Looking For Plans

[GyroJoe]

Greetings Gyrothusiasts!

I've been scouring this forum and the internet searching
for plans to build a gyro.

I want a plans-built gyro over a kit for several reasons:

1) Some kits are not what I want in a gyro,

2) Some sub-kits are costly,

3) I want to pay-as-I-go, rather than going in debt,

4) I have more hours available to spend than I have money.
If it takes me two years to build, I'm in no hurry.

5) I'm also doing it for the learning experience.

My desires are few, but I can't find any plans that fit
ALL of the following criteria for a single-(or two)seat gyro:

1) Center-line thrust

2) Tall tail

3) Non-ultralight

4) Bolted-together (I can't weld and I don't want to farm out
the welding)

The only options I see are to buy plans like the Sparrow and
modify it into a Falcon, or combine the best aspects of two or
more plans.

Have I missed something somewhere?

Any suggestions?

Regards,
Joe

P.S. Yes, I've been lurking for a month or more, but only
because I try to find any answers that may already be posted.
I've gone through 180 search results for the word "plans" on
this forum and many times that number with Google.

P.P.S. Yes, I'm a "Wannabe". But there are times when some
"Wannabes" get potty trained. And I'm looking forward to it.

[rehler]

Joe, There aren't plans available for gyros, except a very few (Gyrobee, Dominator, Bensen). Almost all are kits. However, some kit sellers sell in groups of parts "as you go" so the cost is spread out over the time you build the kit. I believe the Butterfly and Monark kits are sold this way. They are centerline thrust.

The least expensive way to go is probably the Gyrobee - the plans are free.

Also, you could save money by buying a used gyro or a kit that is not yet completed.

[Rando]

Try contacting Monte Hoskins montedebbie@aol.com This ad is old so I don't know if his email address is still a good one or not.

Subject: 3DRV Gyroplane Plans
From: Monte Hoskins
Date: Tue Jun 18 19:55:47 2002


Complete set of 3DRV Gyroplane plans with wood rotorblade plans. 100
component drawings and 30 assembly drawings to use the Rotax 503 or
582 engine. Includes engine mount and pro hub to use the EA81 or EA82
engines. $150 includes shipping in the states. email monte at
montedebbie@aol.com for more info.

Thanks
Monte

[Dean_Dolph]

Randy, you beat me too it!

I'm not sure why the RV-3D hasn't become more popular. Monte states that it can be built as an ultralight and pretty much covers everything Joe is looking for. Unless someone builds one weighs it and then reports the results of a CLT hang test, we won't know if it is CLT or not. And then that will only be for that machine, of course.

I suspect it is NCLT (near center line thrust) like most machines that people identify as CLT.

The attachment is a PhotoShop scanned file so hopefully it will open for any that are interested.

[joeheli]

Dean that looks like a Falcon.

[GyroJoe]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your input...

Ken - I couldn't find any evidence of Butterfly or Monarch
being sold as sub-kits. If I went that route, I'd probably
lean toward the KB-2 w/VW engine and make tail
modifications, etc. It's not CLT, but it's probably a
bolt-together assembly and construction plans are
available for the craft except for the critical components.

Randy - I did a Google search and found a few photos plus
another email address on Ebay. Earlier this year he
was offering all rights to the plans (a huge package with
lots of "stuff"), but pulled the offer. The starting bid
was $1000. There were no bids made. I sent enquiries
to both email addresses last night. Would I like to get
my hands on a set of those plans? You bet! Exactly
what I'm looking for, CLT, tall tail, bolt-together, and
experimental-category capability.

Dean - I couldn't open the attachment. I guess I need Photo
Shop or else I'm lacking in computer skills.

Jose - If what you see is the 3DRV, yes, it looks like a Falcon.

Again, thanks everyone, for your comments.

Joe

[Rando]

I found this in the March/April 2003 Rotorcraft magazine:

3D-RV

Single-seat open-frame autogyro

Engine: 50hp Rotax 503DC or Subaru EA-81 or EA-82

Rotor Blades: 25' Rotordyne or Rotor Hawk

Bolted aluminum tube split-keel design by Monte Hoskins. Qualifies as ultralight with Rotax 503 or 582. Plans only, includes more than 100 component drawings and 25 assembly drawings. Subaru engine mount plans included.

