CFI Pop Quiz #325 - Procedures, Taxi

[Chris Burgess]

Which is true concerning taxi procedures in a gyroplane?

A) Keeping the rotor system level creates less lift and more stability.
B) Cyclic stick should be positioned slightly aft of neutral when taxiing.
C) Rotor blades should not be turning when taxiing over a rough surface.

 

[Paul_Zurawski]

As far as I know, I would want the rotor turning while taxiing...you would have control of the rotor that way to keep it from getting rocked back and forth in the wind. (B)

 

[EI-GYRO]

Beeeeeeeeeeee for meeeeeeeee

 

[dick]

B..................is the only way

 

[birdy]

if the wind is is ya face, apply abit o backstick to keep the rrpm up.
if the wind is from the side and gusting, stick into it, and same if its up your ass.

 

[pbradley]

B) Cyclic stick should be positioned slightly aft of neutral when taxiing.It might be neutral in relation to postion but definately not neutral in relation to feel.

 

[Aussie_Paul]

There is not the correct answer listed so the "most" correct has to be.
B) Cyclic stick should be positioned slightly aft of neutral when taxiing.BUT what if the blades are only turning at 60 rrpm and you have a headwind component of 20 mph? You would need to have the stick fully forward to prevent rotor flap!!!!What if the blades are turning at 100 rppm and you have a 5 mph tailwind?You would want the stick fully back to maintain rrpm!!!!

Just showing how unknowledgeable the people setting the exams are. There have been too many of these "half right, half wrong" questions for my liking in these exam questions. Not fair to have to try and second guess what they (the question makers) think they want!!!!

Aussie Paul.

 

[Chris Burgess]

Ask yourself this, and this only, True?... or False?... about each answer.

I think this is a left-over Air and Space 18A question.

 

[devon532]

I tried to just type B but an error message came up saying I had to enter at least 10 letters, so my answer is B B B B B B B B B B.

 

[dick]

There is not the correct answer listed so the "most" correct has to be.
B) Cyclic stick should be positioned slightly aft of neutral when taxiing.BUT what if the blades are only turning at 60 rrpm and you have a headwind component of 20 mph? You would need to have the stick fully forward to prevent rotor flap!!!!What if the blades are turning at 100 rppm and you have a 5 mph tailwind?You would want the stick fully back to maintain rrpm!!!!

Just showing how unknowledgeable the people setting the exams are. There have been too many of these "half right, half wrong" questions for my liking in these exam questions. Not fair to have to try and second guess what they (the question makers) think they want!!!!

Aussie Paul.

I could not have said it better Paul,

 

[EI-GYRO]

That's the problem with multiple-guess exams.
" Have you stopped beating your wife" Answer Yes or No.

 

[mceagle]

"C" is false
"B" is sometimes true and sometimes false
"A" is definately a true statement

I think they are looking for "A"

 

[Chris Burgess]

I'll start with, even I don't like the choices. But "A", can stand alone and be a "True" statement. "B", while it is one I would also like, can not stand alone unless you also say no wind, direct headwind, good rotor rpm, after prerotation etc, and then aft of neutral is something pretty steep. Too steep if the rotor rpm is low and you have a strong headwind. "C", you should turn the blades to unload the stresses on the hub and rotors.

The Air and Space 18A flight manual says to "hold the stick neutral". This is to prevent the main rotor blades from pounding the droop stops & causing unnecessary strain & roughness. I think this question and answer is derived from that note.

In the real world with calm wind, I prerotate with the rotor level, or full forward stick. Once I see 100 rpm minimum, I smoothly and slowly go to full rear stick. Disengage the prerotator. I then let the aircraft start rolling with the engine at idle. If it doesn't start to roll right away, "goose" the throttle to start it moving. Once it's moving, 5-10mph of relative wind will be enough to maintain rotor rpm. I do not try to attain max rotor RPM with the prerotator. I feel you should save the equipment and not put any more stress on all the head components then you must. (I am still on my original prerotator wheel after 555 hours and it shows no wear, 29 foot heavy rotor) I'll put a disclaimer here. Do not attempt this procedure without proper training and experience. I used a Parson tandem trainer for ten years without a prerotator so I learn it "the hard way". We usually get the remaining rotor RPM on the taxi out to the runway. Of course, any wind predicates how you hold the stick, but in calm air with me, it stays on the rear stop, centered laterally. If no obstructions around, I tilt the rotor slightly into the turns to apply some rotor thrust against any centrifugal forces in the turn. Make the turns slowly, retarding the throttle to idle first.

Unfortunately, the study guide says most correct answer "A" Which is true concerning taxi procedures in a gyroplane? (A) Keeping the rotor system level creates less lift and more stability. Reference cited is FAA 8083-21, but I couldn't find this statement!!! Please don't kill the messenger!!!

 

[GyroRon]

I was thinking A, but got tired of being wrong so I passed on this one.....