Hello all

dustoff45

Newbie
Joined
Oct 2, 2022
Messages
5
Location
Winssboro, SC
Just joined and happy to have found this forum. I live in Winnsboro, SC. Last week I bought a KB-2 that was built sometime in the 90's. The powerplant is a 1.0 3cyl Suzuki. I could use a little advice. first with the rotor blades. The blades are original Benson's with unknown hours. I have heard about "Dragon Wings" but can't seem to find a number for the company. The second problem is an instructor. I can't find one anywhere in my state. I've flown my Quicksilver Mx. I have around 100hrs stick time while in the army, in a OH-58. Having said that I'm looking to get a few hours under my belt before attempting any take off's. Any advice is welcome.
 
Welcome to the Rotary Wing Forum Dustoff45. You may have to travel for a flight instructor.

Unless the blades are corroded or have impact damage they are likely airworthy.

Having a knowledgeable person look over your aircraft would probably prove beneficial.

Likely someone will be along soon who will be happy to help keep you safe.
 
Hi Tony and welcome.
We’re located in Wadesboro, NC at the Anson County Airport.
We have several people in our group that live in SC.
We would love to check out your machine and help with anything you need to get ya flying!!
Come on over anytime!
Barry Kropelin
Carolina BarnStormers
Thecarolinabarnstormers.com
A8C3009F-B933-4FA6-BDCC-3D19884CC15D.jpeg
 
Barnstormers is a great resource and best guys ever. High five Barry. As for the Dragon Wings they are no longer being produced. Long story short they were sold to another company who defaulted on contract and despite possible legal action planned to continue making them. Since then we have heard that the person in charge feels there is no market for them and has ceased even trying to make them. If you want Dragon Wings used is the only option but they may be pricey because the supply is limited and drying up fast. Dad built over 2000 sets of blades over a 30 year period. Not sure how many are left flying. If you luck out might find a set still in the box that they were shipped in. If not try Razor Blades. If it were me on a KB 2 that isn’t too heavy I would use the Bensen Blades to tradition from your instructors machine to your own. If you learn on those draggy and efficient blades then you can fly the much more expensive ones later. I Would check with Steve McGowen out of Macon Georgia he teaches in a Parsons two with a Mazda rotary on it. It is the closest to place machine to what you’re going to be flying. He also can look at your set up and make any recommendations he thinks you’re going to need. Be prepared when you speak to him he’s a marine and he will not hesitate to tell you if he feels your machine is dangerous or unairworthy. He will also tell you if you are in capable of flying a Gyro and should take up golf. He has been around many years and he’s a good instructor but as with anyone who has done something for a long time they don’t want to waste your time or their own by beating around the bush. I have a feeling that the Suzuki set up may be a little heavy although original KB2 had a volts wagon engine on it which was adequate to fly but just barely on Bensen Blades.
 
Barnstormers is a great resource and best guys ever. High five Barry. As for the Dragon Wings they are no longer being produced. Long story short they were sold to another company who defaulted on contract and despite possible legal action planned to continue making them. Since then we have heard that the person in charge feels there is no market for them and has ceased even trying to make them. If you want Dragon Wings used is the only option but they may be pricey because the supply is limited and drying up fast. Dad built over 2000 sets of blades over a 30 year period. Not sure how many are left flying. If you luck out might find a set still in the box that they were shipped in. If not try Razor Blades. If it were me on a KB 2 that isn’t too heavy I would use the Bensen Blades to tradition from your instructors machine to your own. If you learn on those draggy and efficient blades then you can fly the much more expensive ones later. I Would check with Steve McGowen out of Macon Georgia he teaches in a Parsons two with a Mazda rotary on it. It is the closest to place machine to what you’re going to be flying. He also can look at your set up and make any recommendations he thinks you’re going to need. Be prepared when you speak to him he’s a marine and he will not hesitate to tell you if he feels your machine is dangerous or unairworthy. He will also tell you if you are in capable of flying a Gyro and should take up golf. He has been around many years and he’s a good instructor but as with anyone who has done something for a long time they don’t want to waste your time or their own by beating around the bush. I have a feeling that the Suzuki set up may be a little heavy although original KB2 had a volts wagon engine on it which was adequate to fly but just barely on Bensen Blades.
Thanks for the info Mike. I'll give Steve a call. I grew up ( for the most part) at Ft. Belvoir Va and lived right outside of the main gate at Quantico for a couple of years after dad retired, My father was a Dustoff pilot and I followed in his footsteps. I crewed Huey's with the 1259th Med Det. I'm sure I can get along with Mr. McGowen. I grew up around airfields and live a couple of miles from (SC2)
 
Sounds like you will do fine soldier just bring him a pack of 64 crayola’s. Just talk slow or else you might need a translator. First lesson is hoooah to them is Ooooraw. I think. Hard to distinguish between grunts and words. I was in the Army from 91-94. Commo.
 
