Little Wings in NZ

[aviatakl]

Well, yesterday, Wednesday down here, I had a great meeting with a fellow gyro-naught Barry, who just happens to live in Auckland.
Barry is also in the stages of getting his gear together to build a two place LW like myself. The discussion was very animated and provided us both with a renewed resolve to get these gyro's built.
Barry also had some very good contacts with regard to rotor blades and a local supplier of 4130N tube for the airframe.
Rotor heads came up, and I showed Barry a bearing and my machine shop etc, and how I intend to build my rotor head.
I also brought the subject of wooden rotor blades, and a long time friend, Ted, who was also here for a coffee at the time, offered me his profile router set up for experiment work on weather we could profile cut the airfoil section. Ted also owns a massive shed just south of Auckland that is dormant and this was offered as a place to build our airframes etc. So, look forward to a build string here very soon.

[MechFx]

keep us up to date with your progress.... very interested

[skier]

Definately keep us updated. I am looking at buying a set of plans soon, so it will be good to see a build thread.

[okikuma]

Hello Jim,

Yes, keep us all updated on you and your friend's progress, along with pictures.

What engine are you planning on using?

By the way, NZ is a beautiful country and you Kiwis are great people.

Is Shakespeare Micro Brewery still operating? I still have my certificate and ball cap after drinking all 6 different pints of ales in less than one hour!

Thanks,

Wayne

[MechFx]

There is another Littlewing nearly completed here in OZ, 90% done 90% to go !

cmon Muz......

[WHY]

SUUUUUPER SSSHARP

tONY

[PW_Plack]

That Rotec radial just looks so right on that machine!

[WHY]

Don't it though, give him about 6 more month and he will be flyin' singing YO' SOOO FINE

Tony

[Steelman]

Hi Jim
I am also collecting parts, but for a build of a single place centre line thrust machine.
I have built quite a few components already and have it on three wheels so thats a start.
I am a bit snowed under with other projects at the moment so will hopefully get it sorted this winter.
I would like to catch up at some stage and swap ideas.

[bopflyer]

Hi Wayne, Yes that "Shakespeare" mico brewary is still going, best you come back and try some more of their offerings!!

Great looking LW in Aussie!

[aviatakl]

Well team, I received an email today confirming that the order for the 4130N I had quoted 1 year ago has been reconfirmed at $1.65 more!!!!!

Well, as soon as I know the outcome of a Medical on Monday, I will be placing the order and having the tube bundle delivered. YES a new build!! can't wait.

I intend to put every move and section of the build up here in the builders section, just like Lord Gabadore, but I doubt that I will have the flare and 'unique en son genre' but I will try.

[SamL]

There is another Littlewing nearly completed here in OZ, 90% done 90% to go !

cmon Muz......

Hi Art
Whats the local hoebow got to do with the LW project :puke:

[All_In]

Looking GOOD!!!

Dr. Bruce Charnov is having one built by Ron. I cannot wait until Bruce brings it to San Diego!!

Way to build, please keep us posted...

PS:
We love build threads here!!!!! Hint, hint!

[kolibri282]

I also brought the subject of wooden rotor blades, and a long time friend
I take great interest in wooden blades (which have been discussed extensively in other threads), could you please outline a bit further how you want to build them (profile, dimensions, lay up,....)?

[ricardoramalho]

Hello! I am following the tractor movement too!! I have a question: I know designers don´t like modifications... but... wouldn´t it be quite easy to transform the Little Wing tandem two seat, in a side by side seat? With a few modifications in the cabin sections?

[kolibri282]

...transform the Little Wing tandem ..... with a few modifications...
Quite a few, you have to keep the center of gravity near to where it was and even then the aircraft would have very different characteristics since your wider cabin has a higher flat plate area and different aerodynamic parameters. What would remain from the original design is the tailwheel, the fire bulkhead and the rotor .....;-)

[Alan_Cheatham]

Hello! I am following the tractor movement too!! I have a question: I know designers don´t like modifications... but... wouldn´t it be quite easy to transform the Little Wing tandem two seat, in a side by side seat? With a few modifications in the cabin sections?

Actually someone was working on one although I haven't heard anything about it in a few years. Widening a short tandem fuselage into a side by side can have some undesirable effects, flow separation for one.

.

[WHY]

hi Alan

"flow separation" good point, belive I would want to go with a wide HS and twin rudders.

Tony

[kolibri282]

I would want to go with a wide HS and twin rudders.
There goes the tail section.....;-(

[ricardoramalho]

:phone:I just called a Magni dealer in Portugal... a M16 would cost around 70 000 euros (90 000 dollars)(registration and vat included) :Cry:

so, please, could somebody give an estimate cost for building a LM5 ?
(I know cost calculations can vary a lot for home made machines)
What about the Subaru engine? How cheaper is it than rotax?
The LittleWing designer did not recommend Subaru in an interview, regarding performance... but that great Gyrhino jumping gyro uses Subaru!! Please, help!

[aviatakl]

Ricardo,

The cost of the tubing to build a LW3 down here in New Zealand is around $4000.00NZD. You then have to add on consumables, welding wire, argon gas, Oxy and Acetyl etc.

I do not understand your 'LM5' ?

The subaru engine is heavy compared to many other with same horse power but costs less. plus you have a weight item with the water cooling and radiator etc. It all depends on what you want and what you want to do.

[ricardoramalho]

Thanks Jim, for the tubing budget on the LW3 (4000 NZD)
You are building a fantastic gyro! Congratulations.
What about the rotor system cost and engine?
Would you have an estimate total cost for the LW3?

