EICH JE-2 flying articles

Hi Jonathan

There were some articles waaaaaaay back in the old PRA magazine "ROTORCRAFT" but I can't tell you when they were. It was this machine and the story on Arliss Riggs that got me into the tractor gyro. The JE-2 was quite an amazing machine for what it did with a 65 hp engine and later a 85/90 hp engine BUT it had a serious flaw. The rotor was near the 50% position on the fuselage and at a full power climb out with maximum climb it could start a flat spin on you with very poor chance of recovery unless you had lots of altitude. Jim flat spun his in as did some others, so he quit the plans.

Just a little piece of learning that has become very important to future tractor design. The flat spin was caused by "P" factor.


Tony
 
Hi Jonathan

I really don't know, twin rudders might have done the trick, since the very small rudder that was used was a factor, other wise a major re-design was necessary to shift the location of the rotor.

Tony
 
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