OH MAMA!.......Smoooooooth!

[Harry_S.]

Ken:

Read Part 119.1 and 121. Also, your annual will take care of everything less than 100 hrs.


Cheers

 

[enewbold]

Here's a pic of the one I'm getting. Now tell me it's not a sweetheart. I think I'll be very happy with it and it'll be more conducive as to people being willing to get in and go for a ride. This is something I enjoy doing immensely. It looks more "aircrafty."

Man, it's absolutely beautiful! Well done!

If you or anyone else hears of another J2 up for sale, PLEASE let me know!

Have a great time flying it.

Ed in Columbus, OH

 

[animal]

Way to go ken, from that pic I see it has the 3 blade prop,if I recall right the version with the 3 blade prop was called the Super J-2.
very nice machine. So when do you get to go pick it up?
Tim H.

 

[ScottTinnesand]

Commercial Flying

Commercial Flying

Ken,

Let me know when you plan to start using your J2 for money making. I'd be happy to share what I know with you. As a 135 pilot myself, I can tell you that there are a myriad of issues to take care of before you begin. Also, take my word for it, it's not that easy to just look up the info in the FARs. Even the rules on local sight seeing flights can be complicated.

Many don't really learn the ins-and-outs of what a commercial license allows you to do when you get the license. Early on in my training I thought once you got the commercial you could fly for hire. It's true but very convoluted. Seeing how most get the commercial so they can get the CFI and build hours, they never need to learn the true workings of FAR 119, 121, and 135 until much later.

Anyway, shoot me an email if your interested.

Scott

 

[KenSandyEggo]

"(d) Nonstop sightseeing flights conducted with airplanes having a passenger-seat configuration of 30 seats or fewer and a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that begin and end at the same airport, and are conducted within a 25 statute mile radius of that airport; however, except for operations subject to SFAR 50–2 of 14 CFR part 121, these operations, when conducted for compensation or hire, must comply only with §§121.455 and 121.457, except that an operator who does not hold an air carrier certificate or an operating certificate is permitted to use a person who is otherwise authorized to perform aircraft maintenance or preventive maintenance duties and who is not subject to FAA-approved anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs to perform—"

Bold and italics are mine. Apparently sight-seeing flights do not have to come under part 135 and what....120-something and have operational certificates. The 2 compliances above are for flying drunk or under drugs. I looked at 119, 121 and 135, and it's not really very clear.

It doesn't really say when a commercial certificate is exactly required, unless they mean doing anything for compensation always requires one. It looks like what a "Barnstormer" needs to have is an FAA approved facility or mechanic do the work on the plane, a commercial certificate, start and land at the same airport without any stops and don't fly more than 25 miles away. Actually, it looks pretty uncomplicated, other than meeting the commercial requirements, in order to just sell short rides at a fly-in or airport. But what do I know?

 

[KenSandyEggo]

Tim, mine is the "Super" with a constant-speed prop. I will be paid for my gyro on the 25th of this month with pick-up a few days later. Mine is in Little Rock, AR. We just put our condo up for sale in anticipation of moving from San Diego to Charlotte, NC. I sure would love to bring her to San Diego for awhile and fly her around here some, but that would probably mean disassembly and trailering for such a long trip. That 20 gallons doesn't last long in a 180 h.p. gyro for that long of a X-country.

Practically speaking, we will probably move to Charlotte and then I will ferry her from Little Rock to Charlotte. This way the 3 blades don't have to be disassembled, a job a lot different than removing a simple 2-bladed system, I believe. I don't think I'm up to a ferry flight to San Diego and then back to Charlotte. The gas bill would kill my wallet.

By the way, does anyone know of someone who has J-2 ferry tanks laying around? They were an option. I'd like to buy, beg or borrow them, preferably buy. I talked to a couple guys in central California that had a J-2 for sale with ferry tanks, but I passed on the deal. Guess it wouldn't hurt to ask them.

 

[Chuck_Ellsworth]

Ken:

Set your mind to rest about your new toy.

The J2 is a neat machine and you will love it.

I did my Commercial Gyroplane License on Jim Vaneks J2 and I still have an origional J2 Pilot Operating Manual...hell if you don't get a manual you can have mine....

