GyroBee Photos

[gyropilot]

Look what I found when I typed "gyrobee" into Google.com Images:

http://www.airshowphotography.com/OtherCivilian/o03gyrobee-N392JL-1.jpg

http://www.airshowphotography.com/OtherCivilian/o03gyrobee-N392JL-2.jpg

http://www.airshowphotography.com/OtherCivilian/o03gyrobee-N392JL-3.jpg

These photos were taken last yeat at the Olympia Airshow in Olympia, WA. The photographer's web site says:

"I don't know what kind of aircraft the Gyrobee is classified as, but it kind of resembles a helicopter so here or a few images of the Gyrobee. I guess it never gets too warm in that cockpit. "

[Ralph]

Hi Guys!

There were three Gyrobees at Bensen Days this year and you can see them at:

http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/gyro/bobd04.htm

Ralph

[johnmini]

I think I figured out how to post pictures, this is my Star Bee gyro with the new suspension, will try to post more tonight. Ron, thanks for the kick in the butt, should have posted much earlier. John

[GyroRon]

Cool John! It looks real good! Tell me more, show me more!!!

[Brian Jackson]

John,
Are those seat and engine supports anodized? They really look great! Now... more pix please!

[GyroRon]

John, going to need a test pilot? :) Angelo has been trying to get me talked into coming back up there. It was too long of a drive!!! might do a Piper Pacer trip up there when you are ready to fly that bee! You guys both coming to ROC right?

[joeheli]

John: What engine is that one that you have on your bee?

[GyroRon]

that is a Rotax 503 dual carb and dual igntion.

[joeheli]

Nice! Ron That is the same one you took to bensen day?

[GyroRon]

Nope that is a new machine under construction. Same design though.

[KDOG]

Great pictures, gyro pilot. Can you tell me if that is legal ultralight weight??

[johnmini]

With DW's it should be.

[gyropilot]

Great pictures, gyro pilot. Can you tell me if that is legal ultralight weight??KDOG,

With the 23' Dragon Wings I'm using, my Bee currently weighes in at 302 pounds. That includes a 10 gallon tank, spring shocks (not shown in the pictures of this thread), full instrumentation, Icon A22 radio, transponder, GPS, and ELT. I think it would weigh about 294 pounds without the ELT.

Copy of weight and balance sheet is attached.

Regards,

John L.

[KDOG]

Hmmm, 302? So I take it if you took off the options, (5gal tank instead of 10, basic instruments instead of full, etc) it would be legal, just wondering...

[gyropilot]

...it would be legal...
KDOG,

It *is* completely legal... it has an "N" number and an amateur-built experimental airworthiness certificate issued by the FAA. It's not being operated as an UL.

Regards,

John L.

[KDOG]

Gotcha... bear with me, working overtime-midnight shifts at hot glass factory, my brain has been mush this week.

[PW_Plack]

Kevin,

Money-saving tip: Avoid scheduling any flight training when you're having a brain-mush week! I start work at 5AM, and found weeks in which I got inadequate sleep made me an unproductive student.

Later, of course, you'll need to be honest with yourself about flying when your brain is mush... :)

[KDOG]

Oh yes, no flying when brain is mush or your brain will be mush!!! From wrecking...

[Brian Jackson]

Paul,
Did you know your brain was "mush" at the time? Seems like a stupid question, but the madman never believes he's mad. Seems like common sense, but at what point do we recognize we're too tired? In the interest of safety I'm curious.

Brian Jackson

[PW_Plack]

Brian,

I do talk radio, and there are moments when I have to be really sharp to do it well. I know right away when I'm not pulling my weight in a conversation in front of an audience. Your Dad knows during sound check whether he'll have to work hard tonight, or whether it will just flow.

My weeks normally start out reasonably on Monday, and get more hectic by Friday. When I was training for my fixed-wing private, I'd try to book Mondays and Tuesdays. When I flew on Fridays, I'd notice I wasn't sharp. I'd have trouble with landing flares, or find myself taking a little longer on checklists, having to work harder on maintaining constant speeds and altitudes, things like that. I'd cancel sometimes if I knew I was tired, rather than waste the time and money.

If you become frustrated with yourself over tasks which are normally easy, or just "don't get it" when new concepts are presented, step back and ask yourself if you're tired. You'll learn to know yourself. I just have the added advantage of a job which tells me in no uncertain terms how sharp I am today, before I get to the airport. :)