Buying an MTO Sport

[jakelantx]

Craig worked on my gyro all afternoon trying to find the problem. We went through the carbs step by step and replaced the spark plugs and while we did find a piece of trash that looked like it was a sliver of fuel tank we never found the smoking gun. So we decided to run it up again till it fell flat and add choke to look for starving but it never fell flat and was fixed. I'm not a carb man but may be I'll learn.

I asked Craig if he wanted to fly it and he said yes. He took it up and showed out a little looking good in my new gyro so when he landed I talked myself into trying it. What a trip! It was my first solo and in my own gyro! It jumped off the ground so fast and climbed so fast I was ready to get out. It did not want to come down either. I set the airspeed for best glide and it acted like a sailplane. I finally got it down for a couple of touch and goes and a safe landing. I didn't break anything and believe I will do better next time. I had to get out of the traffic since I did not have a radio to coordinate with the other flyers but I'm ready to learn more as soon as possible.

Terri at Autogyro is getting adapters to GA plugs made for me and trying to get them here by Friday so it will be flying for me this weekend if that happens. A neighbor offered to loan me a hand held and that is what I'll do if necessary. I suppose I need one anyway but...

[Mike Stone]

I know you are smiling today!

[GyrOZprey]

... I'm just a bit envious ..... if only I could get everything right so quickly & get back to progressing on the runway!

Our handhelds have not been impressive to date.... may work better if attached to full aerial .... stubby aerial & aircraft on ground - not good comms!

[jakelantx]

Originally Posted by GyrOZprey

... I'm just a bit envious ..... if only I could get everything right so quickly & get back to progressing on the runway!

Our handhelds have not been impressive to date.... may work better if attached to full aerial .... stubby aerial & aircraft on ground - not good comms!

I don't know how well my radio works. Jamie tested it while he was doing some ground testing when I built it and gave the big thumbs up so I guess it will be okay when I get the adapters.

Have you been flying yet?

[GyrOZprey]

Originally Posted by jakelantx

Have you been flying yet?

NOPE!

Fighting - weather - winds - crossed wires on the engine(after mechanic worked on it ... took a week to figure THAT one out!!! ) now this stink'n nosewheel shimmy which eventually split the lexan pod-windshield as we were working thru diagnostic trials per Larry's checklist!!!

[CLS447]

Congratulations Don !!

Felt good , I'll bet !

I am using an Icom A14 ? handheld with its own antenae & Comtronics helmet with PTT switch. Using it's own battery.

Very simple & works really well.

[jakelantx]

Originally Posted by GyrOZprey

NOPE!

Fighting - weather - winds - crossed wires on the engine(after mechanic worked on it ... took a week to figure THAT one out!!! ) now this stink'n nosewheel shimmy which eventually split the lexan pod-windshield as we were working thru diagnostic trials per Larry's checklist!!!

I hate to hear that. Maybe you are too easy going about it. I have discovered that if I worry myself sick where I can't sleep and drive myself crazy they work out really well. I'm probably shortening my life with each episode but I severely scare myself once in awhile to make sure I feel alive as long as it lasts.

You're going to have some great times playing with the wind in KS when you do get everything straightened out. Maybe I can get Desmon to bring me for a visit when I get my 40 flown off. I plan to fly to Olney 10/27 if I can get in enough practice and my radio connectors.

[jakelantx]

Originally Posted by CLS447

Congratulations Don !!

Felt good , I'll bet !

I am using an Icom A14 ? handheld with its own antenae & Comtronics helmet with PTT switch. Using it's own battery.

Very simple & works really well.

That sounds like a good setup. I already have headsets and radio when I get my adapters in I'll be set, but a handheld is always handy for backup and flyins, so I will probably get one.

[jakelantx]

I'd like to share that there is very little wind in the cockpit when I am flying. I am always surprised when I reach out to point and my arm is almost yanked off I only flew once in mine and since I didn't have a radio anyway I went without helmet or headset and it was not too noisy. I believe it is much quieter than my powered parachute since it has the 912ULS and good silencer system.

