FIANNALY!!! My CLT First Flights

[Rotor-Head]

Here is the video from some of my first flights after converting my HTL Air Command to the CLT Elite. Whoohoo!!! I got up at 4:50am and took off at 6am.

I hope you enjoy my litte music video:

http://www.rotor-head.com/movies/flying/clt_4_30_05/clt_4_30_05.html

[KenSandyEggo]

Very professional-looking video! That was "kahoowul." (California-ese for "cool"). I assume you're in Jacksonville, FL. I thought Florida was all flat. Those hills around the airfield looked nice. Great camera-work and editing also. I had to shut off the sound. My wife was asleep and I couldn't get the volume low enough. I'll listen to it tomorrow.

[spaceman spiff]

Very nice video!

[Greg Mitchell]

Rotor-Head,
Way to Go!
Top Shelf Shawn, only complaint I've got is I can never save your 'flicks'. Downloaded what Tim has of yours on his server. Would be real keen to add this one to my library.
It's All Good Mate, upgraded craft clt, you flyin and the way you craft your vids. Sound tracks a 'ripper', what's the name of the band?
Cheers,
Mitch.

[Echo]

.....it sounded like 'Offspring' (?). Great video!!

[CLS447]

Shawn, I tried a 3 blade wood prop a long time ago on my 447. Bill Parsons said I would like it better than the Ultra prop. It was non adjustable...I hated it , it bogged my engine. I sent it back & put the Ultra back on.

If you wanted a good prop that adjusts very easily, you should get an IVO ultralight.

What is that prop & how do you like it?

You said that the controls seem looser..... Did you use the scissors on the control rods?

Depending on which holes you put the rods on, this will either speed up or slow down the stick ratio. I think with the straight tubes it is 1:1.

Where do you have the tubes? Lower on the outside & uppers in the middle?

BTW Excellent job on that video!

[CLS447]

One more thing.... I wonder if your response would be the same as John Stevens'(Screw) when he replace his Brock blades with Dragon Wings.

It went something like this......WOW !

Ask him about it.

[WindRyder06]

Shawn,
One of the best video's I have seen with a gyro!! You do some very nice work. I would like to down load it so I can take my laptop and show others....

I am Impressed!! That is not easy to come by from me....

Chris

[Gary_in_Orygun]

I didn't see the answer to the Jacksonville question. Shawn is in Jacksonville, Oregon. No flat land horizons in western Oregon, from north to south.

[Rotor-Head]

I assume you're in Jacksonville, FL.
(about 20 miles off the northern California border).

[Rotor-Head]

Sound tracks a 'ripper', what's the name of the band?
Cheers,
Mitch.

Mitch the band is called "FM Static" and the song I used is "All The Days".

I'm glad the video is being enjoyed. I love doing it. ...shawn

[_MOL_]

great video, wish I could do the same.

[Rotor-Head]

Shawn, I tried a 3 blade wood prop a long time ago on my 447. Bill Parsons said I would like it better than the Ultra prop. It was non adjustable...I hated it , it bogged my engine. I sent it back & put the Ultra back on.

If you wanted a good prop that adjusts very easily, you should get an IVO ultralight.

What is that prop & how do you like it?

You said that the controls seem looser..... Did you use the scissors on the control rods?

Depending on which holes you put the rods on, this will either speed up or slow down the stick ratio. I think with the straight tubes it is 1:1.

Where do you have the tubes? Lower on the outside & uppers in the middle?

BTW Excellent job on that video!

I was flying with my 3 bladed GSC, but I am going to go back to my 2 blade (60"x38") which worked great for me before).

Yes, I am using the scissor assembly on the control rods, and I am using the configuration that Air Command recomends. The comments wasn't really about respons and sensitivity, but rather "ease" of stick movement. It just seemed to feel "looser" and easier to move. I would assume because therre is slightly less drag on the rotors now.

[Udi]

...The comments wasn't really about respons and sensitivity, but rather "ease" of stick movement. It just seemed to feel "looser" and easier to move. I would assume because therre is slightly less drag on the rotors now.
Rotor drag hasn't changed, Shawn. The rotor couldn't care less what gyro configurations is flying under it. What may have changed is your control ratio. I assume you haven't changed your stick mechanism right? When you added the scissors you have changed the stick to rotor head control ratio. Have you changed the cross on the torque bar? I had to tweak the distance between the control rods on the cross to achieve the desired control ratio in my old air command when I converted to CLT.

