Hey Chuck, is a single 2x2x.125 6061T6 tube ok for a mast?

[skyguynca]

I am having to have weight as much as I can to make Part 103, really make it under 254 lbs. Would it be safe to use a single square tube 2x2x.125 6061T6 tube for my mast instead of the redundant mast?

It saves 3lbs over the redundant mast and if I remember right the Hornet I built many years ago used the single square tube for the mast.

I will keep the gross weight below 500 lbs. and the only holes drilled in the mast will be at the cluster plate.

Thanks

David

 

[All_In]

Chuck's 103 used round tubes for the entire ride. I'd copy his it is perfect.

One day I'd like PRA or manufacture to make a kit out of it.

 

[All_In]

Carbon fiber is the way to go for weight. However, it increases the cost.

 

[Jazzenjohn]

Gyros 1&4 use(d) a single piece of 2x2x.125 6061-T-6. No holes in the middle. Also used a piece of 2.5" round x .083" 6061-T-6 tube on #2 and a piece of 2.25"x .058 Titanium tube on #3.

 

[skyguynca]

That is what I thinking I had read somewhere beside I think it was what I used on the Hornet I built, but that was 2004 I think.......I believe I am getting older now.............


Thanks John and John.....

 

[DMPrather]

Chuck's 103 used round tubes for the entire ride. I'd copy his it is perfect.

One day I'd like PRA or manufacture to make a kit out of it.

Looks very stable. Are there plans available for this gyro?

 

[skyguynca]

Chuck's 103 used round tubes for the entire ride. I'd copy his it is perfect.

One day I'd like PRA or manufacture to make a kit out of it.

Yes, I even have a copy of Chuck's drawings. This is however beyond most builders. You have to be able to weld and some fittings have to be machined from raw stock.

David

 

[All_In]

Can you send me a copy? My email address is my Name John Rountree, with no spaces, '@MSN.com'
If you can I'll submit it to the 3 colleges and see if we can make a PRA kit for next years classes.

 

[skyguynca]

Ok, will do.

 

[C. Beaty]

Square 2x2 tube is OK for the mast without holes at mid mast; use clamps instead.

Bensen picked square tube for ease of home building because through bolts can be used without internal spacers if located tangent to a wall.

OTH corner holes is the worst possible location from a structural standpoint.

Square tube exacerbates 2/rev vibration problems.

2.5x0.120” round tube has the same stiffness as 2” square tube.

My tailboom on top gyro is a good example of what not to do from a 2/rev vibration standpoint. The ‘slider” rotorhead was only a partial solution. It was built before Bell Helicopter’s chief engineer, Bartram Kelley*, wrote a series of articles about their 2/rev chase among other thing.

*

 

[skyguynca]

Thanks Chuck. Always a well of great knowledge.

 

[skyguynca]

Can you send me a copy? My email address is my Name John Rountree, with no spaces, '@MSN.com'
If you can I'll submit it to the 3 colleges and see if we can make a PRA kit for next years classes.

Done, you have all the drawings that I got.

David

 

[All_In]

U-ROCK! I love the way people help each other on this forum!!!

 

[DMPrather]

Any chance that the plans can be posted to the PRA website under the plans section?

 

[All_In]

Any chance that the plans can be posted to the PRA website under the plans section?

If we can get Chuck's permission?????

 

[skyguynca]

If we can get Chuck's permission?????

Just ask, that is what I did.

I can understand if he does not want them published. Liability reasons........this country has allowed to many frivolous lawsuits.

my .02

 

[Tpknueven]

I would be interested in seeing the drawings as well, tp knueven @ gmail with no spaces thanks T