Butterfly Down Under

[Greg Mitchell]

G'Day Gents,

Butterfly is registered and Test Flight Conducted. Test Pilot ASRA Instructor, Geoff Jamieson stated it was THE BEST GYRO HE HAS EVER FLOWN. ( 30 years flying gyros.) I'll get on with my solo regime. There will be full details in next ASRA Gyro News and up comming Pacific Flyer Magazine. I will forward same to PRA for possible inclusion in Rotorcraft Magazine.
Includes Stratomaster Smart singles instrumentation and battery installed in Pod. The US Butterfly is lighter than mine.
This aircraft is a credit to Larry Neal. Thanks Larry....Exceptional.
Regards,

Mitch.

[Victor Duarte]

great congrats greg
not only nice and pure, but on your opinion one of the best gyros
have fun and fly safe

[Vance]

Congratulations!!! That is a very handsom machine. I know it is not easy to build at such a distance. Good job on the weight. Thank you, Vance

[mrford61]

Very good Mitch!!

What a sweet looking gyro.

[ventana7]

Mitch,
It looks great.

Rob

[Heron]

Good going Mitch, enjoy your Butterfly!
Heron

[Greg Mitchell]

Gents,
Turns out the scales I borrowed to weigh the Butterfly, are 'dicky'. It has given me three different weights. The lowest reading was 236lbs up to 253.8lbs. I'll re post when I get it sorted. Sorry for any confusion.

I did some hops yesterday (7 or 8) had a break and went back out, the next lift off was higher than I would have liked (20-25 feet)and resulted in me getting behind the power curve and bouncing her in. I wasn't getting the stick forward enough. Butterrfly was very forgiving, suspension is great. Wind had picked up from 5 -7 knots upto 10 to 15 variable, should have called it quits after the first session. I think a fly around might have given a better oportunity for recovery but that's the subject of another thread.

Mitch.

Edited. Rang my instructors Dad to discuss this morning and he said I was closer to 40 feet. Needless to say I'm not in such a hurry and have a far more subdued approach from here on in. Nil wind. And a lot more balancing on mains before moving forward. Nil wind, Nil wind. Cheers.

[birdy]

Take it easy Mitch,if you trash that machine I'll fly my RAF to Tazy and bash you myself. :mad: ;) :D
Life can be long,make the most of it. :)

[bones]

Mates like that who needs enemies ayyy Mitch :)

[Aussie_Paul]

Way to go Mitch. Take care. Quite a lot of water under the bridge since you first came to see me approx 3 years ago. Great stuff.

Firebird has stalled a little, but is getting back on track. My CASA legal political problems has really drained me, but that is getting sorted out as well.

I am proud of your success mate.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Sonnyj]

ATTABOY Greg very cool very nice a dream come true! :D
Is that you flying.Great job. :D :D

[Greg Mitchell]

Thanks to all,
Birdy, the thing going through my mind at the time, was don't bend this Butterfly. Came down on tail, on to left wheel, bounced on to right wheel and nearly went over. Last thing a mate had said before going out second time was 'throw that stick the other way if she looks like going over". That aggressive left stick, then centering I am certain pulled me back and prevented a rollover in the final second/s. I send you the email I sent to Bones, sure he won't mind. Sonny, thats my instructor doing the test flight.
I appreciate the feed back guys, now I have to focus on a measured solo regime and make sure I get Butterfly to next Nationals at Cooma, NSW end of March, in one piece, so Birdy and Bones can fly her and give me a Musterers impression and flight review.
Ciao,
Mitch.

[birdy]

Good work Mitch,the best thing bout a gyro stick is ,no matter wot we do,it'll always want to go to the correct corrective position by itself,wether fly'n or on the ground.
Just DON"T CHOKE THE STICK.