Are transponders suggested for gyro planes?

[Richard Randolph]

Wait. You are going to do low and slow XC in a gyroplane and you are ordering a Tango? With a Yamaha engine?
My advice would be to stick with a Rotax 4 stroke aircraft engine if you are going to do XC. It is expensive but it is also less likely to quit just at the wrong time.
Is Tango still making gyroplanes. Their main assemblies (frame rolling carriage, composites, props and blades) all came from Russia and I know that isn't happening any longer. I think they were trying to setup something in the US but I was not aware that they had finished setting up production here? Have they?

 

[Richard Randolph]

Yes! They have recreated their own drawings, have a US fabricators for frame and parts. They have a company making their own blades and clutch, etc. They use the Yamaha engine as you wrote. Please share with me why a 4 cycle is more dependable than a 2 cycle? Pavel "Paul" Vagner took over the company after his father died. Here are the links to get more information
www.TangoGyro.com
www.Facebook.com/TangoGyro
770.310.0355
Richard

 

[WaspAir]

Please share with me why a 4 cycle is more dependable than a 2 cycle?

Two- strokes have a reputation of being much more prone to sudden stoppages.

 

[Richard Randolph]

Two- strokes have a reputation of being much more prone to sudden stoppages.

That would be a game changer. I started doing some research. I discovered Yamaha will no longer make there two cycle engines after 2024 due to pollution issues. However, weight to power, the two cycle is the better engine.

 

[Sv.grainne]

The website and info is dated. My experience with 2 strokes is probably like most folks. I do not think you can compare reliability between a 2 stroke snowmobile engine used in an aircraft application and a 4 stroke Rotax.

Weight to power maybe, reliability a whole nother issue!

 

[Abid]

Yes! They have recreated their own drawings, have a US fabricators for frame and parts. They have a company making their own blades and clutch, etc. They use the Yamaha engine as you wrote. Please share with me why a 4 cycle is more dependable than a 2 cycle? Pavel "Paul" Vagner took over the company after his father died. Here are the links to get more information
www.TangoGyro.com
www.Facebook.com/TangoGyro
770.310.0355
Richard

One thing I would have not made are the blades starting out. But perhaps they know more about extrusion and stuff than I did starting out.
2 strokes run well while run and then they stop. Doing XC you really want to stick with aircraft engines not alternate engines.
Yamaha engines Pavel will use are not 2 strike engines. They are 4 strike but they were made for snow mobiles. There have been many problems with Yamaha long term in use with aviation. Water pump impeller does not work and cavitates abd causes overheating issues in Tangos. At least two I knew of.
Do your research and talk to owners flying with Yamaha engine. Ask how many of them have done long XC flights.

 

[Sv.grainne]

One thing I would have not made are the blades starting out. But perhaps they know more about extrusion and stuff than I did starting out.
2 strokes run well while run and then they stop. Doing XC you really want to stick with aircraft engines not alternate engines.
Yamaha engines Pavel will use are not 2 strike engines. They are 4 strike but they were made for snow mobiles. There have been many problems with Yamaha long term in use with aviation. Water pump impeller does not work and cavitates abd causes overheating issues in Tangos. At least two I knew of.
Do your research and talk to owners flying with Yamaha engine. Ask how many of them have done long XC flights.

And how many have had a catastrophic failure underway. My first gyro flight was in a Tango and I did most of my training in one. I was always worried about the high RPMs and other issues. And they are not 2 stroke engines....my mistake.

 

[Richard Randolph]

The website and info is dated. My experience with 2 strokes is probably like most folks. I do not think you can compare reliability between a 2 stroke snowmobile engine used in an aircraft application and a 4 stroke Rotax.

Weight to power maybe, reliability a whole nother issue!

Yes, I believe you are correct. I am inquiring about using the Subaru engine, the 165HP, used on Sparrowhawk gyros.

 

[Richard Randolph]

Yes, I believe you are correct. I am inquiring about using the Subaru engine, the 165HP, used on Sparrowhawk gyros.

I contacted Tango Gyro and their engines are 4 cycle! Relieved to hear this!

 

[Richard Randolph]

I recommend using something like Sandia STX165 mode C transponder (because you are never going to fly above 18k feet) and echoUAT + SkyFx bundle for ADSB in and out.