"The reason the four services are always fighting is because they don't speak the same language!
Tell a Marine to secure a building and he will all in an artillery strike, raze the building and kill everyone inside it.
Tell an Army guy to secure a building and he will move squads all around the building to make sure no one can go in or out.
Tell a Navy man to secure a building and he will close and lock all the doors and turn the lights off.
Tell an Air Force man to secure a building and he will put down a security deposit for a one year lease!"

not mine....and now we have like 6 services some with purple hair!
 
Thanks for the info Mike. I'll give Steve a call. I grew up ( for the most part) at Ft. Belvoir Va and lived right outside of the main gate at Quantico for a couple of years after dad retired, My father was a Dustoff pilot and I followed in his footsteps. I crewed Huey's with the 1259th Med Det. I'm sure I can get along with Mr. McGowen. I grew up around airfields and live a couple of miles from (SC2)
I was an Army Brat and lived at Ft. Belvoir 1967-1971, lived in Douge Creek Village and went to Markham Elementary 3rd-6th grades.
 
"The reason the four services are always fighting is because they don't speak the same language!
Isn't that the truth!

A Marine, sailor, soldier and airman were in the head, during a break, at some kind of purple suit convention at the puzzle palace.

After finishing his business, the Marine stepped in front of the mirror, straightened his gig line, did a quick search for Irish pennants, and walked out.

The other three carefully washed their hands before leaving the head.

The swabbie, doggie and wingnut caught up with the Marine in the passageway.

With all three looking at the squared away Marine disapprovingly, the wingnut asked the Marine “Didn't they teach you to wash your hands in the Marine Corps?”

The Marine said “No, in the Corps, they teach us to not piss on our hands.”
 
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Isn't that the truth!

A Marine, sailor, soldier and airman were in the head, during a break, at some kind of purple suit convention at the puzzle palace.

After finishing his business, the Marine stepped in front of the mirror, straightened his gig line, did a quick search for Irish pennants, and walked out.

The other three carefully washed their hands before leaving the head.

The swabbie, doggie and wingnut caught up with the marine in the passageway.

With all three looking at the squared away Marine disapprovingly, the wingnut asked the Marine “Didn't they teach you to wash your hands in the Marine Corps?”

The Marine said “No, in the Corps, they teach us to not piss on our hands.”
Ok, Jim, I knew what the gig line is from my time spent in Boy Scouts.

But, I give...not having been in the military...what are Irish Pennants?

And, are Swabbies, Doggies, & Wingnuts military jargon for Navy, Army, & Air Force personel?
 
A loose thread is called an Irish Pennant. And the names are really terms of endearments for the members of the semi-military branches.

Jim
 
Military Service rivally is as old as when Moses was a cadet. In reality, there is much admiration and respect for the other services, especially in the time of need.

I know a retired USMC Colonel that had a Company of National Guard Combat Engineers attached to a Marine Battalion in Iraq during OIF. I heard him say several times in public that the Company of National Guardsmen were equally as trained and as brave as his own Marines. Having them attached made the Marines' job easier and saved many Marines' lives with their expertise.

Wayne
 
Military Service rivally is as old as when Moses was a cadet. In reality, there is much admiration and respect for the other services, especially in the time of need.



Wayne
But a little chain jerking is always in order.

Jim
 
I was an Army Brat and lived at Ft. Belvoir 1967-1971, lived in Douge Creek Village and went to Markham Elementary 3rd-6th grades.
My brother was stationed at Ft Belvoir with the 20th Engineer Brigade before and after his tour in Vietnam with the 25th ID. He would commute to the Puzzle Palace to work.

I went TDY for two weeks at the Puzzle Palace. I brought my wife along so in the afternoons we could take time to visit local historical sights. We were at Mt. Vernon (George Washington's House) when I started not feeling well. I told here I need to purchase some over the counter meds. She asked, "where will you get some out here?" I said, "Right next door at the PX in Ft. Belvoir."

Wayne
 
But a little chain jerking is always in order.

Jim
Absolutely!

Twenty years ago I had a Marine Major General as a boss within a Joint Command. He and I got along very well as all aviators do. I still keep in touch with him. I was attending a joint service meeting at NAB Coronado. Navy, Army, USAF, DoD civilians. Full of upper Field Grade and Flag Officers. During a lunch break I was feeling quite ballsy when I asked an Admiral, "Since I never had served in the Navy. I've been told that the only reason why the Navy has a detachment of Marines on their ships is so the sailors have someone to dance with on a Saturday night. Is that true?" The noise level immediately dropped to gasps and "ooooh" sounds. Then everyone burst out in laughter. The Marine MG looked at me with the fatherly tone of look with a schmirk and shaking his finger. I immediately looked back at him as a kid who had been caught and said. "What?"

Wayne
 
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