Baronpilots visit to see the Turbinator

[StanFoster]

Todd- Thanks for posting that video. I was especially interested in the amount of stinger clearance I had during those quick stops. It was right where I was hoping it to be. The more aggressive my quick stop, the higher the flare should be of course. Quick stops are a very useful maneuver to practice as one needs to do these in a real full stop auto. Could you send me a captured frame of one of the last quick stop where the nose is at its highest? Can't wait to see your Helicycle flying Todd. We should have quite a few of them at Mentone this summer! Rochester sells JetA and feel free to share my enclosed hanger they give me each night. Stan

[baronpilot]

Just photoshop it Stan since everyone here knows you can't really fly a helicopter

I will pick out some good stills and email them to you.

[jcarleto]

Actually...and I may be biased...Bonanza pilots make good gyro pilots. The soft hands required for a Bonanza are exactly what is required for good cyclic control.

Cool V...Beautiful airplane!

To someone else's comment about the "doctor killer..." They are that. They are not an airplane for inexperienced pilots. However, they are not unstable, they are merely slick and fast. They suffer from the same issue that plagues all aircraft that are able to cruise well above control speed. Stupid pilots.

It isn't the same problem as high thrustline or PIO instability in gyros. A Bonanza, or Piper Malibu or others of the same flight characteristics fly very stable and fast...right up to the point a Darwinian pilot jerks the tail or wings off going 50 knots above control speed trying to do a Cessna 152-style maneuver to jerk the nose up out of a dive in a panic.

Oh yeah...Stan...the helicopter was nice too

[baronpilot]

JCarleto - EXACTLY! The Vtail Bonanza is a true high performance plane that is built for someone with some stick time. It is rock solid in all phases of flight and makes a great instrument platform. The problem lies in that performance. It will cruise in level flight right on the yellow line and a 3-4 degree pitch down will put you at the top of the yellow very quickly. The design and flight characteristics are solid. This plane is not like a Gee-Bee, nor can it be compared to a poorly designed gyro that is unstable.

Once you get use to the light touch you will throw stones at other airplanes.

[jcarleto]

Todd,

You don't have to sell me. I have over 1000 IFR hours Bonanza time in conditions. I wouldn't be comfortable in another single. Mine's a 1956 "G" model. I also had a 1950 "B" model for many years.

[baronpilot]

If you get a chance, fly a 67-69 V35 or V35A model with a IO-550. Those are the best years for the Vtail. Light airframe with the big motor and the refinements that mattered.

[RotoPlane]

Great job of shooting that video Todd. This was the first time I've had a good look at Stan's ship flying around…cool quick-stops.
I figured Stan probably was flying in his videos…now I have proof he can do it .

I was getting the control feel of a friend's vee on a bumpy day and could see the nose yawing on the horizon. My brother-in-law was setting in the back seat….he de-planed looking green and wearing one shoe. I didn't know about the yaw-dampener thingy….

[baronpilot]

Stan has the quick stop down very well. He is a very smooth and calm stick. I like what I saw in the machine overall and his is a fine example of how one should be built.

[jcarleto]

I've flown a '68 V35 quite a bit. Nice to have the power. I was actually searching for a '56 when I found the one I have. Power is good, but you can't beat the fuel economy of the old Continental E-series engines (even though they are a pain to maintain). These days, fuel matters more and more.

[baronpilot]

Originally Posted by jcarleto

I've flown a '68 V35 quite a bit. Nice to have the power. I was actually searching for a '56 when I found the one I have. Power is good, but you can't beat the fuel economy of the old Continental E-series engines (even though they are a pain to maintain). These days, fuel matters more and more.

J- Actually, the IO-550 is more efficient than the smaller engine and the stock io-520 in the V35. WIth GAMI injectors you can get 170+ knots all day on 11.5 GPH at 11k ft running lean of peak. LOP operations also give you cylinder head temps under 330 for all cylinders and extends your engine life dramatically. If you want to save even more fuel just throttle it back. The real advantage is on hot and heavy days. 1100 lbs of people, fuel and bags, still yields a 1000 FPM climb to 6k and 700+ to 12k and that is at 125-130 knots indicated.

[StanFoster]

Todd- Thanks for taking that video, and your comment on my quick stops. Ed , thanks also on the quick stop comment. Those are a fun, but very important maneuver to get proficient at.

[Tina]

Great video Todd and Stan. Just my 2 cents but if I could afford a helicycle I would get one of those instead of a Gyro any day

[Gyro_Kai]

Originally Posted by baronpilot

Stan and his Turbinator:

http://youtu.be/iz9taw8Ny2c

Fantastic video, great to see this great machine and pilot from the outside for a change. Thanks for posting.

Kai.

[StanFoster]

Kai, Tina, Ed and others- Thanks for the comments. It was fun for me to see my Turbinator from the ground perspective. Todd did a professional job, and he was hand holding the camera! The quick stops are the first I had seen. I do them all the time, and was pleased my stinger was at a sufficient height. Stan

[Scary Gary]

And it looked cool.