Marchetti 2 [Archive] - Rotary Wing Forum

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Screw

11-04-2003, 03:15 AM

Hi All, Does anyone know anything about a Marchetti 2?   Is it a Kit?  Plans built?  Know anyone who has one?  Wants to sell one?  Flight characteristics?  Company that makes it?   Feed me!!!  I need info.

GyroRon

11-04-2003, 09:01 AM

First off Johnny boy, It uses a certified lycoming engine - which is a good thing and a bad thing. It will have a pretty high fuel burn rate - should be over 7 gallons per hour. It will cost much more for parts if it ever needs service. But it IMHO is a more comforting choice of power when flying over the woods! Second this machine is SLOW. Take off climbout and cruise and decents to landings are all at 45 MPH. They don't like to go faster, and high speed may be unsafe in them. It was this type of machine that Jamie Bodie was in when he was nearly killed in the crash a few years back. Other than that they are pretty nice. Side by side seating, low to the ground, twin rudders, and so on. Don't know of any for sale, or where you could get a kit either. I don't think I would personally be interested in one due to the slow speed it flys at.

quadrirotor

11-04-2003, 10:13 PM

it seems to me that the Marchetti is a variation of the Sportster of Martin Hollman (aircraft Design inc). http://www.pra.org/directory/sportster.html :)

Hognose

11-21-2003, 11:09 AM

Here are some pictures of a Marchetti from Bensen Days '99. Dunno which version of the Marchetti this is... the pictures are not super high quality, but you get a general idea of the layout. It's an open frame, generally Bensen-looking critter, but with a tall/cruciform tail. http://www.gate.net/~rich/bensen_99.htm cheers -=K=-

quadrirotor

11-24-2003, 10:55 PM

no comment!

Hognose

11-25-2003, 06:39 AM

Quad, is... er, was that a Marchetti? Date of mishap? Pilot OK? (Wanna look it up). cheers -=K=-

quadrirotor

11-25-2003, 06:52 AM

i have no info, must look at stats from FAA accidents reports... If you want a gyro OK: stick at the Martin Hollman' design of the Sportster...

jamiebodie

11-25-2003, 08:28 AM

I can help with who was in that Marchetti when it crashed as it was myself as the passenger/student and Si Smith as the PIC.   Here are more pics and a brief explanation. http://portaparty.net/bodie/crash_page.htm

Hognose

11-26-2003, 04:09 PM

[profound expression of religious faith and wonderment] Jamie, I'm glad you're OK! Were all the injuries listed yours? Looking at the remains of the gyro -- and reading your story -- you are fortunate to be alive. But I guess you know that. NTSB (http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001211X10526&key=1) hangs the probable cause on Si, but I think that the design or at least the setup of that particular craft bears some of the blame. One shouldn't have a profound pitching moment with the addition or removal of power; and the pitching moment it has should be recoverable with the flight controls. If it's easy to get in a mode it's hardm or impossible, to get out of, it isn't a safe airplane. You realise, that that craft could have lost power at speed, and the outcome would have been the same -- a parabolic descent despite anything the pilot-turned-passenger did. I was quite reminded of the story of the H. Mignet Pou de Ciel or Flying Flea. Early Fleas had an unsuspected irreversible pitchdown producing a similar parabolic plunge. Aerodynamic research uncovered the failure mode and made the stubby little planes safe. Only after loss of life, unfortunately. Anyway, I'm glad that you have done so well post-crash. If you gotta bounce, best to bounce back... cheers -=K=-