M912 Demonstration videos

[Master Roda]

Thanks Mark!

We believe a gyroplane should be capable of STOL....otherwise, whats the point? If it can't handle a little rough ground and lackluster landings it isn't a true STOL gyroplane.

Jon

[feedpro]

After many months of gyro examination, I chose the Vortex M912 because of the way it is built and because if ranchers down under could gather cattle with it, then I could write dreams that feature me flying and landing everywhere.

I am just about ready to start enjoying my M912. I got the FAA to agree that I built 51% of it and they will inspect when I get done making sure everything is as it should be. Then it will be flown to ranches all over my area to visit old friends and to prove the value of true STOL performance. I can hardly wait.

The story of my experience learning to fly a gyro at Sport Copter will appear soon in Powered Sport Flying magazine.

Then a story on the M912 ability to perform off airport operations, will follow sometime after I practice a whole bunch. I am going to practice and then travel to a CFI to get his opinion on my ability and a few new ideas on ways to perform the things I am not sure about. Wish Birdy lived in these parts, not to instruct, but to show me the mountain to climb. He is doing today what I hope to be doing when I am 80. Got to hurry though.

[Semler]

How many in Australia are actually working these gyros?

[ms80831]

Originally Posted by Master Roda

Thanks Mark!

We believe a gyroplane should be capable of STOL....otherwise, whats the point? If it can't handle a little rough ground and lackluster landings it isn't a true STOL gyroplane.

Jon

Jon

I can't say the Xenon is truly STOL, but is as close as any 2 place Gyro I know of. Second perhaps to your 2 place.

At 9000 feet DA, I get off in 500 feet with a 590 lb. payload, and can land zero wind in less than 100 feet. BUT...... That is on pavement or smooth dirt. The Xenon is too fragile to take off or land in a field except in an emergency.

I love the looks of the European factory built machines. They look nice, but most are ground lovers with any payload, and most fly off pavement ONLY.

And it's not just the Europeans. I know guys that will not fly their dominator off of an improved dirt strip for fear of busting their nose wheel if it hits a bump.

Then there is Todd, Thomas and I. Todd and Thomas flew off the dirt at Springs East Airport all the time. Since Todd moved to Meadow Lake, he uses the dirt crosswind just as I do with the Xenon. Thomas has used it too when he visits with his gyrobee.

So I admit, part of it is pilot comfort zone, and a lot of it is confidence (or lack there of) in one's machine on anything less than a paved runway.

That is why machines like the Butterfly and your Sportcopters stand out.

You understand if the gyro is to advance beyond the toy stage, it must become more useful and less fragile. Gyro's have the potential to not need airports or runways at all. That opens up a whole new world of where you can fly to and from.

All Gyros can get into places they can't get back out of. The new 912 Sportcopter has solved that problem. For a short take off you need a good rotor system with a powerful pre rotor, and a good power plant to drive it. You have it.

To land short or on unimproved surfaces, you need blades that hold some inertia, a strong landing gear system and decent sized tires. You have it.

Good Job Guys.

Mark

[ckurz7000]

Nice demos but you're definitely in the red part of the H-V diagram here. If the engine quits during that kind of take-off or landing you're going to splat it in. You couldn't put that procedure in a POH.

-- Chris.

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by ckurz7000

you're going to splat it in. You couldn't put that procedure in a POH.

-- Chris.

Maybe, but the suspension works better than you think. I'll get some video of the machine doing those moves without engine power. On second thought, no I won't. These videos say it all.

We also demo a loop and roll. Why? To show what the machine is CAPABLE of. We DO NOT recommend actually doing them for obvious reasons. I doubt you'll see a demo from other manufacturers like these. Butterfly is the only one I can think of that might have a machine that can.

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by Semler

How many in Australia are actually working these gyros?

I'm not sure. They don't exactly tell us what they are going to use them for.

[ms80831]

Jon

How much does the 29 foot 8.5 blade weight?

[brs]

I have 30 x 8.5 on my SHREDO. They weigh in, assembled w/hub bar, right at 100 lbs.

[Rusty Russell]

Short take off rolls look awesome.. whats the procedure for a powerout? For me... airspeed is good!

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by Rusty Russell

Short take off rolls look awesome.. whats the procedure for a powerout? For me... airspeed is good!

Believe it or not the suspension (read:machine) will save your arse in pretty much any situation.
But you should view the machine as a SYSTEM. Without the castoring nosewheel,high lift rotors, larger tail,and quality parts, it wouldn't be as good. Being able to handle a hard impact (even sideways)without damage to the machine OR person is important to us. That's why we even use thermoviscokinetic foam in the seat. The foam is designed to save your spine and neck in high G impacts (up to 15).

I don't endorse any moves that will get you into trouble. ALWAYS fly as you are supposed to (good airspeed,altitude,proper training,etc,etc)The purpose of the video is to demonstrate the capability of the machine.

Jon

[choppergabor]

I am still amazed of the cross landing footage. Just wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww