RAF owners/drivers

[Harry_S.]

Starting this thread for the RAF people. Intent is to gather and pass on info, tips, mods, questions, answers, experiences and whatever comes up.

Let's start it off with cylinder compression checks. How good was yours, what cylinder, by number, was the worse?

I checked mine today and No. 2 was the culprit at 72 psi.

[StanFoster]

Harry: Good idea on this RAF thread. I cant answer the compression numbers...but here is a tip I can throw in for supporting the rotor.

RAF suggests that the blades will be better treated if supported. I didnt want to have stands...so I rigged up a simple pulley sxstem. The back blade goes in the corner of the hanger over some a rope diagonaly acoss the corner. I simply grab the little rope hanging down under the triangle and swing it over my front blade..and then pull it up to the ceiling and tie it off. Takes less than a minute.,,,, and the other planes scoot right out under my high blade

That little triangle is a piece of conduit with plastic going over it so it wont mark the rotor and also wont stress the trailing edge of the blade.

[StanFoster]

another view

[davreich]

Holy Cow,
An actual POSITIVE threat with no negative. Count me in. A small "cone of silence" is welcome. I need to take a picture of my blade supports. I use expandable fiberglass painting poles with drywall sanding pads on the end. The bases I made but the certain patio umbrella stands would work. ;D

[GyroRon]

Okay... RAF sucks and Dominators rule. ;D

No they are good machines if you work out all the bugs. I can't wait to see and sit in a true Sparrowhawk to see if the added room inside makes a big difference. If the RAF was roomier inside I might be tempted to own one myself.

[StanFoster]

Harry: I also teed into my fuel line and put a clear sight gauge for my fuel level. I have the mast marked so as I can read exactly from my 5 gallon minimum to 22 gallons full. The sight gauge has a small petcock at the top that I open to check the fuel level. It really beats trusting the electronic fuel gauge.

[Aussie_Paul]

Stan, that is a great idea. Did you mean keel or mast for the markings?

Aussie Paul.

[StanFoster]

Paul: I meant the mast :.....thanks. I will go edit it. ;D

[asmuzsr]

Stan
I did the same thing, put in a sight gauge. Like you said much better. I marked mine on the cabin.
Were'a another way to support your rotor blades. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot or any place were you can get adjustable painting poles. You know the kind that start off maybe 5 feet and extend to 10. Put an paint roller on the end with a thick soft knap. Put it under the blade and push up taking the weight off the blades. use a bungee cord across the top to hold it in place. Attach this before you extend the pole. Make sure the rotor brake is on so the rotors don't swing.

Tony
N267A

[KenSandyEggo]

Why should gyro blades be supported and huge, heavier and longer copter blades not need to be supported? Is support only required for glass blades? I don't really see the need on my aluminum blades. Where does this recommendation come from? I can see it if transporting with the blades on, but why in a hangar? What harm can come if they're not supported while parked?

[birdy]

Ken,
When I had RAF blades on me RAF,I used to support them when it was hangered like these blokes do,it did reduce the skake a fair bit ,as though they alter form or cone angle or somthing. ???

Stan and others,I can see the fuel through the plastic tank,is mine different to yours???? ???

[KenSandyEggo]

Here's an interesting shot. Notice how the glass blades on the closest one droop compared to the aluminum ones. Maybe the glass ones need to be supported. I can sure attest to all the cracking near the straps on my old ones. Maybe the drooping aggravated it.

[StanFoster]

Ken: Awesome shot of those SparrowHawks.....glad to see you posting. I never will forget your desert flying story with the bikers. ;D

I was told to support the blades by others that do. It doesnt take me a minute to string them up.....plus the other planes can get out with out touching my RAF

Birdy: I would have to be "Superman" to see my fuel level through that grey tank. ;D. By the way Birdy.....love reading your posts.

[asmuzsr]

Stan
Those are the modified RAF's. Look down the row to 26AV that is the one I sold to Randy.
Tony
N267A

[StanFoster]

Tony: Thanks....your right. I should have recognized the RAF cabins.