VW Gyrobee?

[jucie]

Did anyone put an air cooled VW engine on a Gyrobee?
Can it be done? Is it dangerous?
Ralph?

[]s
O JuciÊ
São Paulo, Brazil - www.jucie.com.br

[jucie]

The answers posted elsewere:

Ralph 01-14-2004 @ 11:10 PM
Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Apr 2003

The airframe is not stressed to carry the weight of a 4-cylinder VW and a complete re-design (not just throwing in the odd brace here and there, would be required.

The airframe could accomodate a 2-cylinder version of the VW but none of those engines, operating direct-drive, have the torque to fly the aircraft.

Ralph



DougRiley 01-15-2004 @ 1:35 PM
Super Duper BS'er
Posts: 414
Joined: Apr 2003

Yes, there's no point in building an airframe that was specifically laid out to allow a five-foot prop, when you'll be using a direct-drive VW. The VW must rev in the mid-3000's or above to create the power to fly a gyro. That limits prop diameter to a little over 4 feet, hence the 'Bee's tall mast is unnecessary and the engine placement is far higher than optimum.

Also, with a flat-four engine, the 90-degree mast angle of the 'Bee is unnecessary. You're better off with a raked-back mast as used on Bensen and Bensen-derived gyro frames.

Use a Bensen/Brock frame and add a Herron tail or tall tail with centered HS to provide positive pitch stability.



jucie 01-15-2004 @ 9:58 PM
Member
Posts: 33
Joined: Jul 2003

Thank both of you for insigthful answers.

[]s
O JuciÊ
São Paulo, Brazil - www.jucie.com.br