Width: 5' 4"
Height: 7' 4"
Length: 8' 6"

Info package: Free Video: $6.00 Plans: $175

Monte Hoskins
5190 W. Griffin Ct.
Kearns, UT 84118
(801) 969-1357

[Rando]

Sparrow gyroplane

This one looks just like the 3D-RV!

Sparrow
Correspondingly named, the Sparrow is the ultralight cousin of the Falcon. Its bolt-together aluminum frame carries a useful load of up to 240 pounds, depending on the engine (choice of Rotax 447 or 503, or Hirth 2704 or 2706). Cruising airspeed is 63 mph. Kit
Kit for the Sparrow:
(Without engine, seat tank, propeller, rotors and instruments): $3795
Plans
Plans for the Sparrow: $175

Contact Rotor Hawk Industries at 219-748-4495, or nealfalcon@aol.com.

Bolt together, all aluminum frame.

Rotor Hawk Industries, Inc.
11114 Maples Rd.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46816
Phone/fax 219-748-4495
nealfalcon@aol.com

[joeheli]

Gyrojoe I just open for you the file, so you can see the plan tha Dean was showing in his post.

[Dean_Dolph]

I just reviewed the 3D-RV construction manual and Monte Hoskins says:

"Since the 3D-RV gyroplane is built from construction plans, it can be built in several ways. One way is to build all the parts yourself, assemble and balance your 3D-RV. A second way is to build most of the gyro yourself and buy the components that require machining. A third way to build a gyro similar to the 3D-RV, is to build the Falcon Gyroplane offered by Rotorhawk. The Falcon is actually a copy of the 3D-RV Gyroplane. The Falcon is very similaar to the 3D-RV, except for some minor differences, such as the placement of the control stick, control panel and the Falcon uses a composite tail instead of the aluminum tail as the 3D-RV does."

The item that will need to be added to a 3D-RV is a horizontal stabilizer. I haven't studied other gyro assembly manuals in depth but the one for the 3D-RV seems to be comprehensive and has a lot of tips.

[Brent_Brown]

I would think that more 3drv type gyros would be flying. converting ant old bensen/KB is very doable and will fly better. A guy at my runway tells me he knows where a complete bensen still in the boxes is at. I asked how much he wanted for it. I was guessing he had it and was playing me. He will see and get back with me. So I may have a kit for someone who is in need of a deal.

[GyroJoe]

Well Gyrothusiasts,

"IF" I can get those plans (Monte stated on the Ebay page
in May of this year: "Do to my health I discontinued my gyroplane
interests and plan to travel across country with my wife in our
travel trailer..."), then a 3D-RV it will be.

But, I'll need a back-up plan...a Sparrow converted to a Falcon?
Or a Bensen/KB converted to a 3D-RV?

Keep those ideas coming...they're for everyone!

Thank You,
GyroJoe

[Rando]

My personal preference would be an Ernie Boyette Ultrawhite!

[Dean_Dolph]

Brent, I agree! If, as claimed, these machines can be built as ultralights then it is another alternative to the GyroBee and the Dominator UltraWhite.

I have just looked at some pictures that I believe are of the Falcon. If it is then another difference I see between it and the 3D-RV is that the Falcon has a 1" X 2" aluminum piece installed below the main keel that runs from a guesstimate 8 - 10" behind the front wheel to the bottom cluster plate as a brace ala the NCLT Air Commands. It looks like a valid enhancement.

[gyroguy]

Hey Joe,

Ken Rehler mentioned "Dominator" in his post, but no one followed up! There are plans for the Dominator. I know. I have a set.

Center-line thrust, tall tail, not ultralight (if you don't want ultralight). A little welding, mostly landing gear, so buy it from the factory.

I'm posting the address below. Ernie was there (at least prior to the latest hurricane).

Contact:
Ernie Boyette
Rotor Flight Dynamics
19242 Grange Hall Loop Road
Lithia FL 33547
E-mail: <rfdlouie@att.net>
813-634-3370