Gyros on AG-spraying?

[twistair]

Are there anybody who knows something about practical use of gyros in agricultural spraying?
I was asked about this by a design group here who are going to build special single-seat tractor for this purpose.
Some pics can be seen at http://twistairclub.narod.ru/adel/index1.htm though text is in Russian only.
The device is powered by Subaru EJ-20 150 hp engine, weights 330 kg empty and should carry 130 kg of chemicals under 30' rotor.

[ToddP]

Alex,

I've always wondered about using a good two place machine for spraying. Using the extra seat for a spray tank. Last I remember - about 12 years ago - application rates for spray planes were about $5 an acre.

Because of US laws, correct me if I'm wrong, the only way you cold legally spray is if the farmer were to buy a machine and spray his own fields. FAR's would not allow any type of commercial use of an experimental aircraft.

[KenSandyEggo]

The Russian FARs?

[ToddP]

No Ken, I was saying that what might be legal in Russia, probably isn't in the US because of the FAR's.

[Chad]

twistair,
No gyro info but this is the Antares trike site:

http://www.antares-us.com/index.cgi?PAGE=options&ID=20011220190319FR

They make a crop sprayer for trikes. The owner is Sergey Zozulya, from Ukraine I think, he may have info that will help you.

[PW_Plack]

I've heard people talk about this, and saw a picture of the setup on RAF's web site, but I've also been told a pusher prop makes controlled application more difficult, especially in slow flight. Has anyone actually tried spraying from a gyro?

[twistair]

The Russian FARs?

Surprise, Ken, but they exist. And they also don't permit to fly non-certified pail for hire. Anyway smart guys find gaps in regulations. Trikes are very wide used for spraying here though they also aren't certified.
We made initial testings for that Tai-made Domin. Chemicals were in 100-litre plastic barrel installed directly into seat-tank instead somebody's stern. Spraying equipment was installed and fligt-tested. Pilot who has good experience in spraying on trikes was learnt to fly gyro in our club and he stated that Domin is much more pleasant in this application than any trike is.
One of main concerns in this kind of flying is safety: trike pilots often crash in the end of the field trying to save seconds making 180-turn. Or they hit wires or trees at the end of the day due to tiredness or engine failure. Apparently gyro is much more reliable in all these cases. This is why we're interested in spraying application.
From the other side tractor gyro seems to be more suitable for this due to more "right" airflow behind tractor prop. And - not least - tractor seems to be safer since dangeros masses (engine, spray tank etc) are in front of pilot - better thing when you hit something. Next is that tractor lets to have enclosed (chemicals isolated) cabin for less efforts.
It may be interesting job though we're still at the very beginning.

[Heron]

Tests done in Brazil found that is better than other aircraft, lower runs and less overspray, save chemicals.
The lack of a good engine killed the project, I do have a pic in my pc, but it is packed to travel now (going to my other country for a while)
It is a field that we ar e going to work and develop in the near future.
Heron

[twistair]

Very interesting, Heron!

Could you tell more details on these testings?

[eruttan]

you can do all kinds of comercial activity in experimentals.

You just cannot carry for hire. That means people or cargo. You can take pictures, traffic reporting, make soup, and whatever else you imagine.

It is supposed to be the land of the free, remember?

[Brent_Brown]

I think this would do the job. The little wing that made the long flights had a big tank in the front seat that could be use for sprying too.

[Heron]

Alex:
Here is the pic! I will be in Brazil soon and maybe I can meet those guys and get the scoop.
After 5 years I wonder the changes in a country where yesterday is to far back . . .
Heron

[twistair]

Thanks, Heron,

Have a nice trip and - let us see more detailed photos and other info on them. I'm really curious to know something more about these efforts!

[Chad]

"The M16 has even demonstrated utility as an agricultural crop sprayer (with Micronair atomizers and 150 lt. tank)"

http://www.magnigyro.com/English/m16.htm

"The new 4-blade system has demonstrated to have minimal rotor/stick shake - call it "none". That was not the total goal, however. The compact rotor system was primarily developed to provide heavy lift capabilities combined with quick
maneuverability for applications such as crop spraying, where time lost in turn-arounds is money. Magni has offered an efficient spraying rig for the 2-seat M-16 for several years. The new rotor will make those applications even more attractive"

http://www.magnigyro.com/USA/magniday2000.htm

Might be worth emailing or a pm to Greg.

[Rotorhead]

This craft was designated CBF-1 ( Cliff-Basher- 1 ) and was built for out of this countries
Use. Power came from twin 532’s and was built in the late 80’s . The is Rest Classified need to know :cool:

[ymmv]

Not that this will help with the current (practical) question, but gyros were doing ag work early. There are some pics in George Towson's book Autogiro, of a Pitcairn PCA-2 dusting crops. It was in the '30s, I think, and Towson himself was the pilot. This was apparently the same PCA-2 that was regularly looped at airshows.