Hawking around Illinois

[StanFoster]

More of Illinois. Beautiful evening for cruising. That SparrowHawk flies better when I just go along for the ride and barely touch the cyclic. :)

I have had little problems with it so far.....I had an alternator problem...my voltage was too low.....I was ahead of the light as I always watch the numbers. Yesterday I was flying and it gradually started going down from its normal 14.1 volt readout to 11.9. I hung close to the airport and decided to not let it get any lower beings I have fuel injection and a computer drawing power. I cut the electrics to just my Skydat and then landed. This morning I found a field wire with a loose connection on my alternator. Put new coonnectors on and back to 14.1 volts.:)



Stan

[StanFoster]

more shots

[Timchick]

Stan,
You get an A+ for paying attention to what your gyro is trying to tell you and finding things before they get worse.

[StanFoster]

Last shots from today. I just will never ever tire of this.....This has got to be the biggest lkept secret of aviation....flying gyrocopters. I am trying my best to get this sport more press.:)


Come on...there has to be a lot more flying going on than whats posted...:D


Stan

[Caribean_gyro]

stan do you have a camera mounted in the top or just you have long arm.

the sun thru the mast pci was excellent.

[StanFoster]

Caribean: I just have a long arm.....


Stan

[skier]

Why would one choose to have a fuel injected system that relies on electricity in an aircraft? It would seem to me that the older systems with carburetors would be safer since even if the electricity does fail, the engine won't quit. Is there a backup that means even if your electricity does fail the engine won't quit?

Sorry to ask this on your thread, but since you mentioned fuel injection, I thought I'd ask some questions.

[Harry_S.]

Nice pics as usual Stan.;)

Any passenger yet?!


Cheers :)

[13brv3]

Awesome pics as always Stan!
Rusty (gyro resistance is futile)

[AirHorse1]

Excellent pics Stan!! Its great to see your view of Illinois again!:)

[gyroplanes]

I hate to take this thread off course a bit. Couldn't one find a place to install a small, auxiliary 12 volt battery as an alternate ?

I would get a small 12v alarm system battery from Radio Shack and wire it to an auxiliary buss that only feeds the engine and other essentials. The master switch could be a main - off - aux SPDT toggle. Just a thought.

[StanFoster]

Tom: Very good suggestion on an auxillary battery. The thought ran through my mind but as long as I monitor the voltage like I do...I mean all those numbers are for me to look at....:D .....then as I see the voltage come down from 14 volts....through 13....then I am shutting down unneccessary power and looking to land while the motor has juice to run it.

Stan

[StanFoster]

Skier: My fuel injection came with the need for electricity just like my fuel pumps need electricity as well. After running this fuel injection...I would not go back to a carb engine. I dont think the electic draw on the fuel injectors is much compared to the fuel pump and engine computer anyway.


Stan

[StanFoster]

Harry: No passengers yet. My son Jeff was going to go this weekend but I am on the cautious side and not taking him while the temps are in the 90's. He is a big guy....no doubt it would fly because my RAF hauled him ok when it was real hot....but I am going to error on the conservative side as I build my experience.

No need for me to pop in a 260 pound passenger...94 degrees...and then find out how she flies.:eek: Like I said....it would fly...but I am going to have more reserve at first.


Stan

[Harry_S.]

Stan;

I agree. Good thinkin'.

I guess I lost. Thought Barb would be the first...won't be the last time I've guessed wrong.:rolleyes:


Cheers :)

[gyroplanes]

Tom: Very good suggestion on an auxillary battery. The thought ran through my mind but as long as I monitor the voltage like I do...I mean all those numbers are for me to look at....:D .....then as I see the voltage come down from 14 volts....through 13....then I am shutting down unneccessary power and looking to land while the motor has juice to run it.

Stan

Scanning is fundamental, but it still would be nice to have a "reserve" electrical supply to get you home or to the nearest airport. A reserve electron supply could turn a total electrical failure into precautionary landing rather than a forced landing. I would run redundant wires to each essential circuit (pumps, computer, FI nozzles. ignition, etc.) You won't find a certificated all electric aircraft without a back up for essentials.

