Bensen Gyroglider Rotorhead Cheek Plates

[okikuma]

Anyone have the dimensions (or plans) for a set of Bensen Gyroglider rotorhead cheek plates?

Also, would the Gyrobee offset gimbal rotorhead work as a suitable replacement for the Bensen offset rotorhead?

Thanks everyone.

[Charles]

Hello Wayne
I got a nice pair of plates precisely CNC cut to Bensen's plan. They were on our gyrocopter which we transformed to a copter later. They are made of T6. $50. and I pay shipping. See attach.
My email: cgc@videotron.ca

Charles Gagne
Quebec city
Canada

[Charles]

Way
When I mentionned (they were on our gyrocopter,)
I meant our gyroglider.
Sorry, I should re read my texts.

charles

[okikuma]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for the offer.

A several questions.

What's the weight range for the pilot (and passenger if the club gyroglider was a two place) with those cheek plates?

Interesting to see a prerotator on the glider. How was it powered?

I can see that the glider had wooden blades. What type and what length? How did those wooden blades fly?

The supports l coming from the cheek plates look like they went to perhaps a Dominator tall vertical stabilizer?

Do you have complete pictures of the gyroglider that we all could perhaps see?

Thanks and I'll be in touch!

Wayne

[Charles]

Hi Wayne

Here are some answers. The weight range for this gyroglider was that it lifted 2 guys of a total of 450 lbs easily. The wooden blades (I still have it) was 23 ft total
and was hand started. It turned without vibration and was extremely easy to handle.
As you can see in the attach, the prerotator is powered by the wheel from a handle on the control stick. I built a 1:1
gearbox to transmit to the ring gear the necessary rpm.
It made the glider take off almost in a quarter of the field.

The wooden blades are made exactly to Bensen's plan and had powerful inertia. Anything else?

Charles

[okikuma]

Sorry for the delay in responding (I was out of town). Thanks for sending the pictures of your unique prerotator. I've never seen or heard of any prerotator like it before. I like the concept.

Now, I have more multiple questions.

What's the ratio between the left tire and contact wheel?

You mentioned that "It made the glider take off almost in a quarter of the field." What was the size of the field?

Assuming that the blades had 0 RPM when the glider was sitting still, what was the total distance from a dead stop to lift off if the prerotator was held in contact with the tire until flight RPM or close to the same?

How much pull to the left did it have when in operation?

By chance you send some complete frontal, side and 3/4 shots of the gyroglider? Any pictues of it in flight?


Thanks again.

Wayne

[Charles]

Hi Wayne
Here are some answers.
The glider's main wheel was 13 inch dia.
The pr wheel was 4 inch, the glider was pulled 15 to 20 mph. You try to make the calculation.

Our field is a 2000 ft one, I say the take off was a good 500ft.
The blades had to be hand started a little to accellerate before pulling the glider, this gave no side pull on the wheel.
We could feel a certain resistance, all we had to do is get the feeling of the friction and adjust the yank on the handle.

The gearbox was homemade and gave surprising results.
I still have this kit complete, if this could be of interest to you. I'll send a pic, give me your email.
No, sorry, no picture of the glider flying with the pr. Only on the ground.

Charles Gagne
Quebec city
Cda
(cgc@videotron.ca)