Noseblock: Fe or Al?

Brian Jackson

Platinum Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
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3,543
Location
Hamburg, New Jersey USA
Aircraft
GyroBee Variant - Under Construction
Howdy HIVEettes.

After re-studying pages 37 & 38 of Ralph's Documentation, it is suggested that the Noseblock be made of any grade of Steel (pg. 38), but also permits 6061-T6 Aluminum (pg. 37). The noted reasons for favoring Steel is "...steel is stronger and provides needed nose weight" (emphasis mine).

For those whom have flown/built a 'Bee (including Ralph ;) ), why is this extra pound or two at the nose needed? I'm guessing its for ground handling and not for balance, since the rotor cheek plates correct for W/B. Please enlighten.

Thanks,
Brian Jackson
 
Noseblock origin

Noseblock origin

The original Bumble Bee had a 1/2 inch hole for the nosewheel pivot bolt drilled in the lower wall of the 2 x 2 keel. It is remotely possible that this arrangement might work on asphalt, but the first evening of taxi work on grass trashed the keel wall.

We needed a fast fix, so I went to the local machine shop with a drawing for the present nose block - a 10-minute solution, sketched on a napkin - and he cranked it out in a day. He didn't have any 6061-T6 billets but did have plenty of steel!

The steek block will never wear out and is absolutely impervious to the loads imposed when operating off grass. Aluminum would have shaved some weight, but some additional mass at the front end of the keel helped with CG distribution without being "wasted" weight. The simple (and cheap) steel block took the nosewheel pivot from being the most vulnerable to the most rugged part of the airframe. Since the Documentation describes the prototype, that is how the print was done.

I hate it when I am forced to document the deepest secrets of gyro design.....

Ralph
 
Ralph said:
I hate it when I am forced to document the deepest secrets of gyro design.....

Ralph
:D :D :D

Hey, some of the inventions that changed the world were sketched on the back of napkins! True to form, the simplest solutions tend to be the correct (and most elegant) ones.

Thank you, Ralph. Your secret's safe with me ;)

Respectfully,
Brian Jackson
 
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