sorry to hear about your mishap. Glad you're OK.

[Earthboundmisft]

Rob, glad you are OK, just plain sucks. You said you had a right yaw, and you said it was a calm perfect morning. Why did you have this right yaw? Why did it cause such a problem? Maybe it was a right bank? Were you climbing to steep? Im a greenhorn and need to learn. Mike. :wacko:

[RotoPlane]

Thanks for your post Rob. You said you have a video showing the problems you stated. If you don't mind, it may help to understand better by showing us the video along with what you wrote. If this can happen to you, it can also happen to us.....

[bmoore2156]

Rob,
Thanks for posting... I hope the "I told you so" type of people lay off the negative comments.
I too would like to see the video if your willing to post it.
Brad

[Chuck Roberg]

Bummer. I hope your able to rebuild and continue flying.

[SideKick]

As a newbie and having to use a lot of left rudder on takeoff I would also like to see the video.

[Resasi]

Rob, your action in coming forward as you have is admirable. Glad you have walked away safely from it and sorry about the machine.

[Vance]

Sorry about your mishap Rob.

I was taught that if the interface between the ground and the aircraft is not going well it is best to get further from the ground before trying the interface again. This often involves dropping the nose to pick up airspeed. It does not generally involve reducing the power.

I have found that if I flare too high that a judicious application of power may cushion the landing.

I was taught that the rotor controls the location and direction of the aircraft and the rudder controls which way it is pointed.

I hope your experience will drive the un-trained and undertrained to a CFI.

I hope your training goes well.

I am grateful for every minute of my training.

I feel it was money and time well spent.

Thank you, Vance

[GyroRon]

That sucks.... and I know you were wanting to sell that bird too. Yours was the bird I had on my " Ron's picks " gyro list, to tell newbies which used machines to buy. Are you going to rebuild it?

[RotorTom]

RobO,

Where are you based? Need help? A hangar to work out of? Some rides (in the Xenon or R44)?

Not sure I've ever run into you.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. There is a good contingency of Gyros out at KFTG.

Tom

[Gyro_Kai]

Sorry to hear that. Glad you got out alright and thank you for posting for us to learn. Wishing you best of luck for whichever next step you plan on this journey.

Kai.

[All_In]

Bummer, sorry about that but thanks for sharing. I know it takes real guts...

[GyroDoug]

Rob,

I am really sorry that happened. I was hoping your Gyro was going to become one of Utah's newest Gyros. I assume there is at least some salvage value. Are you thinking of selling it for Salvage? or rebuilding it first and then trying to sell it again? Let us know and we will do everything we can to let people know about it. I guess this means we aren't going to see you this week at Rotors Over The Rockies. Very Sad indeed.

[Dirtydog]

RobO :
As one of the newbies here too, with only 30 hours in mine I can feel the feeling you are having. You have a nice bird and it will make a come back. When I fist started out I had a bad Left bank turn that almost stopped me from flying. But I made it passed the wall and into the air...... Thank god your ok!:angel:

[RobO]

Thanks for all the support. I don’t have the experience of many here, but after 12+ years around gyroplanes, I know there are some great people in the community. I am grateful to have trained with very competent CFIs and they trained this pilot well at the time. But after that, it is solely the pilot’s responsibility to apply those skills to stay competent. Not doing so can result in pilot error, just as CFIs correctly teach. When not used, skills can fade without feeling it. There is no substitute for training after a period of down time. That’s all I was trying to say. My rudder error and incident details may have detracted from this message. Gyroplanes are great aircraft when the pilot is working.

I temporarily welded the left gear and the ship now stands in my garage as it should. After replacing an ignition coil with a broken post, I fired up the engine without the prop. It started on the first try, it ran well, and the instruments read as they should. But clearly, there are significant issues (rotors, left gear, prop, and tail, to start). Rebuilding appears possible with significant work, but I’m just not that enthusiastic about flying. I’m heading towards a salvage/rebuild project sale. I really appreciate the support from many over the years on how I built the machine.

I hope to have a better assessment over this weekend. Then, I will likely make a salvage/rebuilding post in the For Sale section. I’m sorry to miss ROTR in Utah. It looks like it will be a great event for the rocky mountain area. Keep up the good work!

Best,
RobO

[Resasi]

Rob a very reasoned and positive approach to what has happened.

Hope your onward plans go as planned.

Be well.

[ckurz7000]

Rob, I appreciate the candor and openness with which you tell your mishap. I know that in itself is not easy, with one's pride and ego standing in the way. Glad you came out of it unharmed.

My only suggestion at this point: before deciding to sell and get out of flying, let a few days pass. It would be stupid to make a decision based on a hurt ego and recent loss.

Best to you, -- Chris.