Can you guys help.

[Canuck]

OK GUYS here goes. Been wanting to fly gyros for a long time. First of all, no flight time unless you count 8 hrs in fixed wing 35 yrs ago. I have been watching here for quite some time and here is what I have come up with. 1- Flight training a MUST. 2-Gyros are not all built or designed the same. 3- Pick between open single or enclosed 2 place. So here is what I am thinking. Sportcopter Vortex with rotax 582 ($32,176.oo in ca funds). Or RAF WITH as many stability fixs as it takes($35,000.00) in ca funds. Here are some of the issues, there is a RAF CFI at the local airport and he is very RAF minded. And of course training for the Sport copter may be very hard to do, but not impossible. Sorry for the long post but I would really like to hear from you guys.

[Chopper Reid]

You are correct re the training, get the best training possible.

A RAF with all the mods is a pretty good gyro, you are obviously aware of its defects so thats good !! The Sportcopter, I do not know it so I wont comment.

The local guys will know the RAF CFI so they will help you out there. Just for mine, I do not like the idea of training in an unmodifed RAF. Hope this helps.

[Canuck]

Thanks Chopper, The local CFI is RAF all the way and does not have any mods on his gyro(kinda scary). Heck maybe I should just get in the truck and go vist,RAF is 11/2 hrs away and Scappoose is 1300kms. Sure would like to hear from more of you guys.

[enewbold]

Thanks Chopper, The local CFI is RAF all the way and does not have any mods on his gyro(kinda scary). Heck maybe I should just get in the truck and go vist,RAF is 11/2 hrs away and Scappoose is 1300kms. Sure would like to hear from more of you guys.Hey, for what it's worth, I don't have any problems flying any RAF out there. Good training is the real answer to safety - in any aircraft. I'd go ahead and drive the 1.5 hours and visit them! They're very nice peole (Don and Linda Lafleur). =Ed=

[dragonflyerthom]

Hey I have just built a RAF. They have been very helpful to all the way. Bend over backwards to make sure everything is ok. Wish the car dealers were that way.

Good Luck


Thom

[paulp]

Howdy Canuck,

I just soloed My RAF about 2 weeks ago after 25 hrs of dual with a great instructor. I have flown it with the stabilator and without. Here in OK the wind will be your constant companion. To date, I don't have any problems with the machine even in gusty conditions. If you fly the machine within it's envelope and you fly within your envelope you shouldn't have any problems.

I also fly a '45 Taylorcraft and am a Viet Nam era Army aviator with a lot of rotorywing time. Nither one seemed to help when learning to fly the RAF. Gyros are a different breed!!!

I have(and will add an aircommand stab) at later date to determine if the stab feels more comfortable to me.

Hope this helps.

[robertstodaro]

What do YOU want to fly?

There is a huge difference, like riding in a car with the windows down or riding a motorcycle.

I like the open frame single with a removable fairing. I'd rather have a fixed wing than an Raf, nothing against them, just might as well go faster if you'er going to sit like that.

I took my vacation and traveled to learn in machine similar to what I was going to fly and it worked well.

good luck

[GyroRon]

I'd rather have a fixed wing than an Raf, nothing against them, just might as well go faster if you'er going to sit like that.



good luck


AMEN!!! you know, after flying gyros for a while and having some time in two place gyros, I think your right. For me the only reason to own a two place enclosed gyro over a two place enclosed airplane is for the smaller size of a gyro, for ease of storing and trailering over a small plane.

[PW_Plack]

Gene,

There's a Super Vortex (the Vortex with a Rotax 618) for sale here in Hillsboro, OR. It has all the goodies, rough field kit, 91 hours on it, for US$12,500. I'm going to try to get a look at it in the next week. The owner mentioned it in this thread (http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9077&highlight=Vortex) a few weeks ago, and is about to list it on the national aviation sites.

You could get it, do the work needed on the 618, buy an airline ticket, pay to stay here and train at Sport Copter, ship the machine back to Alberta, and still be way below what you're estimating for either of your choices so far.

If you want a really nice single place, partially enclosed, and need to keep some budget free for training, this is hard to beat.

[GyroRon]

Paul, I heard through the grapevine that the Sportcopter for sale your talking about was in very poor condition.

[Canuck]

Thanks for thr replies guys, I guess the right question is what do you want to fly and the only way to find out is to go talk to the compay,s and take it from there. Oh man here comes a long road trip, never been to Oregon, but I hear it is nice. Got a question for you guys, what kind of hp would it take to fly at 741 mts asl and still have a good reserve of power. I think that is about 2500 ft asl. I believe that is the elevation at the airport here.

[dragonflyerthom]

A lot of that will determined by you and your aircraft.


Thom

[PW_Plack]

Ron, we're hoping to get it up to the Chapter 73 meeting next weekend for a look.

Gene, it might be useful to ask the kitmakers of the machines you're considering the HP/altitude question. In some cases, longer blades are part of that answer.

[gyro-3xio]

Hello Canuck.

Good Questions. Your ASL @ CYXH is listed in the Flight Supplement as 2352'.

2nd, you may wish to contact Transport regarding regs with respect to importing a kit. Kits have to be approved by TC. That usually isn't a problem, still a reg none the less. The rules may have changed since I last spoke with TC, however, in the past, (key word here "past") a homebuilt already completed could not be imported into Canada. Check this out with them first. Note, there are many different types of gyro kits flying here. (It's not like we are restricted to only one machine.)

Other item,......... figured it out. Sorry.
Cheers,
Jim.

[PW_Plack]

Jim,

Found this today on the website of the Canadian Experimental Aircraft Association (http://www.copanational.org/non-members/AircraftinCanada/AircraftinCanadaHomebuilt1.htm):

You are allowed to import, register and operate in Canada, foreign-built Amateur-Built Aircraft, subject to certain conditions, one of which is that the aircraft must be constructed in accordance with the standards of the State of construction and the Minister finds them to be equivalent to those in Canada. The aircraft must have a permanent flight authority from the State of construction and must have at least 100 hours air time logged. The aircraft must also undergo a complete inspection for compliance with the standards in Canada by a Civil Aviation Safety Inspector.

[ToddP]

The Vortex with a 618 will perform just fine @ your elevation. I fly a 532 powered dominator @ 2100 Ft. and it does great. I think the weights are similar.

[gyro-3xio]

Thanks Paul.
I knew I used the term "past" for a good reason. It has been a while since I last spoke with TC.
Homebuilt regs seem to have evolved somewhat just like everything else. That is a good thing.

Glad to learn of this.

Hope this helps Gene out as well.

Jim.

[gyro-3xio]

Gene,
I found an outfit in Medicine Hat that teaches on gyros.
Doesn't get any closer than this does it?

Gyro Tech Aviation Inc.

I'll drop you a note.

Jim.