Aussie Paul's April 2012 BFR

[Aussie_Paul]

Hi Folks, me again!! Yesterday I was able to conduct my BFR. I thank ASRA CFI and flying friend since 1990, Ian Morcombe, for helping me shoe horn into his trainer!!!!

Eril drove me the two and a half hours to Ian and his Bev's property on Sunday. We had a great catch up and stayed the night. Monday mid morning Eril took me to a gliding strip 2 miles from Ian's propertie's short private strip as Ian flew his trainer over. We managed to get my right leg in and then lift my left leg in after I got my rear end on the seat. I was ready!!!

Ian took off and climbed up to the downwind leg and handed control to me. I did some turns etc to get the feel of his trainer. I ended on base leg where Ian took over and landed to give me some idea of what to expect. We landed and Ian gave me control and away I went. I flew 6 to 8 circuits and apart from approaching a little fast and floating further than normal ALL went well.

Guess what??? It was horrible!! NOT.

Ian is the Sportcopter agent here in Oz and gave me a demo of the new Sportcopter "musterer" model designed by Jim, of Sportcopter, to Ian's requirements for mustering Downunder. I wish Ian luck introducing this great product to the Station people here in Oz.

Aussie Paul's BFR, April 2012 http://youtu.be/n7xdNSTgMlY

Aussie Paul.

[Vance]

Thank you for sharing your BFR Paul.

You indomitable spirit is an inspiration to us all.

I could taste the joy as you returned home to the sky.

Thank you ,Vance

[GyroDoug]

Originally Posted by Aussie_Paul

Ian is the Sportcopter agent here in Oz and gave me a demo of the new Sportcopter "musterer" model designed by Jim, of Sportcopter, to Ian's requirements for mustering Downunder. I wish Ian luck introducing this great product to the Station owners, and contract mustering people, here in Oz.

Aussie Paul's BFR, April 2012 - YouTube

Aussie Paul.

Paul,

So whats this new mustering model like? This is the first I have heard anyting about it. I would love to know a little more about it. What were the priorities for this model and how did he modify it to meet those priorities? Is it going to be available to the rest of the world or only down there?

[cgmg]

Paul,

Congrats on getting back in the saddle. It's nice to hear you were airborne again!!!

[Kevin_Richey]

Originally Posted by GyroDoug

Paul,

So whats this new mustering model like? This is the first I have heard anyting about it. I would love to know a little more about it. What were the priorities for this model and how did he modify it to meet those priorities? Is it going to be available to the rest of the world or only down there?

I was waiting for Jon (Master Roda, on the forum) to chime in, Doug, but see that he must be busy elsewhere.

Same gyro changes to all Sport Copter Vortex 912 models, such as post #32 here:

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/sho...055#post458055

1. Shocks replacing rubber donuts, with attachment point moved much lower down from up on the mast to near the rear seat attach points. No more long strut arm going way up in the slip stream.

2. Larger tail feathers: Looks to be the same size vertical stab and rudder, but larger winglets and I think, the whole shebang moved a tad further back for more leverage.

3. Reinforced keel under area where engine motor mount used to be.

4. Removal of said motor mount attachments as in earlier SC models, due to engine being hung from mast ALA fixed wing aviation engines on their firewalls.

5. Steel mast replacing aluminum one. Most likely for peace-of-mind in having the engine's weight being supported by it.

6. Nose wheel has bigger, better shock along with much larger tire. Most likely for very rough terrain use vs. typical paved runway or grass strip. The main wheels look to be the standard "Rough Field Package" option way back since the Vancraft Rotor Lightning.

7. Outfitted with aux. twin fuel tanks, it'll be long time between fuel stops. Beneficial for cost-effective air time for the station owners, whether they own the machine or contracted out operations.

8. Most likely using the Sport Rotors 8" chord blades, for greater lift.

9. Axle struts made smaller in diameter. Probably steel instead of aluminum.

10. Rotax 912 engine. This puppy enables this machine to go in the 125 MPH area, as told to me by Jim V. last year. He flew it around one day when I was re-fueling while flying many hours one day, when I was still hangaring at Scappoose airport.

I could see the speed being up there. As he would change direction doing a 180, he would pick up speed much faster than I've seen him do when one of these Vortexes has a Rotax 582. The climb out was also most impressive. Probably similar to Birdy's gyro in performance.

I think I had a slight glimpse of what folks saw decades ago when the turbine jet engine began to replace propellers on aircraft.

He told me that I could upgrade my Lightning (all of the above changes, minus the 912 engine) for $10K.

Lets say the Vortex is $30K with the R-582, and the 912 new is around $20K (and the costs of the extra frame changes were added back into the price after the removal of the R-582 cost), one would have around $55K in a rocket ship gyroplane that could probably keep up with most helicopters. The sheep and cattle down under would give up rather than fight with so fast a gyroplane!

[dragonflyerthom]

I agree with everyone mate. Can't keep a good man down. Congrats Paul

[barnstorm2]

congrats!

.

[Gyro_Kai]

congratulations, Paul! I hope for continuing speedy recovery!

Kai.

[Chuck Roberg]

Great to see you back in the air. I know it's been a long hard road. I wish you many more happy hours in the sky.

[Timchick]

Congratulations, Paul. Glad to see you get back in the air.

[Aussie_Paul]

Thanks everyone. It was a great thrill to be flying again. I had not had the opportunity this last 12 months. I am hoping to do a little more this coming year. I have 4 specialist medical people to see during the first week in May. It will be their results that my Worcover insurer will use to determine what $ value they put on my injuries. We might have a financial outcome by Christmas. Fingers crossed.

My first BFR after the accident made me feel I had lost my touch BUT after flying a couple of single seat gyros since, and conducting this BFR I realised that my first BFR was in a machine that was not at all set up correctly, and had issues!!!! I had thought it was me!!

Youtube sent me a message that my video was shaky and said they would fix it so I agreed. It now is worse than before, so I have uploaded the original again.

Aussie Paul's BFR, April 2012 http://youtu.be/n7xdNSTgMlY

Aussie Paul.

[All_In]

Way to go Paul!!
Congratulations Buddy!!!

Nice video!!

[Colin Gibson]

Congratulations Paul. Goes to show ya can't keep a good man down.
Hope we see you back here in NZ sometime.
Colin

[Aussie_Paul]

Originally Posted by Colin Gibson

Congratulations Paul. Goes to show ya can't keep a good man down.
Hope we see you back here in NZ sometime.
Colin

Hi Colin, hopefully once we get all the Workcover and legal s**t, (technical word) behind us we can begin the next stage of our lives together and if my health and finances allow, do some traveling. NZ definatley on the list as I trained and helped a lot of Kiwis.

Aussie Paul.

[birdy]

Steel mast replacing aluminum one.
Cant figure why theyd do that????
Wot grade of steel?

Id like to see a clearer pic of its ass, to see the 'cooling' setup.