Plans built Dominator

[Bill Freiburger]

Would like to talk to anybody who has built a Dominator from plans.

Bill

[Russell]

OK what do you need to know?????
Russ

[Bill Freiburger]

Russ,

Things to watch out for.

Things you would do differently.

BTW nice looking Dominator!

Thanks,

Bill

[GyroRon]

Where in the heck did you take that pic Russ? looks like Hangars from outer space! Show me more pics of those funky hangars

[Russell]

;D Lets see,
Things I would do different: Eletric start,Without it you need two people to start on pavement, Electric trim: I flew a two place with it and I liked it much better.
Be sure to add a step you can see the chromemoly tube in the picture. I really like the two place machine better, But this one was a ROCKET!!! 618 rotax power!
If you get a hyd. prerotator get the belt thing sorted out and you will love it. I had 0 problems with mine. I take that back I had one spring break on the hyd. prerotator. Makes a bad noise when the bendex engages in flight or should I say tries to.
I sold this machine some time ago.
Ron the hangers are in Inverness Fl. I rented the one I am in front of. I just missed buying it $15000 was the sale price.
Russ

[Bill Freiburger]

Thanks Russ,

When you built yours from plans was it a straight forward process, easy to work thru? Any suprises?

Was there a material list included? How about finding the materials needed to complete?

I have a small shop for my buisness ie, Mig Welder Band Saw, Torch, Drill Press and Shopsmith etc. Any thing else needed?

Bill

[Phil_Ruffin]

Russell, I would also like to know more about those dome shaped hangars. How tall, floor diameter. kit or scratch built. How bout a photo of the inside and with the door open.

[Russell]

Bill, I live 114 miles from Ernie's shop. I can say I made a lot of trips down to his place to see some gyro's. So It was easy for me to see how to make parts and how they went together. Also I bought the steel kit so all the landing gear and control assy. was already made. My suggestion is to go to a flyin and take LOTS of pictures. Come to Bensen days and I can talk to you all day about stuff I had to do. Its hard to remember what gave me a hard time from 4 years ago. At the flyin I can look at a gyro and then tell you how much of a pain in the A@# that part was to make.

.
.
Phil I was renting that hangar but here is a pic of a 31 ft motorhome and a ultralite Dominator inside the motorhome took up most of the inside maybe 5 ft to spare?
Russ

[Bill Freiburger]

;D Wow, I just received my plans and manual for the Dominator Single place Gyro.

;) Ernie, thanks for your time on the phone, I will try and not be to much of a pest. One thing I can say about Ernie, its either black or white, there is no gray in his answers to my questions.

Russell, thank you for your replys to my post.

If anybody else has any thoughts or advice on this type of project, let me know.

Bill

Thanks

[robertstodaro]

I didn't build mine, but it's my fourth gyro and I have my opinions.

1. dominator is a great machine.

2. Be sure to give yourself enough leg room.

3. Don't change the brake steering design, get used to it.
It won't take long and it works great.

4. build an inflight trimspring adjustment. A screw knob
will be fine.

5. I need 3 more inches of windshield. I'm 6feet tall.

6. Set the exaust above or below the horz stab.
Mine blows on the stab and leaves streaks.

7. Extend the lower aft keel beyond the rudder anti-servo tab.
I rolled mine off the trailer and stuck the tab in the dirt
and crumpled the rudder.

8. Keep the hydraulic prerotator. It's much better than
any other system I've used.

9. electric start would be a real plus.

10. get a gascolator. I had 2 dead stick landing last week
due to a clogged fuel filter. (non see-thru type)

that's it from me, have fun

[robertstodaro]

One more thing.

Make the insturment panel a stand alone unit so that

the pod can be removed for open machine flying in nice weather.

[Bill Freiburger]

Robert,

Your list has been very helpful and I am planning on implementing some of the ideas.

Many thanks to you and the others for replying to this thread. If you have any more thoughts or ideas, please let me know.


Bill Freiburger

[robertstodaro]

HORSEPOWER ,, LOTS OF IT.

use at least 65hp, I like rotax water cooled engines

[Neil Hintz]

Here is an electric trim you can make yourself, Honda car seat adjustment, even comes with a switch to mount on you stick. See attached

Neil