Texasautogyro
Gyro Master Instructor
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2011
- Messages
- 1,755
- Location
- Tomball Texas
- Aircraft
- AutoGyro MTO Sport/Cessna 172
- Total Flight Time
- 6400 with over 2400 in gyro
In the past 12 months I have had the chance to test 12 gyros and live. In this process only 3 were safe 9 had problems that could have killed the pilots. Of the 3 that were safe 2 I assisted in the building. I did not assist in any of the others. This is not a good track record.
Problems included wrong rudder control problems, 2 engine out problems 2 fuel problems, throttle control reverse problems. Rotor head problems, Trim control issues, landing gear problems, Pre rotator problems engaging in flight.
Many gyros had more then one issue. Some were caught before flight thank heavens. We caught a fuel line leaking and found no hose clamp was put on the pressure side of the fuel pump. I found a rudder cable not adjusted correct and the turn buckle only held by 2 threads with no safety wire.
All of these had been inspected and airworthiness certificates issued. I am grateful to have helped the owners check them first and maybe saved a life or two. Several had already been flown in these bad conditions and I was told things like something just does not seem right. Then asked if I could give an opinion.
In these cases the pilots and would be pilots used good ADM and asked for a second set of eyes.
Do not! I repeat DO NOT Test fly your own machine unless you have extensive time doing just that!
Do Not buy a machine you have not seen fly!!! This meaning taking someone’s word for it. If its a kit fine but get people that know what they are doing to help you do it. Then get a qualified pilot to test it.
Problems included wrong rudder control problems, 2 engine out problems 2 fuel problems, throttle control reverse problems. Rotor head problems, Trim control issues, landing gear problems, Pre rotator problems engaging in flight.
Many gyros had more then one issue. Some were caught before flight thank heavens. We caught a fuel line leaking and found no hose clamp was put on the pressure side of the fuel pump. I found a rudder cable not adjusted correct and the turn buckle only held by 2 threads with no safety wire.
All of these had been inspected and airworthiness certificates issued. I am grateful to have helped the owners check them first and maybe saved a life or two. Several had already been flown in these bad conditions and I was told things like something just does not seem right. Then asked if I could give an opinion.
In these cases the pilots and would be pilots used good ADM and asked for a second set of eyes.
Do not! I repeat DO NOT Test fly your own machine unless you have extensive time doing just that!
Do Not buy a machine you have not seen fly!!! This meaning taking someone’s word for it. If its a kit fine but get people that know what they are doing to help you do it. Then get a qualified pilot to test it.
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