Greg Mitchell
11-19-2004, 02:24 PM
G'Day Gents,
This is a Test Flight review by Geoff Jamieson, ASRA Gyro Instructor.
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BUTTERFLY GYROPLANE TEST FLIGHT REVIEW. By Geoff Jamieson
Recently Greg Mitchell (Mitch) completed building his Butterfly Gyroplane. Designed and manufactured in the USA by Larry Neal. Mitch has the Australian and New Zealand manufacturing and distribution rights. Mitch asked me to test fly his Butterfly.
I have been flying gyroplanes since 1973 and I am an ASRA Gyroplane Instructor. Over the years I have flown many types of gyros, however this was the first time flying a New Generation Centre Line Thrust (CLT) type craft. Without doubt, this is the best gyroplane I have ever flown.
I flew the Butterfly for approximately 20 mins, the craft was flying a little nose high, then landed and adjusted the trim spring and took off again. Magic! The Butterfly is a very responsive gyro, very light (two people can lift her onto a trailer, we did) and it can make very quick decisve manuvers using small quick stick imputs.
Take off run showed just how good the self castering front nose wheel and main suspension behaves even on a rough grass strip. At 6,500rpm and about 35 mph she lifted off and climbs quickly. Normal cruise is about 50 mph but she fly's very well at 40- 45 mph with the Rotax 503, 50 hp engine ticking over at 5,600rpm. This leaves plenty of horses to spare with a 6,800 rpm max. We were all surprised at how quiet it was, largely due to not having to perform at or near the top of the rpm range of the enigine. This will also reduce wear and tear on the Rotax and should afford a longer engine life. My dressed weight is 92-95 kgs and a 100 kg pilot would have no concerns with respect to being under powered in this craft. Butterfly is around 108 kgs empty weight.
When flying at normal cruise and holding the stick steady, add throttle the gyro will climb. When power is reduced the gyro will descend. If the power is cut back to idle the airspeed drops off and the nose comes down slowly to normal approach landing speed.
The second flight lasted 34 minutes and I was flying her hands off in 15 knot variable wind conditions. I put her through an extensive range of manuvers and was very impressed with the craft. There was no stick shake and no shudder, in fact this gyro had no bad habits. The 58" wide wheel base presented no problems and is handy because you can put this gyro on the back of a tray top utility. The seating position is good and blades can be patted up from the seat. Everything worked as it should and in fact exceeded my expectations.
Personally I believe Larry Neal has his finger on the pulse with this design and I told Mitch more than once how good a gyro this is. He has done an excellent job with the building of his Butterfly and should be proud of what he has achieved.
I'll say it again, this gyroplane performed superbly and it is with out doubt the Best Gyroplane I Have Ever Flown.
Geoof Jamieson.
Asra Instructor.
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I haven't flown a circuit yet but have had her at 40 feet and dropped her in hard after getting her behind the power curve and all out of sorts. Nil damage. Hope to get some single seat glider time in tomorrow if conditions are suitable and then try some more balancing and hops.
Cheers,
Mitch.
This is a Test Flight review by Geoff Jamieson, ASRA Gyro Instructor.
.................................................. .................................................. ............
BUTTERFLY GYROPLANE TEST FLIGHT REVIEW. By Geoff Jamieson
Recently Greg Mitchell (Mitch) completed building his Butterfly Gyroplane. Designed and manufactured in the USA by Larry Neal. Mitch has the Australian and New Zealand manufacturing and distribution rights. Mitch asked me to test fly his Butterfly.
I have been flying gyroplanes since 1973 and I am an ASRA Gyroplane Instructor. Over the years I have flown many types of gyros, however this was the first time flying a New Generation Centre Line Thrust (CLT) type craft. Without doubt, this is the best gyroplane I have ever flown.
I flew the Butterfly for approximately 20 mins, the craft was flying a little nose high, then landed and adjusted the trim spring and took off again. Magic! The Butterfly is a very responsive gyro, very light (two people can lift her onto a trailer, we did) and it can make very quick decisve manuvers using small quick stick imputs.
Take off run showed just how good the self castering front nose wheel and main suspension behaves even on a rough grass strip. At 6,500rpm and about 35 mph she lifted off and climbs quickly. Normal cruise is about 50 mph but she fly's very well at 40- 45 mph with the Rotax 503, 50 hp engine ticking over at 5,600rpm. This leaves plenty of horses to spare with a 6,800 rpm max. We were all surprised at how quiet it was, largely due to not having to perform at or near the top of the rpm range of the enigine. This will also reduce wear and tear on the Rotax and should afford a longer engine life. My dressed weight is 92-95 kgs and a 100 kg pilot would have no concerns with respect to being under powered in this craft. Butterfly is around 108 kgs empty weight.
When flying at normal cruise and holding the stick steady, add throttle the gyro will climb. When power is reduced the gyro will descend. If the power is cut back to idle the airspeed drops off and the nose comes down slowly to normal approach landing speed.
The second flight lasted 34 minutes and I was flying her hands off in 15 knot variable wind conditions. I put her through an extensive range of manuvers and was very impressed with the craft. There was no stick shake and no shudder, in fact this gyro had no bad habits. The 58" wide wheel base presented no problems and is handy because you can put this gyro on the back of a tray top utility. The seating position is good and blades can be patted up from the seat. Everything worked as it should and in fact exceeded my expectations.
Personally I believe Larry Neal has his finger on the pulse with this design and I told Mitch more than once how good a gyro this is. He has done an excellent job with the building of his Butterfly and should be proud of what he has achieved.
I'll say it again, this gyroplane performed superbly and it is with out doubt the Best Gyroplane I Have Ever Flown.
Geoof Jamieson.
Asra Instructor.
.................................................. .................................................. ...............
I haven't flown a circuit yet but have had her at 40 feet and dropped her in hard after getting her behind the power curve and all out of sorts. Nil damage. Hope to get some single seat glider time in tomorrow if conditions are suitable and then try some more balancing and hops.
Cheers,
Mitch.