Starbee Kits

[REDHORSE556CES]

:confused: I seek the advice of experienced builders/pilots regarding the Starbee kits. In particular the modified main gear width. The original Gyrobee has a stance of 7 ft. 8 in. Starbee offers a modified rolling airframe with a stance of 5 ft. 6 in. The only drawback I can possibly think of is stability on a rough field taxi, landing, takeoff, etc.

Are there any drawbacks to this modified main gear arrangement? Is there any weight gain/loss? Does anyone have any experience with this type of set up?

As my tax return check is on the way, my wallet is starting to heat up and purchase of a kit draws nigh, I would appreciate any advice.

[Brian Jackson]

As I understand it, Ralph designed the original main gear that wide to prevent the ship from rolling over. StarBee sells their kits with the option of using either the original gear or their narrower spring-shock gear.

[KDOG]

I was considering the new shorter width gear as well for a while there, but I decided to stick with the stock since I'm a newbie. If you haven't flown a gyro before, I'd stick with the stock gear for safety. You don't want to spend all that money and time building it and dump it on its side!!

[Doug Riley]

The stock gear width saved me from a likely tipover before I got used to my 'Bee's ground steering. My foray into the ditch next to the runway merely made me feel silly, instead of noticeably poorer.

However, widening the main stance alone has only a modest effect on ground stability. A three-wheeled vehicle falls over, not directly sideways, but sideways-and-forward. Unless you push the nosewheel forward as well, you don't get as much increased stability with wide mains as it might seem.

So, be careful and keep your speed down and rotor under full control whichever gear you use.

[junkyardbear]

Note about Starbee,
At first I ordered from them Pre drilled cluster plates, Keel, Tail Boom, Redun. Mast.
Went together like a Charm...perfect fit...won't have to worry about making nose or tail
wheel plates....what a time saver.
second order , tubing,sheet metal (all cut to size,shape they even notched seat supports
and rudder horn for easy drilling)
now waiting on nose block,nose fork, shock plate ,upper strut fittings and axel inserts.....anyday now.....come on mr. Fed EX man/woman.
Oh yes almost forgot also bought large and small Brackets...plus saddals.
Everything packed nice....I give them 5 stars.
IMO well worth little extra cost.

[gyroman]

Now just get it together and start flying KirBee... :D

[banaari]

Note about Starbee,
At first I ordered from them Pre drilled cluster plates, Keel, Tail Boom, Redun. Mast.
Went together like a Charm...perfect fit...won't have to worry about making nose or tail
wheel plates....what a time saver.
second order , tubing,sheet metal (all cut to size,shape they even notched seat supports
and rudder horn for easy drilling)
now waiting on nose block,nose fork, shock plate ,upper strut fittings and axel inserts.....anyday now.....come on mr. Fed EX man/woman.
Oh yes almost forgot also bought large and small Brackets...plus saddals.
Everything packed nice....I give them 5 stars.
IMO well worth little extra cost.

Damn straight!
I bought the pre-drilled mast, keel, tail, cluster plates and a pile of machined bits... Dana & Laura are excellent to deal with, helluva nice people.
:) :) :)

cheers,
John

[junkyardbear]

Now just get it together and start flying KirBee... :D
Hi Toby,
Just drilled my main tubing, dang pleased.....thanks for tips!
KirBee :)lol

[junkyardbear]

Damn straight!
I bought the pre-drilled mast, keel, tail, cluster plates and a pile of machined bits... Dana & Laura are excellent to deal with, helluva nice people.
:) :) :)

cheers,
John
Hi John,
Yes indeed, they are very nice people.
I like the way you put it better tho:)lol
Have a good one.

[donshoebridge]

:confused: I seek the advice of experienced builders/pilots regarding the Starbee kits. In particular the modified main gear width. The original Gyrobee has a stance of 7 ft. 8 in. Starbee offers a modified rolling airframe with a stance of 5 ft. 6 in. The only drawback I can possibly think of is stability on a rough field taxi, landing, takeoff, etc.

Are there any drawbacks to this modified main gear arrangement? Is there any weight gain/loss? Does anyone have any experience with this type of set up?

As my tax return check is on the way, my wallet is starting to heat up and purchase of a kit draws nigh, I would appreciate any advice.

The narrower gear allows you to put the gyro onto a standard size trailer. The 7'8" gear requires a great deal of muscle and colorfull language to load and unload from a standard width trailer (which I think it's around 7' to the outside).

[Glenn D]

Damn straight!
I bought the pre-drilled mast, keel, tail, cluster plates and a pile of machined bits... Dana & Laura are excellent to deal with, helluva nice people.
:) :) :)

cheers,
John

John,

I'll Double that, Dana is very Easy to deal with, You can speak to him about anything and he'll bend over backwards to accommidate you, Anyone who doesn't want to scratch build, Starbee kits would be my reccomendation for them, I'm about half way through my build and it's been a very enjoyable build.

one Satisfied customer,
Glenn