The bundle I think ends up being around $3800

I will pursue this - thank you!

 

[DavePA11]

You would probably live longer flying gyros if you purchased an AR-1 with Rotax and got some good training.

 

[Richard Randolph]

Experimental Aircraft do not need the same FAA approval that certified aircraft do so avionics tends to be less expensive for Experimental aircraft.
The prices have been coming down for ADSB out and legacy transponders are fairly inexpensive. If I recall correctly three years ago I spent around $1,500 for everything except installation which I managed with friends.

Vance - where do I purchase these legacy transponders? Just before Christmas I purchased an AR-1 in upper New York. It does not have a transponder.

 

[Richard Randolph]

You would probably live longer flying gyros if you purchased an AR-1 with Rotax and got some good training.

Dave - I now own one. I purchased one built by Bill Whitesides - now deceased. I have had Lessons from Steve McGowan, Greg Clare, and Gregg Spicola. Weather interrupted the lessons with my last two guys. All are great guys and great instructors. I haven’t soloed but that of course will be my next goal. Good training is a must for me.

 

[Vance]

Vance - where do I purchase these legacy transponders? Just before Christmas I purchased an AR-1 in upper New York. It does not have a transponder.

I purchased mine on E bay. Barnstormers works too.

 

[Richard Randolph]

I purchased mine on E bay. Barnstormers works too.

To be sure since this is all new to me, gyro planes that is, you are speaking about buying a used Collin’s or King, etc. transponder, then adding a new ADSB? And, yours have been trustworthy? My AR-1 is in the shop getting an annual and the 5 year review/updates on the Rotax. Once I solo I want to add these avionics.

 

[rcflier]

I would buy a new, modern transponder. Because ADS-B can be added. And being round, it fits well in the dashboard.
My Funke unit is sadly too old to be upgraded. Well, we don't use ADS-B much here anyway.

 

[MonkeyClaw]

Do you have a portable GPS, or use an iPad or Chromebook app? There are a few economical transponder options that can use an ADS-B add-on. I find the ADS-B traffic invaluable, as we get a lot of low helicopter and fixed-wing traffic in my area.

 

[Vance]

To be sure since this is all new to me, gyro planes that is, you are speaking about buying a used Collin’s or King, etc. transponder, then adding a new ADSB? And, yours have been trustworthy? My AR-1 is in the shop getting an annual and the 5 year review/updates on the Rotax. Once I solo I want to add these avionics.

Mine is a Bendix King TK76 and my recollection is I purchased it for $250.

I had to have it checked after installation and every two years.

I added a trig ADSB out that required a separate GPS antenna another transponder antenna for around $1,300.

You may have a panel space problem.

I used to have it on the side and it was very hard to see. I got a smaller radio/intercom and it allowed me to move it to the panel.

Abid probably has the best solution and understands the space restrictions on the AR1.

 

[Abid]

Dave - I now own one. I purchased one built by Bill Whitesides - now deceased. I have had Lessons from Steve McGowan, Greg Clare, and Gregg Spicola. Weather interrupted the lessons with my last two guys. All are great guys and great instructors. I haven’t soloed but that of course will be my next goal. Good training is a must for me.

Richard send me an e-mail ([email protected]). I may have a used Sandia STX165 transponder that we use as standard in AR-1 that I could sell you at reduced price. I think I also have a uAvionix echoUAT and SkyFx (ADSB IN/OUT) used there as well. It came off of a trike. It will save you 40% off new prices.

 

[Abid]

Dave - I now own one. I purchased one built by Bill Whitesides - now deceased. I have had Lessons from Steve McGowan, Greg Clare, and Gregg Spicola. Weather interrupted the lessons with my last two guys. All are great guys and great instructors. I haven’t soloed but that of course will be my next goal. Good training is a must for me.

Bill Whitehouse. Upstate NY. It is one of the earlier AR-1s. Bill Whitehouse unfortunately passed away of cancer. His wife told me on one of his last flights, he was so weak that when he landed and went over a bump or something the bone in his arm cracked. I am glad he could fly his last flight but I cannot fathom flying in such a condition. People surprise me beyond my imagination all the time. May he RIP.