Chuck E.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

Chuck, I have a flight manual with all the specs for climb-rates, take-off runs, etc. I have "The J-2 Gyroplane and how to fly it" in a .pdf file, but not a hard copy. This is the one you probably mean.

Jim's has the wooden prop and mine has a constant-speed, so the performance should be somewhat better.

I also found a ferry tank that I can borrow. The owner also knows a guy that has several and he was giving them away. He's going to see if he still has some.

 

[MikeBoyette]

Oh Lord Ken in Awad's neck of the woods. This should be fun. I can't wait to see the first pictures of Ken flying with Ron in the RV.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

It would take some serious statements under oath for me to crawl into Ron's RV. I am NOT a fan of aerobatics. Call me "Ole Straight and Level," as far as fixed-wings go. cluck-cluck.

 

[Chuck_Ellsworth]

Kenny...

Yes my J2 Pilot Operating Handbook is a hard cover, origional from the factory, it was given to me by Chuck Vanek and I will probably never need it again.

I would be honoured to give it to you for your dedication to your fellow aviators and the entertainment that you have provided me with over the years on Norms Forum and now here.

I am of course still in Europe and will be going to Egypt in about ten days...after that I may get back to Canada for a couple of weeks...it all depends on the bookings for the airshow circuit here in Europe....we never really know where we will be going....the next big one will be Budapest Aug. 18 to Aug. 22 we are waiting for conformation from Red Bull who will be sponsoring our airplane for that show.

So if you want it I will send it to you when my season is over.

Chuck

 

[animal]

Tim, mine is the "Super" with a constant-speed prop. I will be paid for my gyro on the 25th of this month with pick-up a few days later. Mine is in Little Rock, AR. We just put our condo up for sale in anticipation of moving from San Diego to Charlotte, NC. I sure would love to bring her to San Diego for awhile and fly her around here some, but that would probably mean disassembly and trailering for such a long trip. That 20 gallons doesn't last long in a 180 h.p. gyro for that long of a X-country.

Practically speaking, we will probably move to Charlotte and then I will ferry her from Little Rock to Charlotte. This way the 3 blades don't have to be disassembled, a job a lot different than removing a simple 2-bladed system, I believe. I don't think I'm up to a ferry flight to San Diego and then back to Charlotte. The gas bill would kill my wallet.

By the way, does anyone know of someone who has J-2 ferry tanks laying around? They were an option. I'd like to buy, beg or borrow them, preferably buy. I talked to a couple guys in central California that had a J-2 for sale with ferry tanks, but I passed on the deal. Guess it wouldn't hurt to ask them.

Cool Deal Ken,lets us know when you get to carolinas,I am in greensboro about 85 miles from charlotte. So can we count on you to have it at ROC this year in OCT?
of course keep us informed I bet you can't wait.
I don't know where the stuff ended Up but I bought parts for mine from Don farrington. at one time they had a bunch of J-2 parts. as for takening the blades off the J-2, it should be easyer then the semi ridgid rotor, since it is on flapping hindges, I know when Bill my business partner had his TH-55, he could take his blades off in about 30 minutes. since you don't have to readjust anything when you put them back on if you have them color coded it flew great everytime.
You will truely love this machine. BTW we have some good airshows around here, would be cool to see ya fly it in and put it on static display at some of them.
Fly safe.
Tim H.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

Thanks, Tim. I hope to make all the fly-ins over that way. Believe it or not, there are not that many in southern California. When I flew my Ercoupe in Illinois, there was one close by every weekend except for hard winter.

I believe my extra rotor-head came from Don Farrington. It's brand new.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

Thanks, Chuck. I'll get in touch when you get back and send you my address. You live such a boring life for an old fart like me.

 

[animal]

Thanks, Tim. I hope to make all the fly-ins over that way. Believe it or not, there are not that many in southern California. When I flew my Ercoupe in Illinois, there was one close by every weekend except for hard winter.

I believe my extra rotor-head came from Don Farrington. It's brand new.

