SSC Prototype Flying

[MattPearson]

Here are some grainy picks taken by a by-stander of the first flight of Larry Neal's Super Sky Cycle prototype. Larry said the climb was 500 FPM, 65 mph top speed, 55 cruise, and that it flew great. That's all I know, so if you have any questions, call or email Larry. :)

[Allantat]

Matt. Just had an e-mail from Larry confirming the 1st flight. Here's his report.

Super Sky Cycle
Initial Flight Test Summary
12/23/05
===============================================
Temperature……………………………………………78 deg. F

Lift off speed……..…………………………………….30 mph

Climb rate……………………………………………...500 fpm

Top speed……………………………………………….65 mph

½ throttle cruise speed…………………………………..55 mph

Rotor rpm………………………………………………350 rpm

Summary: Sweet/Fun/Docile

[Greg Mitchell]

Hey Matt, Allan,

I posted same on the OZ forum but included an early close up with the drive chain installed. Of course I did this so that people who noticed the difference would not chime in and make the usual detractors comments. This still happened anyway.

My understanding is that the drive chain is not very heavy at all but is still having weight taken out.

The original folding blades displayed at Oshkosh were engineered for the Super Sky Car. A lighter version of same is being prototyped.

Larry tests everything in stages and very methodically.

I am extremely happy for Larry and wish him every success with the comming New Year.

Seasons Greetings to All.

Mitch.

[Heron]

. . .and I should add
May we get together again in 2006! :D
We are moving!
Heron

[Brent_Brown]

Now if they will let me land at Pope AF. I can fly/drive that to work. Pope runway to my shop about 3 mile. My time would be 1/2 it is now. 21 miles one to work. 40 min. in the rush.

[Heron]

Brent
Add up and you will see how much time for quality of life you can spare.
Heron

[scottessex]

Brent, can't you just land on one of the drop zones?:) Or are you worried you might get a hummvee dropped on your head?:eek:

[Brent_Brown]

You will be on radar and they get mad. I jump out at 10,000 feet one time and crossed into Bragg airspace but landed off post. They told me about it and I got to see the system that can track a mortor round in flight. If I was going to do that I what just land in our parking lot.

[barnstorm2]

Good news! Thanks for the post!

[Greg Mitchell]

G'Day Gents.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LARRY NEAL having successfully flown the SSC with a 26' folding rotor blade system.

Larry has lightened the original hub bar arrangement, the system now weighing 87 lbs and folds down to 12'.

Earlier initial test flights of SSC were done on a 24' disc, with Monarch having a std 23' disc.

Larry says the folding blade system flys a smooth as the std blades and does 50-55 mph at half throttle throw. This configuration of the SSC flys at 65 mph, about 5 mph slower than Monarch and easily flys as slow as 20 mph.

The new drivechain Larry is installing is more robust than the earlier prototype and he hopes to demonstrate same at Sun and Fun in the US in April, 2006.

Whilst Larry initially intended for a full jump takeoff capability for SSC he has decided on a more practical and safer approach. Designated the Metro Launch System, short 30 foot (9m) taxi/jump launches with excellent pitch and yaw stability will be possible.
Larry is hopefull that this system will be prototyped in time for Sun and Fun also.

Happy New Year.

Mitch

[Brent_Brown]

30 feet not with the E prerotator it has now. any word on how it will do 30 feet?

[Allantat]

Last September I spent time with Larry Neal at Olney,Tx flying the Golden Butterfly. Here is a shot of how the blades fold on Larry's SSC. That's one BIG bolt where the blade pivots to fold.

[Heron]

Happy New year Mitch and the Aussie Caterva . . . :D
I am gettng the goose bumps every time Larry tels me somenthing is right on track and works as it was supposed to.
Awesome machine is coming along nicely!
Heron

[Greg Mitchell]

And to you Heron...Happy New Year.

Yes, I too am excited as the prototyping develops. I think Sun and Fun will be worth a visit in the New Year.

Allan, nice shot of the folding blade system. Larry made the new lighter hub bar himself for the latest test flights.

G'Day Brent, I see from your avitar you are interested in this fly/drive possibilities. Quite right not with the Elec pre-rotator. It's no secret Larry has been developing a 'jump take-off' rotor head. The details however have not been released publicly. The pre-rotation will be effected by a mechanical system. A very short take off run followed by a controlled 'jump'.

I wish Larry every success with future developments in this comming year and to all a safe and happy flying season.

Cheers,

Mitch

[Brent_Brown]

THis is all great but if this is like the other stuff he has. You can't buy it for your gyro.

[MattPearson]

Actually, there will be no pitch change mechanism. The pitch adjustable head is on stand-by. The effective "launch" as it is being termed will be the result of a powerful belt driven prerotator system much like those successfully used on several "one -off" creations over the years. Spinning the rotor to 300+ RPMS will allow instant full power take offs while the resulting rotation of the aircraft, however long it takes, will be a function of available thrust and lift, you know, the normal aerodynamic principals.
The entire system will weigh less than a Wunderlich style system and should give good service.
I find my wunderlich style system to be extremely hard on the joints and attachments throughout the rotor system. The vibration alone that the head is going thru while doing a moderate prerotation is not confidence inspiring.

[Greg Mitchell]

Thanks for the explanation Matt.
Happy New Year to you, Sam and Emma. Enjoy and play safe.
Mitch.

[MattPearson]

Same to you Mitch. We sure do miss you! Happy New Year.

[Heron]

I would like to use this space to tell all of you that my prayers and thoughts are always with you.
May 2006 bring more of what you guys want and more moments of peace and happynes.
Matt . . .I have been neglecting all my friends and loved ones, but it is for a good cause.
Love you all.
Heron