Florida heat

[gyro john]

Question just got a classic 503 air command project wondering after my training what would be the max ambient temp or humidity to maintain safe operation. on a 3000 ft grass strip in florida?

[Aussie_Paul]

Question just got a classic 503 air command project wondering after my training what would be the max ambient temp or humidity to maintain safe operation. on a 3000 ft grass strip in florida?

1st question will be, how heavy are you and the 2nd what diameter rotor system?

Aussie Paul. :)

[Alan Uhr]

Gyro John, I live in Florida. Have for 35 years. Started flying Gyros in 1986 with Bill Parsons. My 1st Gyro was a Brock/Bensen type with a Rotax 503 dual carb at 50 HP. 23 foot Sky Wheels (fiberglass) rotorblades. At that time I weighed about 250 lbs. Now I'm down to 253lbs. I flew at Clearwater Exec airport with a 3000 foot asphalt runway. It never took more than 1200 ft to get off the ground no matter what the temp. That was without a prerotator. I have flown from grass strips of 2000 ft with a Wonderlich pre-rotator. Never had any issues with that. We did a thrust check (pull test) on the Gyro and I pulled 267 lbs static thrust. I had a Brock 8 gal seat tank. While this was probably marginal in some peoples eyes, I was taught to fly the rotorblades not the power. Today, you will see most people flying the power not the blades. I had that machine for 400 flying hours and then sold it to move to a Parson's 2 place machine. I liked the single place better. So much so that I am building another Brock KB2 now. Hope this helps. Alan

[BEN S]

That is a great description, flying the blades not the power! I have a sportcopter Lightning/Vortex hybrid w/ 8 gallon tank and pre-rotator...heavy by most standards and I weigh 210. I have been flying here in the desert heat in temps upwards of 115 degrees in the summer and have not really ever felt like I was lacking. I think you will do fine in Fl. Remember to drinl lots of fluids though!
Ben S

[gyro john]

The command is standard with 23 foot blades I weigh 200 seems like Ill be ok.. Thanks to all for your help gyro people are the most helpful in the world... thanks