If you get the control rods closer together that increases your control ratio - which makes the stick a little stiffer (in roll) and the rotor "feel" more responsive. There is no need to do anything about it **if you get the full range, in degrees, from side to side**. I don't remember what the full range is but I am sure someone can pitch in with the right number.

Udi

[Brian Jackson]

Wow! Hymen breast!... I meant, I'm Impressed! Great video. I always enjoy seeing you fly and admire the cool video editing. Very nice.

Brian Jackson

[Rotor-Head]

The rotor couldn't care less what gyro configurations is flying under it. What may have changed is your control ratio. I assume you haven't changed your stick mechanism right?
Yeah, you're right...

I do have the shorter cross over on my torque bar and I have the ratio set to the same basic range as it was before I put the CLT kit on. I may still play with the ratio a bit...

[animal]

Here is the video from some of my first flights after converting my HTL Air Command to the CLT Elite. Whoohoo!!! I got up at 4:50am and took off at 6am.

I hope you enjoy my litte music video:

http://www.rotor-head.com/movies/flying/clt_4_30_05/clt_4_30_05.html
Very Cool Video, great work! looks like you where haveing a blast flying it.
keep us informed on how it's doing for you.

Tim H.

[Gyro-nut]

Shawn; yet another great video. We've chatted via email a while back about your web-site. I just joined the forum yesterday.... glad to see your a member here as well.
I agree with the gang; is there any way to download your vids? 'cause they rock man! :)


Jim Aikman (newbee to the gyro world)

[Brian Jackson]

Shawn; yet another great video. We've chatted via email a while back about your web-site. I just joined the forum yesterday.... glad to see your a member here as well.
I agree with the gang; is there any way to download your vids? 'cause they rock man! :)


Jim Aikman (newbee to the gyro world)
Clear your Temporary Internet Files, revisit the video page, wait for the video to fully load, then open your Temporary internet files folder and the .MOV file will be there. Copy it to another folder on your HD.

Welcome to the forum!

[Rotor-Head]

Thanks for the compliments.

I will start putting my videos in another folder that will make it easy to download... Stand By and I will post a link and intructions.

[Rotor-Head]

Okay, I made a link to download my movies:

Goto: http://www.rotor-head.com/download/

To Save:
PC - right click, save to hard drive
MAC - control/click, save to hard drive

[rehler]

Shawn,

That is a grat video! It would be very good for new gyro fans to watch, as it shows all the typical steps: trailering, mounting blades, flying, etc. It should be on the PRA site for all to see.

Compliments to whoever ran the camera and did the editing! And the pilot too!

[Rotor-Head]

Shawn,

That is a grat video! It would be very good for new gyro fans to watch, as it shows all the typical steps: trailering, mounting blades, flying, etc. It should be on the PRA site for all to see.

Compliments to whoever ran the camera and did the editing! And the pilot too!

Thanks.. a friend of mine (Philly) shot for me (since I was obviously flying) and I edited it.

I would be happy for the PRA to put anything I do (or anyone does) on their site to raise interest in the GyroPlane.

[MikeBoyette]

Shawn,
Have you got anybody close to you that has a set of DW's? I would be interesed to see if you were to try a set if you would note the improved performance that Screw did on his VW. If I remember a set of 22' DW's are almost the same weight as your Bensen's. Just a thought. By the way very good video. I for one enjoyed the music.

[Al_Hammer]

Nice Video, Shawn! Not my kind of music, but the video editing is great.
My hangar mate has an almost identical gyro, BTW. He switched from Skywheels to Dragon Wings and surprised me by complaining about the DW's.
He noticed that he did not seem to have as much rotor inertia in the flare as before and this took him a while to adjust to when flaring.

[MattPearson]

Sweet video Shawn!

[Rotor-Head]

Shawn,
Have you got anybody close to you that has a set of DW's? I would be interesed to see if you were to try a set if you would note the improved performance that Screw did on his VW.

None around that I know of. How do Dragon Wings compair to Sport Rotors? I am close to Sport Copter here in Oregon, but I doubt they would let me throw a pair on...

