Greg Gremminger on "The UltraFlight Radio Show"

[skyflea73]

The UltraFlight Radio Show airs live on Tuesday mornings right here on
the web at http://www.ultraflightradio.com at 10:00AM Eastern Standard
Time and 7:00AM Pacific Time. But you don't have to hear it live to
hear it! You can also hear this show (and previous shows) at the show
archive. We make it convenient for you!

We've got some great folks lined up this week for your listening
pleasure, including:

> Mary Jones, EAA
Mary Jones from the Experimental Aircraft Association was at Kitty hawk
for the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight. She gives us a report on
the festivities that happened at the 100th birthday of flight.

> Greg Gremminger, Magni Gyro
Greg Gremminger continues his talk about some of the misconceptions
about gyroplane design. Specifically in this segment he will talk about
the commonly held beliefs about centerline thrust and the requirements
for a horizontal stabilizer.

> Jay Gill, PPC Pilot
Jay Gill celebrated the 100th anniversary of flight in the best way
possible, he flew! We visit with Jay as he tells us about his
preparations and his flight on December 17th exactly 100 years after
the Wright Brothers.

> Tom Olenik, Olenik Aviation
When the show is live, Tom Olenik is ready to answer your four stroke
and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Call them in at
(888) 514-2100.

> Jim Sweeney, NAPPF President and USUA Board Member
Jim discusses the future of light sport aviation and how to get ready
to transition your ultralight into the sport pilot program.

If you have any questions you want to ask the guests or you have any
of your own comments about a topic, please call the show toll free when
we're live at (888) 514-2100. If you have a show idea or know someone
that could be a guest on the show (that could be you!) contact me at
<roy@easyflight.com>.

Hope you get a chance to listen in!

[MattPearson]

Greg, I love ya, but that was the most annoying techno-bable I have heard in a while. I wander how many people have ever experienced a "bunt over from abrupt power off in a low thrust line gyro?" Or that the "low thrust line gyros flying out there are power on stability augmented" and if the power is off, "they are now unstable."(specifically refering to Dominators) That is a load of crap. Why not just say that CLT with a properly designed stab will be stable and when streamlined IS the most efficient... period!
And why not say Magni gyros are not CLT and so they use a very heavy rotor and a large stab which forces the gyro to fly in a stable manner. Why not say that the cost of these counteracting forces is decreased efficiency throughout the flight envelope. Why not just call a spade a spade and stop this dancing around the issue all in the name of selling your brand!
Magnis are great machines that obviuosly have a great track record, but enough is enough.

[barnstorm2]

Also on that show is Lowell Farrand, First Soft Wing Test Pilot.

This is a FANTASTIC interview I suggest listening to the show.

It turns out that the first powered parachute was made from a Benson Gyro!!

[mceagle]

An excellent article by Greg on the talk back radio show, spoken in such a way that it could soak into even the thickest skin.
Lesser experienced pilots and designers would do well to listen carefully.
I have little experience with high C of M machines but that which I have had suggests that Greg is quite correct in that these machines are unstable power off, in such a way that could be quite lethal for beginner or low time pilot. Of course an experienced pilot would have no trouble controlling the aircraft in such a situation but most experienced pilots can fly anything.
I do not know whether or not you have gyro competitions over there in the States, but the power-off landing competitions that we have clearly demonstrate power-off stability and controlability of different Gyros. The "daddy long legs" are the most unstable in pitch and yaw, and other gyros with no stabilizer are also noticably unstable in pitch.
For some reason I do not understand, the "daddy long legs" gyros also seemed to have more trouble staying straight on take off, and controlling pitch attitude on take off. (The RAF's also had this problem). I do not know why this is but do not take my word for it, try it yourself.
It is quite interesting to have a white line down the middle of the runway at a fly-inn and watch the gyro's taking off and landing. Even with a mild cross wind, you should be able to keep the nose wheel on that white line, and fly away with the Gyro tracking that line until you wish to turn away. The gyro should also take off without any discernable 'lurch' in pitch or yaw.
I would suggest that Greg did not say "that CLT with a properly designed stab will be stable and when streamlined IS the most efficient" simply because it is not true. Anyhow his discussion was on stability, not efficiency. If efficiency was the issue, I would be curious to know the co-effient of drag of the Magni compared to that of most "daddy long legs". I am not an aerodynamicist but I think the Magni would win hands down.

[Thumpernator]

Did the show go about 5 hours?

[barnstorm2]

Hey Dave,

I just ordered 2 of your helicopters. Do they come with the fishing line?

[Udi]

I was finally able to listen to Greg's interviews on Ultra Flight Radio. This is very interesting stuff. I agree with some of Greg’s arguments and disagree with others. We were discussing stability issues recently on Norm's forum, and I don't think we've got a consensus yet. Obviously, my opinions are the only correct ones ;D but everyone is entitled to their own opinions. At the end of the day what's really important is that the Magnis and the Dominators and the Sparrow Hawks and the CLT Air Commands are all stable and safe gyros so as a group we are making a good progress; even if we have our own ideas on which design is best. Now we've only got to find a way to stop RAF Marketing from selling their death traps RAF 2000. How come nobody has taken them to court yet?

Udi-