I know there are more?

[JRB549]

This thread is for anyone who has a Sportcopter, lighting, Vortex and Soma....
I would like to know of anyone who has a Soma that like the GyroBee guys can talk. I know a few but E-mail addresses, phone numbers or anything :cool: to get intouch with each other for sake of the common bird we own, how about it.:cool:

[scottessex]

I think you are out of luck with the soma people, Catfish is the only one I know of, a guy here in Georgia has one that was never assembled, and is missing some parts.

I don't think the sportcopter guys like us, they feel that the soma is a cheap knock off-clone.:) (sportcopters are sweet!):D

Run low pressure in your tires so you don't bounce.:p

[PW_Plack]

JR,

The Soma does not hang from the Vancraft/Sport Copter family tree.

There are some similarities in the general frame shape between the Soma and the Sport Copters, (and Air Commands, for that matter,) but most of the things that make the Sport Copters unique were not copied on the Soma, because they're too costly to fabricate. I don't think the Soma set out to be a "clone," but it would be fair to say its debut followed a period of intense study of Sport Copter machines by its designer. ;)

One unique feature which was announced by Soma was a three-bladed rotor system, but I don't believe the design was ever successfully prototyped.

There were at least a few Soma machines ordered here in the Portland, OR area, but of the buyers I've met, none got all the pieces they ordered. Only a handful ever flew, and those seem to have been completed with a few parts from other manufacturers.

The same thing almost happened to Sport Copter. The Vortex kit has something like 2200 parts, many of them custom molding or machining jobs. The original kits were priced too low, and nearly bankrupted the company in the mid-90s. Fortunately, Jim was able to hang on, and eventually get the orders out. (I have Vortex serial #005, hope to build it this summer.)

Welcome to the world of small, first-time manufacturers!

[scott heger]

Paul, now I'm worried. I only put 2199 parts on mine. I am heading to the hanger tomorrow to search for the last missing one.....by the way where does the teeter bolt go, or was that the Jesus nut? Hmmm, Must not be too important.

I have yet to meet a satisfied original Soma owner, seems like many got taken, and never received promised parts.

Made another nice flight in the Vortex yesterday. 84 degrees, 20-25 MPH winds , and not a cloud in the sky. Lots of fun just going nowhere in particular. Get that thing built Paul while the weather is nice up there.Leave the body/windscreen in the garage and go have fun flying soon!

Scott Heger, Laguna Niguel, Ca N86SH SportCopter #053

[PW_Plack]

Scott, don't worry...

...part #2200 would have been the enclosure!

[JRB549]

Thanks Paul can you and both Scotts send photos to me of your machines.
to look at.

[Rotornut]

Richard loves his machine, but chooses to call it Catfish1. As stated he did not recieve all his parts that he Payed ahead for. But I have to Admit after helping building it for two years, it did turn out to be a nice Gyro.

Rick loves to Fly it, but as I have said I am no Pilot.

Now he wants a TwoSeater Dom, so that I can ride with him. MJ :)
Scott's machine is a nice example of a good looking Soma.