[Rotor-Head]

Nice Video, Shawn! Not my kind of music, but the video editing is great.

Al, what sort of music would you pick? I do these videos mainly for fun (and for my documentary), but I also do them on my web site in order to spark interest in the gyroplane. Since it appears that most gyro pilots are middleaged and above (from the polls), I really should be selecting more appropriate music, but I am 33 and am trying very hard not to get any older, so that's why the music is what it is... My goal is to make the viewer happy, so shoot me some ideas.... cheers

[Al_Hammer]

Moon River, or maybe Bing Crosby singing White Christmas.

Seriously, check this thread on a helicopter forum.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=170617

[Brian Jackson]

Shawn,
I'd love to see a video of your's sometime done to the tune of 'Red Barchetta' by RUSH:

Wind in my hair
shifting and drifting
mechanical music
adrenaline surge...

[Greg Mitchell]

Thanks Shawn,
Saving video now. Stay young Brother! Fly Safe.
Mitch.

[scottessex]

Shawn, What video player do I need to download to watch the video's?
I haven't had any luck with any and can't open the files. WTF? :confused:

[Greg Mitchell]

Scott,
QuickTime.

Shawn,
Thanks for the download link. So much better to use up the whole screen and watch whenever we want, like the Croman, the kids love this one too.
Cheers,
Mitch.

[scottessex]

Thanks Greg.

[WindRyder06]

Scott,
Do you need G-force on your computer too :rolleyes:

Chris

[scottessex]

yeah I'm having about the same luck! :mad:

Do they make a "retro-fit G-force" I'd be all over it! :D

My computer tanked on me a couple of weeks ago, so I flushed it (nice technical terms, huh?) and installed winXP, it still isn't right, my Brother will be visiting this week, and he knows alot more about computers than I do, He fixes my computer, I fix his Motorcycle, then everyone is happy! :)

[WindRyder06]

Larry will not sell just the the landing gear or any other part for the Butterfly by itself. I will be glad when we can meet half way and go do some flying. Greg and I have had fun around here..

Chris

[scottessex]

:) Looks to me like y'all have been having too much fun! :)

[Kevin_Richey]

None around that I know of. How do Dragon Wings compair to Sport Rotors? I am close to Sport Copter here in Oregon, but I doubt they would let me throw a pair on...

Hey Shawn:

Since you have shared your photos, video, and conversion to CLT with everyone on the forum here, I'd let you try my set of Dragon Wings if you come up to the Portland area for one of the Chapter 73 meetings.

I have to work weekends, so we could get them to you VIA Paul Plack or Bob Johnson, our chapter Prez and VP...

What size rotors do you fly? 23'? 25'? I've got both...

Make yourself known to Jim Vanek when you're there, and that you are an accomplished flier, and tell him what kind of rotors you fly and that you'll be flying some DW's, and maybe he'd then let you try a set of Sport Rotors!

[Rotor-Head]

Hey Shawn:

Since you have shared your photos, video, and conversion to CLT with everyone on the forum here, I'd let you try my set of Dragon Wings if you come up to the Portland area for the Chapter 73 meeting.

I have to work weekends, so we could get them to you VIA Paul Plack or Bob Johnson, our chapter Prez and VP...

What size rotors do you fly? 23'? 25'? I've got both...

Make yourself known to Jim Vanek when you're there, and that you are an accomplished flier, and tell him what kind of rotors you fly and that you'll be flying some DW's, and maybe he'd then let you try a set of Sport Rotors!

That sounds great. I actually just spoke to Jim on the phone (5 minutes ago). I am going to try and make it up to the meeting, but I need to get out of some other work obligations first. If I don't, I can make it next month, or just make a special trip up to play with rotors anytime.

I have 24' Bensen blades and Brock style hub bar (10' blades and 4' hub). I'd love to try on some other blades and see the differences.

Thanks so much for the offer. I'll do a video production on it and post it.

[Kevin_Richey]

That sounds great. I actually just spoke to Jim on the phone (5 minutes ago). I am going to try and make it up to the meeting, but I need to get out of some other work obligations first. If I don't, I can make it next month, or just make a special trip up to play with rotors anytime.

