Helicycle Hatchery

All whining aside. I'm really happy for you.
 
Love it Stan!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sweet sweet sound. I almost heard the igniter do it's thingy and the deep humm........
 
That was KOOL. And is that your garage. I can't even find the floor in mine. Man that is clean.
 
That's what I'm talkin' about! That's the sound that says "Yea...........I'm for real!

Whoopeeee!

Awesome Stan. Thanks for the video.
 
I have my dual sensor hooked up now, and I just finished making brackets that trigger the engage and disengage micro switches.

The clutch automatically freewheels when its either fully engaged or disengaged....the lights in the panel tell me when to let off the buttons.

I have to spiral wrap the wires....then this is done.

Stan
 

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Well Stan... Indisputable.... Is the best build I seen so far... Now the question is... When the countdown begins for the first lift-off.... Cant wait to see it in the air...

Enjoy it....

Jose
 
Very Nice Stan!!!! I just love that sound!!! Hope you are up flying soon!!!
 
Bloodyell Stan, ark er up mate.

That sound definatly makes the blood rush dont it?
 
At the risk of sounding like a broken record........thanks everyone for the comments. This chopper is almost ready for 'da man', Tom Milton to come down and do the airworthiness inspection. If it passes, then I am down to requesting a factory checklist to see if all is in order for Doug Schwocherts 4 day intensive factory checkout, and its first flight.................Everything I have done wil be scrutinized, adjusted etc. The main and tail rotors will be static balanced, then the turbine will be first started and adjusted. The main rotor will be electronically balanced very precisely, as well as the tail rotor. The cg will be adjusted, then Doug will first fly my baby to further adjust the settings of trim etc. Then It will be my turn as I take flight in my own helicopter, tbe TURBINATOR, as I fulfill a 30 year goal of mine of flying my own helicopter that I had built. I don't take this lightly, as its the biggest 'material' goal I have ever set for myself. I am excited to say the least. I am almost there. Stan
 
Still waiting.....but now closer
 
I static balanced the main rotor this morning. Basically, the rotor tips are supposed to measure the same off the floor when balanced.

First order of business is to get the chordwise balance set. This involves removing the pitch links...and placing an airfoil template /level on the rotor blade. You adjust the drag link in and out so that the rotors chordline balances out to level. You kind of shake the mast slightly, and the blade will roll to its balance point. The drag link adjusts the mass of the rotor blade down its longitudinal roll axis...and its easy to make the blades nose go up or down by just very slight movements of the drag link. Once this is done...then the measurement from the floor to the same point on each blade tip should be the same.

However....I thought...what happens if the floor isnt level? Concrete especially. I checked mine and where I measured the rotor at 12 o'clock, the floor was 3/8 of an inch lower than at the rear at 6 o'clock. I checked this with a very accurate laser level. I then placed some 3/8 thick material on the floor at 12 o'clock, so that this then is a level base to start measuring from.

My inititial measurement showed the front blade was 79 3/16 inches...the opposite blade was 79 11/16 inches. I took the tip weight off the low blade and ground about a 1/32 of an inch off.

I made sure each time the the chord was level...and after the rotor blade found its own level...I checked it. It was now 79 3/8 in the front...and 79 1/2 at the rear. I was getting close.

I repeated this three times..before I ground any more. It came back within a 1/32 of an inch everytime. Next I took the wood end plug to the grinder and ground off a tad..replaced it...and I overshot a little. My low blade at the front was now 1/16 inch higher...so I ground just a smidgeon off the rear blades tip block...and checked it. It was dead on...and stayed consistently within a 1/16 of an inch for and aft off the floor measures. That seemed awfully close to me. That AN3 washer in my hand lowers the level blades 1/4 inch...making a difference of 1/2 inch. Thats how fine and low friction those needle bearing are in the hub.

I am satisfied I have static balanced the rotor blade to the best of my ability....especically taking into consideration the error in my concrete floor. That was step #1 in my opinion....making sure I am measuring off something that is dead nuts level. I mean.....why do this finesse work half hazard? It would just be a waste of time.


Next I have to pre-load the pitch horns with 3 pound weights and adjust the drag links ...and then it will be set for its initial spinup.

Doug Schwochert will be rechecking all my work....but I want to have the confidence knowing I know how to set this stuff up. I will have to hold my own hand eventually, so I may as well start now.

Stan


Stan
 

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Ok Stan, now that you're nearing the end, just don't go rogue on us....must wait for Tom and Doug first before you light that candle! Almost there, hang in there! Thanks again for documenting this build so well; it will inspire may to come, and teach them to accept nothing less than the best workmanship in their builds.

-Dustin

"The Flying Lab Rat"
 
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Dustin- I am confused. I havent even for a fleeting moment considered starting this engine...let alone go fly it! I have already stated that Tom Milton is doing the airworthiness...and Doug the checkout...........then.......it will be my turn to fly. I am not going to pull a Red Baron maneuver and thumb my nose at more experienced people. ha


Stan
 
I can assure anyone out there wondering about Stan.... He has more self disciple than most people. That would be the last thing he'd do. Not because he couldn't pull it off. It's just not him doing that kind of stuff. Good for you Stan. There is a rather sweet fruit of that work and patience. :)
 
Stan why not make a water level? Take some clear vinyl tubing (cheap stuff from hardware store) and lay it on the floor, and tape it to a jack stand or something at each blade tip, so the ends come up 90 degrees and point towards the ceiling, then fill with colored water, the water will be exactly the same height at each end, regardless of the inaccuracies of the floor.
 
looking good Stan, I lucked out, I just recently met a Helicopter owner in Va. that has a Chadwick balancer.

I have talked to him about helping me get the Commuter dialed in.

now to see how much he is going to charge me, but hey at least we found a Chadwick to use.

Can't wait to see the test flight of your baby.
 
I'm not doubting you Stan, and I'm not saying you will, but as we've all seen, good people do go feral at times, I'm just helping keep that little devil off your shoulder and out of your ear. I see it with my soldiers all the time. Shoot, the Lord knows I'd be tempted myself.
 
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