[Chuck Roberg]

No need for me to pop in a 260 pound passenger...94 degrees...and then find out how she flies

Stan, When I was at hondo it was 90 degrees and 3,200 ft. density altitude according to the AWOS. I took up one of the San Antonio dealers who weighted 265 pounds. I'm around 215. It was no problem. The Sparrow Hawk flew fine. We had a little less than 1/2 tank fuel. Take off distance was, just guessing. 1,000-1,200 ft.

[StanFoster]

Chuck: I hear you.....I have taken Jeff off with full fuel in my RAF at 90 degrees and no problem. The 2.5 I have now should be even better. I just am wanting him to feel some climb performance like he never has felt before.


Stan

[Timchick]

Having fuel injection also means no carb icing. Can the fuel injection ice up?

[Heather Poe]

Having fuel injection also means no carb icing. Can the fuel injection ice up?
I understand that the fuel injection will not ice up, but the air filter can during rain or snow. Some aircraft have an alternative, spring loaded door that opens if enough suction occurs down stream from the filter, allowing unfiltered air to be used by the engine.

[Aussie_Paul]

Chuck: I hear you.....I have taken Jeff off with full fuel in my RAF at 90 degrees and no problem. The 2.5 I have now should be even better. I just am wanting him to feel some climb performance like he never has felt before.


Stan

Stan, how much heavier is the S/H than your Raf? It seems strange to me that at takes the ej-25 in the S/H to do the same job as the ej-22 in a Raf.

Aussie Paul.:)

[StanFoster]

Paul: My SparrowHawk weighs 950 with the doors on. I am more than pleased with the performance. However...its very clear to me why it takes a 2.5 engine. 100 more pounds more weight....and a big draggy cabin that is very comfortable.

My son Jeff hated that RAF cabin. He loved his first flight tonight and told me,...."Dad, you have one sweet machine now"


I did not spend all that money on my SparrowHawk to win a speed race. I know that Jim Logans and Duanne Hunnes would blow the doors off of it...and Pat Mcnears would leave us all in the dust.

I bought it for being extra roomy and better visibility....and I am not having those little what if thoughts about unloading my rotor and doing a PPO.

Anyway....I am far more satisfied with my lead sled because it is so easy and comfy to fly.

Stan

[Aussie_Paul]

Paul: My SparrowHawk weighs 950 with the doors on. I am more than pleased with the performance. However...its very clear to me why it takes a 2.5 engine. 100 more pounds more weight....and a big draggy cabin that is very comfortable.

My son Jeff hated that RAF cabin. He loved his first flight tonight and told me,...."Dad, you have one sweet machine now"


I did not spend all that money on my SparrowHawk to win a speed race. I know that Jim Logans and Duanne Hunnes would blow the doors off of it...and Pat Mcnears would leave us all in the dust.

I bought it for being extra roomy and better visibility....and I am not having those little what if thoughts about unloading my rotor and doing a PPO.

Anyway....I am far more satisfied with my lead sled because it is so easy and comfy to fly.

Stan

That's exactly what I wanted To hear Stan, great stuff.

I have made that decision with Firebird, but it will be 70 lbs lighter than my Rafs which were on average 800 lb.

Hybrid weighed 299 lbs until I put the SUV wheels on it.

My first priority was safety, next comfort, then aesthetics, and finally speed.

Only a couple of months away now. I have been in Western Oz for 3 weeks training a couple of people who had been disadvantaged by my suspension. I had parts being machined while I was away.

Today should finish the single seater to be regisyered and certified so I will have something to fly, BUT, I have to sell it ASAP to finance more Firebird bits. I feel like you were when you were getting close to finishing your lovely SH. A little excited!!:D

Aussie Paul.:)

[StanFoster]

Paul: Way to go...you should have a very comfortable machine and a high performance one as well. :)


Stan