How high will it go?

[ToddP]

I just saw this really rough looking old Bensen being sold on e-bay. Currently up to $2,125 and climbing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2464601457&category=26 428

[Chuck Irby]

Todd,

That is a rough one. I can't imagine anyone willing to pay that much for it.

Did you notice the Ultrasport 496 Helicoptor below the gyro? It seems that someone on the forum was looking for an inexpensive heli.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2465126461&category=26 428

[GyroRon]

That is a pile of junk. I wouldn't take it if it were free

[GyroRon]

I also wouldn't have that heli either. The design is good and it is a nice copter but guess what kind of engine powers it???

[Mike Hook]

There is a much better looking benson on ebay now in Washington state and a junk pile in Va for sale( a put together kinda gyro)

Mike Hook

[Chuck Irby]

Ron, I know nothing about the heli. What engine does it have?

[GyroRon]

Hirth F-30 the second most undependable engine to fly. The Mac is number 1

[Chuck Irby]

Ron, I am blown away. I had no idea that the F-30 was not a dependable engine. I had even considered owning one because of how well it performs. I trained in a AC with that engine I believe.

[GyroRon]

Be careful running a Hirth they are full of problems. Poor workmanship is normally the problems with them, stuff like un even crankcase alignment , faulty seals, misaligned parts etc... All this stuff leads to engine outs and they happen alot with Hirth especially the F-30

[Chuck Irby]

Thanx again Ron. This is good to know.

[GyroRon]

Hey but look at this way, there are a FEW people out there that haven't a lick of trouble out of the Hirths. Mike Solano is one of them I believe.....

[Dean_Dolph]

Chuck, Ron is a relatively new comer (I would say less than threes years) as far as gyros are concerned, although he has run far and fast to accomplish a lot in a short period of time and I respect him for that. But in this case he is offering an opinion and only an opinion and his impression. He is not offering facts.

Don't assume I'm sticking up for Hirth because I don't have any personal experience with one either. However, there are gyro veterans with as much as thirty plus years of gyro experience such as Carl Schneider (probably the fastest gyro around), Mike Solano and Dan Leslie (both are BFIs with AC tandem trainers) who seem to be pleased with their Hirths!

There isn't an engine make or type that hasn't had occasional problems and it is more a matter of when, not if, a pilot will have an engine out. Engine discussions are subject to Texas talk where personal preference rather facts are presented. It is a case of which is better a Chevy or a Ford!

Dean Dolph

[GyroRon]

Dean thanks for the good words but just to add to what you said, I have been in aviation since 1995 when I started flying ultralights. I got a little more experience than the 3 years or so I have flown gyros. Hirth engines are not used only on Gyros. Matter of fact I was just talking to a friend who had a engine out landing at a neighboring airstrip due to his F-30 locking up inside - this is a brand new fuel injected F-30 -

I know Mike Solano likes his, I made a point to post something that expressed that, Of course I have not spoke with Mike to ask if he has had problems, But yes I know he likes them. I also know Carl likes them as well, But talking to Carl he told me" they have bugs that have to be worked out".... ?.......

I know Maxie Wildes hasn't had good luck with his. less than 150 hours since new and it has locked up twice along with clutch problems and I believe a few other freak failing of various parts. I know personally several others that have had serious problems with their F-30s on gyros and fixed wing. Also know personally several more that have had Crankshafts fail on very low time Hirth 2706's. I hear horror stories of how Hirth won't honor the warrenty in many cases, Or how a lot of the fuel injected guys are having to constantly reprogram their computer chip to get the temps in line or buy extra pieces of equipment to allow manual mixute adjustment to lower the Cht's. Hirth sells a fraction of the number of engines Rotax sells yet they seem to have a higher percentage of troubles. I guess it is fair to assume that all engines are going to quit sooner or later, but some are building a track record of it happening on the sooner rather than the later.

But it wasn't fair of me to call it - and the mac - the most undependable engines to fly with. I am sure there is many folks out there that do get great service from these engines.

Dean I see your point and I respect that. I am NOT the" know it all " my posts may be painting me as. I only offer my opinion here and right or wrong about something I would hope everyone takes it as such, it is just my 2 cents. This is the internet for christs sake! Don't take anything you read here as the final word on anything. Even Chuck Beaty has been proven wrong a time or two~

[Chuck Irby]

Dean,

I understand where you're coming from and appreciate your input. I was at a fly-in a year and a half ago and got to see Carl fly his machine and got my intro to the Hirth through him. I couldn't help but be impressed with the power.

Then just a few months ago I received my last training with Mike Solano ( Mike is an AFI, by the way ) and saw what the F-30 could do with the two of us in the AC tandem. This caused me to became even more impressed with the F-30.

As for me, I have thought how nice it would be to go as fast, or faster, than Carl. However, I am content, at least for the present, to be flying a 618 powered Dominator. It does pretty well, actually. So at least for the present, I am content. But this added info re the Hirth is good to know.

Thank you both for your input.