Correct rotor trim

[Timchick]

Is there any way to determine what the correct rotor trim tension should be without flying the gyro? Is an in-flight adjustable trim really necessary on a single place gyro or just a gee-whiz gadget?

[Doug Riley]

Tim, it's a fine art to preset the spring and get it close right away. There's a tremendous difference among brands of rotor blades in the tension they require. Different control stick designs and prerotators may impose biases from the weight of their components, too. If you're very experienced with the particular brand you're setting up than perhaps you can get close.

Fortunately, the pressures from even a badly misadjusted spring aren't so great that the gyro is unmanageable. Flying a gyro with the springs out of whack (or missing completely!) is not for newbies, however -- you need the confidence to believe that the control weirdness is the machine, not something YOU are doing.

If you're new at this, get an experienced pilot to test-fly and adjust the spring(s). A few flights up and down the runway are all that's needed.

Flight-adjustable trim is a mere luxury in routine flight in a single-place gyro. There's a school of thought, however, that observes that a trim control could act as an emergency backup control system in the event your regular control system broke. Since that's happened a few times with fatal results (three right there in Forida that I know of), it's an idea worth considering. Making your control system bulletproof is an even better idea -- this is no place to save weight or money.

[Timchick]

Thanks Doug. When the time comes maybe I can get test pilot Ron Awad to do some flight testing.

[birdy]

You mean me ferels a 'luxury appointed' gyro Doug?

[Doug Riley]

With an ELECTRIC start 912S and all those steam guages? A regular flyin' limousine, Birdy. Or maybe a high-end Harley would be a better comparison.

[birdy]

Its only a 80 horse 912[ or more like 60] .
Steam guages???

[Doug Riley]

"Steam guage" is just an expression for instruments that have dial readouts.

[Rotornut]

Doug I enjoyed your Visit at Bensen Days Thanks So Much For Making it down.
I Hope to see you in July at Mentone. MJ :)

[birdy]

I gota use 'steam' gauges Doug, I can't read.

[Doug Riley]

MJ, as we say up here, I had a "wicked good" time at B-Days. Take care of yourself and keep getting better.

[Rotornut]

Thanks Doug, Always good to see you. Look forward to a fly-in that I can sit and Chat. Take Care MJ :)