I have 24' Bensen blades and Brock style hub bar (10' blades and 4' hub). I'd love to try on some other blades and see the differences.

Thanks so much for the offer. I'll do a video production on it and post it.

I have Tues/Wed off, if you wanted to come up on those days to do a full-blown video production for gyro rotorblades comparison. It sounds like something a lot of folks around the world would like to see.

What did Jim V. say? I'm guessing you asked him about his Sport Rotors...

We might be able to find a set of McCutchen Skywheels for you to try out also...

[Friendly]

More!More! More!

[Rotor-Head]

I have Tues/Wed off, if you wanted to come up on those days to do a full-blown video production for gyro rotorblades comparison. It sounds like something a lot of folks around the world would like to see.

What did Jim V. say? I'm guessing you asked him about his Sport Rotors...

We might be able to find a set of McCutchen Skywheels for you to try out also...

I actually did not ask Jim about trying his blades. I kinda feel like blades are a man's very prized possesion and I do not want to put anyone in a situation they are not comfortable with by loaning rotor blades. If it is offered, I will accept.

I would love to do a video on blade compairisons.... The only problem is that my old Bensen Blades have so many rivets in them, that I may just fly away with the best set I try on and not look back... he he. Any for sale or trade?

[Rotor-Head]

More!More! More!
Soon, Soon, Soon!

[scottessex]

Hey I down loaded the video, along with quicktime, Looks really good shawn, real profesional looking. :)
actually I am looking forward to checking out the rest of the movies on the site. Good Job!

[Rotor-Head]

I have gotten a few emails of people that don't have a high speed connections, so here are a few stills from the video.

http://www.rotor-head.com/movies/flying/clt_4_30_05/clt_4_30_05.html

It also looks like I will be filming a rotor blade compairison video this month as well. I look forward to it and will post a video when done.

[Friendly]

Shawn, I showed your video to a friend tonight and she said it was one of the best she has seen so far. It really is great. Could you do something to the theme of the Good the bad and the ugly. It is a lot longer so the movie wont end so soon. Thanks for sharing. You are doing the things that attract new people to our sport. God Bless

[CLS447]

Are you ever gonna give us the "how much more I like the CLT" thing before you make more movies, swap more props, & start comparing rotor blades ?

Right now I think that is what we're really interested in. Then it would be nice to see you improve your performance.

What differences other than sitting up higher & looser feeling controls have you actually made note of ?

C'mon Shawn, I'm really counting on your test results !

[scottessex]

geeze Chris, and we were off on such a tangent! :)

Do you think you might do a CLT conversion the the little red 447?

[CLS447]

Scott, I am waiting for Shawn's testimonial !

[Rotor-Head]

Scott, I am waiting for Shawn's testimonial !
don't worry, it's coming. I am waiting on new cheek plates (to move my rotor head back a few inches inches). Although it flew fine, It is just a bit tail heavy and did not want to fly up and away. My hang test showed a nose up attitude about 1 degree past recomended.

Once those parts come in from Air Command, I will install, rehang, then I will fly for real. I just don't want to fly too much until I know I am all within the safe operating limits.

Once That is all done, I will put my 2 bladed prop back on and I will have some cruise and climb compairisons. How's that?

[scottessex]

Shawn, for 1 degree you should move the rotorhead about 3/8 of an inch.
Just a FYI.
And how do you like that GSC prop?

[Rotor-Head]

Shawn, for 1 degree you should move the rotorhead about 3/8 of an inch.
Just a FYI.
And how do you like that GSC prop?
Air Command wants me to hang at 2 1/2 degrees nose down, with a 5 degree total tolerance (0 degrees to 5 degrees for fuel burn). I am 1 degree past this tolorence (6 degrees) (basical 3 1/2 degree past the recomended center). Doug and I figured what cheek plate will center everything up nicely.

I really love my GSC 2 blade (60"x38"). My GSC 3 blade (ground adj) is good as well, but I am waiting on my TinyTach so I can realy dial it in. I'm sure I'll love it too. TinyTach is due in by the end of this weeek and my new cheek plates should be the same or early next week.

[scottessex]

Cool, sounds like you have it all under control. :)

[Rotor-Head]

Cool, sounds like you have it all under control. :)
I sure hope so, I'm really ready to starty REALLY flying again...