Blade Comparison

[Curran3]

I had a chance to try out two different sets of rotorblades on my Gyrobee this afternoon. I'd been using a 24.5' set of Rotorhawks and tried a 24' set of Brock blades today. The Brock's flew smoother with less shake but had a little less lift than the Rotorhawks. That may be because they are a little shorter. It also may be that the Brocks need more or less pitch. I didn't get any instructions on setting them up and just bolted them together and flew them after some careful taxi testing. They are lighter than the Rotorhawks which might be helpful is you're trying to stay under 254 lbs. Not sure why but the Brocks needed less trim spring. They both hand start easily and both have lots of rotor momentum for smooth flares.

[RICK MARTIN]

Hey Curran,
Thanks for the comparison. I would like to hear from any Gyrobee owners who have experience with Dragon Wings versus other blades on their Gyrobees.

thanks,

[gyropilot]

I would like to hear from any Gyrobee owners who have experience with Dragon Wings versus other blades on their Gyrobees.
I used to fly with 24' Rotordyne blades on my GyroBee. They were very easy to hand start, smooth, and performed reasonably well.

Then I tried a set of 23' Dragon Wing blades on my Bee that a friend lent me. Wow! I was an instant convert. They performed *much* better than my larger Rotordyne blades, were just as smooth. The Dragon Wings are very difficult to hand start without a good breeze, and are much easier to flap below about 100 rpm... less forgiving in that respect.

So I *really* like Dragon Wing blades. The only thing that could possibly make them any better than they are now would be to have several "deluxe" features offered for them like adjustable tip weights, a chordwise position adjustment, and adjustable tracking on the hub bar. All three of these items are sometimes needed to compensate for rotor head inaccuracies... not the Dragon Wing rotor blades themselves which are properly adjusted from the factory.

Dragon Wing blades should not be used on a high thrustline gyro without an adequately stabilized airframe. Because of their higher performance characteristics, they can magnify airframe instability in turbulent conditions. They are fine on the typical GyroBee with an adequate horizontal stabilizer.

Regards,

John L.

[GyroRon]

Be careful going to Dragon wings if your used to other blades. Dragon wings are great blades but easy to flap. You must slowly build up speed as you start the takeoff roll after pre rotation. The faster you can get the RRPM when Pre rotate the quicker you can "pour the coals on"

Scott Essex tried a set of Dragonwings - John Stevens thought they were called DragonHawks? -and the gains were amazing.

[scottessex]

I tried the Dragon wings ("dragon hawks,") and I could not believe the difference, My rate of climb nearly doubled, and I gained 10mph on my cruise!!!

They do flap alot easier, I accelerated too fast, and got them flapping on takeoff, I have been used to the realy rigid rotorhawks, other than that, They were fantastic, turned my machine into a hot-rod! I gotta get a set!!

[Screw]

Screw-In

I was drunk, it was hot, I didn't mean to call em Drgon Hawks! You knew what I meant. :D I love my Dragon Wings! I think they are the best investment I've made on my gyro so far.

Screw-Out

[PW_Plack]

Screw said,

"I was drunk, it was hot, I didn't mean to...."

Whew! For a minute there I was afraid of where that one was goin'!

[RICK MARTIN]

John L., Ron, Scott & John S.,

Thanks for the testimonials. I'll be careful.