Good job, Ricardo
ps: I meant LW5, not LM5... sorry:o

[aviatakl]

Ricardo, I have a VW 1800cc engine which is being 'built' by my brother in Australia. The engine is from his Quater Midget race car which he has replaced with a custom built SCAT engine. We will carry out the mods for the aviation end use as directed by GP and some of the suggestions from the AirVW group. Am looking at getting ~90HP from it with a flywheel end re-drive etc.

As far as the rotor system. I intend to build 2 sets of wooden blades. I also have the rotor head material on hand and intend to build that as well.
For some time now I have been working on a 3 blade rotor system, and I am still working on a 'simple' way of constructing this.

[WHY]

Hi Jurgen

"There goes the tail section" your quite right, this points out that there really is no "minor" modification when considering changing from tandem to side by side, it's a re-design condition.

Tony

[kolibri282]

....there really is no "minor" modification when considering changing from tandem to side by side, it's a re-design condition.

Hi Tony,

I felt the same way but that was born out of my engineering knowledge rather than my rotary wing know how which is quite on the theoretical side. It's reassuring that an experienced hand in the forum shares this view.

Cheers,

Juergen

[WHY]

Hi Juergen

"Experienced" only from the stand point of many many years of mistakes and learning the hard way :)

Tony

[Drunia]

:phone:I just called a Magni dealer in Portugal... a M16 would cost around 70 000 euros (90 000 dollars)(registration and vat included) :Cry:

so, please, could somebody give an estimate cost for building a LM5 ?
(I know cost calculations can vary a lot for home made machines)
What about the Subaru engine? How cheaper is it than rotax?
The LittleWing designer did not recommend Subaru in an interview, regarding performance... but that great Gyrhino jumping gyro uses Subaru!! Please, help!

Силовая установка Rotax 912 чуть легче Subaru, весит 110 кг. Двигатели Honda еще легче и надежнее и горючее любят автомобильное.

[ricardoramalho]

Силовая установка Rotax 912 чуть легче Subaru, весит 110 кг. Двигатели Honda еще легче и надежнее и горючее любят автомобильное.

nice lettering :noidea:
I translated with google translate:
"Powerplant Rotax 912 a little easier for Subaru, weighs 110 kg. Honda engines even easier and more reliable and fuel like a car"

[Drunia]

All asked me to write in original on this forum. Excuse me.
I have Honda L-15, 130 h.p., the total weight with screw, radiator, liquid 120 kgs.

[kolibri282]

All asked me to write in original on this forum
Казалось мне, что твой полный текстовый переводчик не является очень лучше, поэтому я попросил, чтобы ты также включал Русский текст, такой, что мы сами могли разъяснить любые сомнительные (непостижимые) части

It seemed to me that your full text translator is not the greatest, therefore I had asked, that you also included the Russian text, such that we ourselves could try to clarify any doubtful parts


Силовая установка Rotax 912 чуть легче Subaru, весит 110 кг. Двигатели Honda еще легче и надежнее и горючее любят автомобильное.

I'll try a translation:
As a powerplant the Rotax 912, which weighs in at 110 kg (252 lb), is just a bit lighter than the Subaru. The Honda engines are also (still???) a bit lighter (than the Subaru??) and more reliable and feel quite happy with automotive grade fuel

[Drunia]

It is Correct, nearly. Honda easier Subaru.
"Силовая Установка" Name the engine with screw. (Power installation).
Clean Subaru works at 3500p/m, but Honda on 5000p/m. Max 6700p/m.
Under 4000p/m (80 h.p.) resources unlimited. I think Honda VTEC.

[aviatakl]

Hi to all who visit.
I am still here, I have had/am having some problems at my place of employment. Not a good position right now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, now that the new year has started and all office staff are back.

Research is still on-going here, however the plan to build a Little Wing has not changed, just getting more cemented. Of particular intrest is the discussion on rotor heads, bushings, bearings, self centering etc. As soon as I have finished the production of my special check valves, I intend to produce some half scale rotor head designs that I have on paper and put them up for discussion.

Chuck, thank you for your insights.

[jm-urbani]

I'll try a translation:
As a powerplant the Rotax 912, which weighs in at 110 kg (252 lb), is just a bit lighter than the Subaru. The Honda engines are also (still???) a bit lighter (than the Subaru??) and more reliable and feel quite happy with automotive grade fuel

The rotax 912 uls does not weights 110 kg it weights 56,6 kg all equipped :

http://www.rotaxservice.com/documents/912Sinfo.pdf

I will start building a LW5 soon and my choice is unfortunately to buy a rotax...
first reason is weight figures and second is I don't know engines and I am not interested in learning engine science ...

I need support from professionals on my airport so I don't have mutch choice this is a rotax
I need ...

I am gonna start eating potatoes and working 2 more hours every day for this ...
on the other hand the TBO is important and I will sleep better knowing that I won't have to do any mechanic engine work .

regards

jean michel

[mercert]

I found this video on youtube yesterday, it appears to be the Little Wing 5 built in OZ that is pictured on this thread on page one. We need to get them to take a quality video of more than 24 seconds though so we can all share in the joy of the new autogyro flying!http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38FGSd1-Vog&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[mercert]

link did not work so here is a second one

Tim


VIDEO0009.mov - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38FGSd1-Vog&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)

[Murray Barker]

Thats Mine, will post some video soon.

[C. Beaty]

Murray, your flying apparatus reminds me of a steak pounding hammer.

When I was a boy, all we had was range beef, about like eating old shoes. The stuff had to be pounded with a serrated head hammer.

Don’t misunderstand, I’m a big fan of Ron Herron and his LWs.

[mercert]

Murray,

She is a gem! Congratulations on building her and getting her in the air! looks like she flies well and i look forward more and longer videos of her flying! try to give us a view while flying from the cockpit video. It will be the first from a Little Wing!

Tim Mercer