2007 looks like the year of the gyro for me

[13brv3]

Greetings,

Right after the holidays, it appears that I'll be taking the first step (yes, FINALLY) toward being a gyro kinda guy. I'm going to get a Sport Pilot add-on to my current Private fixed wing license. It turns out that I can do this all locally in an RAF. While this won't be the most appropriate model (since I don't plan to build anything like that), it's mighty convenient, and I'll get the basic training and rating out of the way.

Way back when I originally wanted to do the gyro thing, it was common to be able to fly experimental gyros with a fixed wing license. Next, a few years ago, they made it more difficult to carry a passenger by adding a rule about requiring an instructors endorsement. Now, the latest operating restrictions that are being issued by my DAR have a requirement that states: "The pilot in command of this aircraft must hold an appropriate category / class rating." That means I can't fly any experimental gyro that I build unless I have the appropriate rating.

This isn't necessarily bad news, since having the rating "should" open up the possibility of buying (overpriced) liability insurance (my hanger lease requires it). I was told before that the insurance companies wouldn't write a policy without a gyro rating. It also clears me to eventually get a two place, and more importantly, will let me fly gyros without a medical under sport pilot rules.

By the time the rating is done, I should have the single rotor engine on a test stand, and will hopefully have a redrive for it. That's the biggest hold-up right now. Once I determine that the engine and as-yet-to-be-found redrive works out, then I'll go for the actual gyro. The only two options I see at the moment are the Dominator (90% chance), and the Little Wing (10% chance because I don't feel like welding it all up).

Now, if anyone made it this far, your mission is to HOLD ME TO THIS

Cheers,
Rusty

[dragonflyerthom]

Rusty

That sounds like a plan to me. May I make a suggestion. See if you can get a check ride. Since most gyro instructors want to solo you in your own gyro then get the training and work on your gyro as you are getting the training. That way your training and the solo will be about the same time as you finish you gyro. Good Luck

[WHY]

Hi Rusty

Are you going to try to use the single rotor rotary on your gyro and is it going to be a single place? Just started to replace the lower longerons on my tractor fuselage yesterday and it looks like it is going to work out fine. Maybe in a couple of months will be ready to make a choice of engine so I can start on the engine mounts.

Tony

[13brv3]

Hi Tony,

Yes, the plan is still to use the single rotor, and I've got a message into Neil about buying an Autoflight drive for it. Hopefully, he's still got a rotary adapter plate laying around, or can make me one. Assuming the engine testing goes OK on a stand (and I'm sure it will), I'll be looking for something to put it on. More than likely, it will be single place, but since I'll be getting a sport pilot add-on, it could be two place I suppose.

BTW, refresh my memory- what tractor design are you building?

Cheers,
Rusty

[WHY]

Rusty

Am using the fuselage of a "Texas Parasol " fixed wing. Bought one several months back to modify but when I got a closer look at it I decided that I wouldn't even taxi it let alone fly it because of the workmanship, so have totally rebuilt it and all that is now original is the upper and lower longerons and they will be replace in the near future, it is made from riveted aluminum angle. Shortened the fuselage 6 inches and am making the gear {was aluminum tubing) out of 4130 and making wider to about 60/66 inches and adding twin tail.

If I can't find a rotary that I can live with, will revert to the old standby of the EA-81 with a Autoflight redrive.

Tony

[13brv3]

Hi Tony,

So, you took the "easy" way out by buying an existing fuselage

Sorry to hear about all the rework, but I guess I'm not really surprised. Every single used project I've ever purchased has ended up needing lots of re-work, and I've pretty much sworn off buying anything like that again.

I'm still quite interested in a tractor gyro, but haven't commited the time to building a Little Wing yet.

Cheers,
Rusty

[13brv3]

Hi Thom,

Sorry I missed your comments earlier. I'm sure you're correct about the ideal way to do this, but I'm looking at it as two separate steps. One will be to get the sport pilot add-on, which teaches me the general skills I need, and gets the legal regulations out of the way. Later, when I've finished a gyro, I'll seek out refresher training that's specific to whatever type gyro I end up with. That's the plan anyway.

Cheers,
Rusty