All,
I'm just looking for pros vs cons of Gyro Tech or Sportcopter blades for an RAF 2000. Not a question about rotor heads, that's a different issue (albeit related).
Thoughts on efficiency, lifespan and rotating moment of inertia, hub design, etc.
Stew
Hello Stew,
Thank you for inquiring aloud about Sport Rotors, which have been installed (often with our upper mast plates, rotorhead, and 4-way air-trim) on many RAF 2000s.
Sport Copter Check Out Our Instagram for More Updates and Photos
www.sportcopter.com
We use only aerospace-grade materials (6061-T6), and we do not extrude the skins (or entire profile) but instead bond the skins with Boeing's process to the leading edge spar.
Our 8.5" chord blades come with our well-proven 6061-T6 hub bar (with Heim-jointed NAS bolts allowing the blades to smoothly position for lead-lag and coning angles).
Compared to the new Gyro-Tech blades (which seem to have a good reputation so far), Sport Rotors should provide a slightly faster cruise AS at identical power setting.
Our longevity may be the highest in the gyro industry: 2000 hours, thereafter on condition. I.e., there is no ___ hours "time out."
We know of blade sets still safely flying with 3000+ hours.
We have never had a single in-flight blade or hub bar failure.
Even during full RRPM impacts, our Sport Rotor system remains intact.
Some of our customers have flown through power lines or chopped their own prop, yet landed safely.
Below are some links from one of our 2015 customers, an RAF 2000 owner:
I've been flying Sport Rotors in my RAF2000 for two years so far, and have grown to really appreciate their superb flying qualities, and amazing strength. Having visited Sport Copter on multiple occasions and toured the factory, I know what goes into their production. Sport Rotors are not a...
www.rotaryforum.com
Howdy all, I've received my Sport Copter RAF2000 upgrade of upper mast plates, rotorhead, hub bar, blades, and 4-way air trim. I've not spun it up yet, nor installed the trim, but the rest has been installed. Here are my comments so far. I welcome comments from those who already have the SC...
www.rotaryforum.com
Many RAF owners have partially or totally upgraded to the Sport Copter rotor system. Along the way since 2008 there have been many threads wondering aloud how to null out the new and strong stick forces required when flying with SC rotors. This can be a confusing installation since the stick...
www.rotaryforum.com
Stew, your being a "3500+hr military rotary puke" you'll really appreciate our engineering, quality, and performance since 1958.
Feel free to give Jim Vanek a call here at 503-543-7000 to discuss our Sport Rotors further!