I would like some feedback on releasing air pressure on the trim before starting takeoff roll. Does this help relieve back pressure at liftoff and decrease amount of trim needed to set best climb speed?

[WillyRose]

Originally Posted by jakelantx

I would like some feedback on releasing air pressure on the trim before starting takeoff roll.

Congratulations on your purchase, Jake. I've only just spotted this thread otherwise I'd have been posting encouragement much sooner.

I fly an MTOsport in the UK and absolutely love it. I dump most of the pressure out of the trim when I switch from Brake-Flight to start pre-rotation.

Wheels up is normally at about 40 mph. We fly just above the runway building speed to 65 for the climb-out. With only 2 bar the stick isn't trying to climb-out before it's safe to do so.

From memory, 4 - 4.5 bar normally trims for straight and-level. You'll very quickly get in the habit of doing it by feel.

Happy landings,
Clive

[jakelantx]

Originally Posted by WillyRose

Congratulations on your purchase, Jake. I've only just spotted this thread otherwise I'd have been posting encouragement much sooner.

I fly an MTOsport in the UK and absolutely love it. I dump most of the pressure out of the trim when I switch from Brake-Flight to start pre-rotation.

Wheels up is normally at about 40 mph. We fly just above the runway building speed to 65 for the climb-out. With only 2 bar the stick isn't trying to climb-out before it's safe to do so.

From memory, 4 - 4.5 bar normally trims for straight and-level. You'll very quickly get in the habit of doing it by feel.

Happy landings,
Clive

Great news Clive,

Thanks for replying. This clarifies several issues for me. My instructor did not say to dump any pressure but another instructor said to dump "some". I called a long time instuctor and asked him about it and he also said not to dump pressure. Well I accidentally read the operation manual and it says to reduce pressure to 3 bar after switching from brake to flight.

Also I ordered mine with mph airspeed and most use knots. My instructor told me to lift off at 50-55 knots (or at least that is what I remember). My first solo flight in mine I held it on the runway till 60 mph and eased back on the stick and, guess what, I shot straight up and could hardly force the nose over. I was already going so fast I did not have to worry about airspeed and I was climbing like a homesick angel! As you can see I was all out of whack.

Another thing is my airspeed indicator is green from 0-40 mph and yellow to 120 mph where there is a red bar; is that the same as yours? That makes perfect sense to expect it to lift of at 40 and hold the nose down till I reach best climb speed. I will try it in the morning.

I don't want to make my instructor sound bad I probably got mixed up. I know it will quickly become habit with practice. He had me taking off perfectly before he signed me off for solo. It was just the first time without that extra weight of the instructor and less than half fuel level, and mine seems to have a little extra power anyway.

Thanks again
Don Hunthrop

[jakelantx]

Originally Posted by CLS447

Congratulations Don !!

Felt good , I'll bet !

I am using an Icom A14 ? handheld with its own antenae & Comtronics helmet with PTT switch. Using it's own battery.

Very simple & works really well.

Hi Chris,

Auto-GyroUSA did not come through with the adapter so I went to a local shop and bought the A14. I hope it works okay using the PTT on the radio. The dealer said I might need to plug the PTT input on the headset adapter to keep from activating both the headset mic and the built in mic; I don't know. I have an older model NAC helmet with a Peltor headset I bought used that I will try with it. It has a helicopter plug so I have an adapter to get it to GA. We'll see. I'm ready to fly in the morning. The adapter for my factory radio will be in next week. I need a back-up anyway.

Don H.

[James Hathcock]

I am looking for a MTO-Sport Flying and and for sale. I am right ignorant about Gyrocopter and am trying to do some research to understand them. I am a 8000+ hour fixed wing pilot. Was a bush pilot (mer.) or what ever in Africa for many years.
My thought: Seems like the MTO-Sport is about as safe a one there is out there?
Would like to hear from anyone with any advice, encouragement, or with one for sale.
Cheers, Capt. Jimmie