You will love flying around here, there are small airports all over the place.and a bunch of airshows and Fly-insthey have just started haveing the Big EAA antique classic fly in at the Burlington airport again in the spring that, is always a Big one. and I bet the J-2 would really stand out there as it is a classic,then we have the warbird museam up in asheboro about 20 miles from here,then you also have some airshows in danville v.a. not far. gastonia, which is near Charlotte. statesville is also close and hickory,so I am sure you can stay busy on the weekends. hopefully I will get this Scorpion sold and get a gyro to fly soon.

Tim H.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

About 6 months ago, this guy Frank that lives near the airport wanted to track me down. He's seen my gyro flying overhead and has been interested in gyros all his life, but never rode in one. He finally tracked me down and has been dropping by every once in awhile while I got her ready. Today was the day.

We flew over to Ramona Airport to visit Reis Evans and his wife Katherine...maybe Catherine, I forget. Hung around for about 45 minutes and then headed back. We left around 9 a.m., so the heat hadn't come up yet to cause any thermals. We've been having a heat-wave here. Attached are a few pics he had Reis take. It may be hard to see, but he had that "Gyro-S**t-Eating-Grin" on his face all day. He's in trouble. His wife is against him flying. I gave him the name of a good attorney.

What I found interesting is that it seems that with the new rotor-head and blades, she is just chomping at the bit to leave the ground, even with a passenger. Frank only weighs about 140, but when I took my step-son David the other day, it did the same thing, and he weighs 200 pounds like me. That's 400 pounds of lard on the seat and David and I had 3/4 tank of gas on board. I messed both take-offs today. Landings were fine. One O.K. and one "NAILED."

I also turned onto the runway at well over 200 rrpms both times. It appears that with that much rrpm, I don't have enough ground speed to be flying when I pour in full throttle and need to wait. She easily lifts off at a very low speed and I have to wiggle the stick around trying to keep her straight while she wallows until flying speed is built up.

I believe that what I have to do is to purposely hold the nose-wheel on the ground until some ground speed builds up and then ease back on the stick. When I turn onto the runway with the over 200 rrpm going about 15 m.p.h., it's too early to go full throttle and she wants to lift off right away. It's almost impossible to try to balance on the mains, as the tailwheel must sit about an inch-and-a-half off the ground. There's hardly any room to balance. Any similar experiences or comments?

 

[pwendell]

Ken,

I always find that I have to keep adding forward pressure during the takeoff roll to keep the ship on the ground until I have suffcient airspeed. This is true with the AAI modifieds I've flown (all, I believe, with Sport Copter blades) and especially with the 2.5 Sparrowhawk. On a good day, I can keep it balanced on the mains until takeoff, otherwise the nose wheel is just lightly on the runway. Once I've built sufficient speed, 50-55mph, I simply relax the forward pressure and she lifts off. I have to add a little forward and left pressure just as she leaves the ground, and a touch of right pedal, to keep her straight. When I've let the aircraft come off early by mistake, it tends to go quite nose high and roll to the right. The first takeoff I made in the Sparrowhawk was really ugly because it came off the ground much earlier than I anticipated. Lesson learned.

I know you have a lot more experience than I do and have probably seen this before, but what you described sounds exactly like what I've felt from day one in the ships I've flown.

 

[C. Beaty]

A gyro normally lifts off before the rotor is fully up to speed. The rotor must support the full weight of the gyro for a couple of seconds to get the last 25 or 30 rpm.

It’s quite obvious with a mechanical rotor tach but perhaps not so with a digital readout.

During the first few seconds following liftoff, a substantial portion of the retreating blade is stalled which increases the flapping angle and tilts the rotor disc rearward, requiring more forward stick until full rotor rpm is reached.

Allowed to lift off too early, the machine flounders around with the stick near the forward stop. Early liftoffs use more power and require a bit of skill to maintain control.

 

[KenSandyEggo]

Well, sounds like I just need to keep that puppy on the runway a little longer. It just didn't seem so pronounced with the old RAF rotor-head, even with the S-C blades. The different feeling just threw me a little. She just seems to want to leave the runway a lot sooner and easier than before. Thanks for the comments.

 

[gyroplanes]

Man, it's absolutely beautiful! Well done!

If you or anyone else hears of another J2 up for sale, PLEASE let me know!

Have a great time flying it.

Ed in Columbus, OH

Yell real loud on this forum. Mike Avenoso wants to sell his J-2.