Flying at Ocotillo Wells

[F5 Tornado]

Does anyone know if there is some place to fly around Ocotillo Wells? It looks like it could be a good place to fly, and there actually is a runway at Ocotillo Wells. It's a dirt runway and I'm not sure if it's active or not. I'm basically looking for a place to tow a gyro glider around for a while. Ocotillo is only about a 1 1/2 hour drive from my location, whereas El Mirage is 3 1/2 hours. Also, are there any other get togethers out at El Mirage, other than the Ken Brock Fly-in?

 

[Kevin_Richey]

Forum member Dave Bacon has a place @ Ocotillo Wells. Has also flown his gyro there. He has lots of gyro glider experience, starting when his mom held him in her lap while his dad was piloting the gyro glider back when he was about 3 yrs. old!

Google maps shows El Mirage is about 2 hrs. & 5 mins. from Escondido, about 20 minutes further than what OW is from Escondido.

 

[F5 Tornado]

Wow, so he's been in it his whole life. That's awesome. I really wish I could have started younger, but, parents wouldn't allow that. I'll have to get a hold of Dave and see what he thinks of my gyro. Also, El Mirage is a pretty big place. I need to find the exact area where people fly at, and if there's other times, besides the Ken Brock Fly-in, that people get together.

 

[okikuma]

A very young Dave Bacon and his dad.

Wayne

 

[F5 Tornado]

A very young Dave Bacon and his dad.

Wayne

That's so cool. Wish my dad did that. Thanks for linking that.

 

[dabkb2]

Hello, Yes I fly out there all the time, probably tomorrow.
We could tow a glider on L90. Its a county airport, dry lake bed. Do you have a glider? I'm in Vista. Give me a call 7six05183266 Dave Bacon

 

[F5 Tornado]

Hello, Yes I fly out there all the time, probably tomorrow.
We could tow a glider on L90. Its a county airport, dry lake bed. Do you have a glider? I'm in Vista. Give me a call 7six05183266 Dave Bacon

Hey Dave, not yet. What I mean by that is, I am probably going to remove the motor and motor mount from my Bensen B8-M and replace the cheek plates/head plates with longer ones to get the CG correct. Should the gliders have a quick release tow connection, and how long of a tow line should there be?
Todd

 

[dabkb2]

Hey Dave, not yet. What I mean by that is, I am probably going to remove the motor and motor mount from my Bensen B8-M and replace the cheek plates/head plates with longer ones to get the CG correct. Should the gliders have a quick release tow connection, and how long of a tow line should there be?
Todd

Hey Todd, you have the correct CG the way it is and could tow it. I have a few sets of glider check plates, It will be lighter without the motor, but I don't think you would notice it much if at all.
Yes you need the correct tow release, I have a couple.
50' is about minimum, the more length, the more area you will be able to fly in.

 

[F5 Tornado]

From what I've read in the Bensen Gyro-Glider Building and Operating Manual, it says that you need to set the CG at about 4° forward tilt on the mast when hung by the teeter bolt. I'll try to take some pictures of my whole setup tomorrow and see what you think of it, and what should be changed. Oh, by the way, did you go flying today?

 

[dabkb2]

Powered or unpowered, the angel needs to be the same to center the stick.
Life got in the way of me flying today, but it looks like I have the rest of the week off so I will be flying.

 

[F5 Tornado]

Here's some pictures of the cheek plate setup I have to try and determine where my CG should be. I'll have to do a balance test also to find the actual center and see where the thrust line intercepts.

 

[Mayfield]

Hi Todd

I'm sorry if I missed it, but has anyone else told you that your seat is lower than the seat on a Bensen?

Jim

 

[F5 Tornado]

No, I was wondering that myself. It did look a little low. I don't know why the previous owner lowered it, but I'm sure it needs to come up a bit for a better thrust line.

 

[F5 Tornado]

Here's some other pictures

 

[Mayfield]

I don't have my plans in front of me, but it looks about a foot low to me.

 

[F5 Tornado]

I don't have my plans in front of me, but it looks about a foot low to me.

Wow, that's a lot. I'll have to look at my plans too and see where it should be. I'm guessing that would change the CG substantially.

 

[Mayfield]

A foot is a WAG. 8" to 12" to my eye

 

[dabkb2]

I can't tell from the pics but there's not a lot of room below the seat to start with, 1" or 2".
Can you take a pic of the main wheel brakes? My dad was a Bensen dealer and clampable brakes was on of his mods. Where did that gyro come from?

 

[F5 Tornado]

The gyro originally came from Carl Peterson Jr from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Here's a couple pictures one of the axle brakes, and a couple of the nose wheel assembly.

 

[F5 Tornado]

I can't tell from the pics but there's not a lot of room below the seat to start with, 1" or 2".
Can you take a pic of the main wheel brakes? My dad was a Bensen dealer and clampable brakes was on of his mods. Where did that gyro come from?

Here's some better pictures of the brake assemblies. Notice how the front brake pad is not connected to the caster wheel bracket and doesn't pivot with the front wheel.