Prospective Cavalon Owner and Career Helicopter Pilot Needs Advice on Buying/Options

[ventana7]

Xavier - Can you update your M24 with the noise reduction configuration Tyger is referring too?

I have only been buying the fixed wing aircraft that are built with metal frame rather than the fiberglass fuselage since it’s possible to repair the fixed wing aircraft built with metal frames at more reasonable cost. The fiberglass ones are not easily fixed... Problem with gyros if you tip them with rotor spinning it’s almost Like buying new to repair it. Wonder if the manufactures could add anti-tip rods or extend the landing gear out wider to make less likely to tip in some of these scenarios? Sportcopter’s design is less likely to tip with the castering front wheel and suspension.

The really wide wheelbase on the Xenon gives it tremendous stability on the ground.

Rob

 

[Greg Vos]

The really wide wheelbase on the Xenon gives it tremendous stability on the ground.

Rob

AND... dare I say a very real Helicopter in flight experience! I hear them asking Greg how do you know....because Im a Helicopter Pilot and IMO the Xenon is the closest thing to a R44 in flight at a fraction of the cost, easy to work on nice cabin and with a ANR headsets its the bom ...se' maar net

 

[DavePA11]

Hi Pavegeno - any updates? How is your search going? Have you flown any of the gyros?

 

[Pavegeno]

Hi Pavegeno - any updates? How is your search going? Have you flown any of the gyrosGoing well. I have also reasearched the Magni

I had a great flight last weekend in a Magni M24 at Gulf Shores and really liked gyro flying. My almost 14 year old flew as well and he loved it. I'm planning on knocking out my Comm-Rotorcraft, Gyro early next year. Amazing machine.

I've started researching insurance and am awaiting a quote. I didn't like what I was told on how expensive insurance is. I'll wait to see the quote, but if it holds true, it could be a deal breaker. That would mean just renting for leisure flights if rentals are even available.

I have combed through all of the NTSB reports online and am alarmed at how many mishaps there are. The trend points specifically to very poor aviation decision making and overconfidence of low-time pilots which, of course, influences the insurance rates. Perhaps the next year or so will see an upturn in safety and falling insurance rates.

 

[Tyger]

I think you will find that insurance IS expensive, to the extent that it's available, and that rental flights are generally not allowed in the US.
Did you go up with Mark Sprigg? He gave me my check ride.

 

[Pavegeno]

I think you will find that insurance IS expensive, to the extent that it's available, and that rental flights are generally not allowed in the US.
Did you go up with Mark Sprigg? He gave me my check ride.

Yes, with Mark. He clearly loves what he is doing, and is very good. I look forward to flying with him again sometime.

 

[Illini85]

I would expect that with your experience and credentials your insurance rating would be as favorable as possible. You would be an insurance company's dream. I know Mark has had direct communications with insurance reps about improving this issue for his clients.

 

[DavePA11]

Hi Pavegeno - Any news on insurance estimates? Did you look at the Xenon? Thanks.

 

[Greg Vos]

If it’s not used for training the insurance should not be much?

 

[Pavegeno]

Hi Pavegeno - Any news on insurance estimates? Did you look at the Xenon? Thanks.

I took a look and it is a nice aircraft. No word back yet on insurance.

 

[DavePA11]

I think used AR-1 with 914 or Xenon would be nice option, but I haven't been in a Xenon yet. M24 with 915 would be nice.

 

[Greg Vos]

M24 is very small inside and no place to pack a thing, it does in my opinion offer a better resale value than many others, but for the awkward look of a xenon or AG 915 they are simply much lighter and more of a helicopter in feel flight wise.

For me personally I like the light cyclic and unobstructed view the xenon types offer, but I think you guys have to buy them in a kit? That is not great for the guy who is not good with his hands?

Comparing a M24 to a Xenon or AG 915 derivative, my take on it is that you could buy a Toyota Corolla and be guaranteed it will give you a great resale value, or you could by the Lexus and be assured it’s resale value will be compromised? but you enjoy the vehicle better during ownership..... a Lexus in traffic and comfort is superior to a Toyota Corolla so are you buying for resale value of for enjoyment.
in my case I have my gyro insured with my portfolio of movable assets and the insurance is 3% of value per year whereas the my cars are 1.2% of value per year, to offer an example.

If you look on the videos thread on this forum I recently posted an in cockpit video of a xenon to give an idea of the cabin view and how little they shake.

 

[ventana7]

Here are a few recent photos from my Xenon.
Cockpit view- note the foot windows Greg likes so much and the overall awesome visibility.
Instrument panel shot. Flying at 10,500' msl in the Colorado Rockies in a 100 foot per minute climb doing 76 knots airspeed and 97 knots ground speed.
Here is a link to video of flying hands free that I shot last week. I'm at 9,000' msl in the Colorado Rockies. It's been well over a year since I strung my blades and despite that you can see that the stick is moving only about 1" back and forth.

Rob

 

[Greg Vos]

Here are a few recent photos from my Xenon.
Cockpit view- note the foot windows Greg likes so much and the overall awesome visibility.
Instrument panel shot. Flying at 10,500' msl in the Colorado Rockies in a 100 foot per minute climb doing 76 knots airspeed and 97 knots ground speed.
Here is a link to video of flying hands free that I shot last week. I'm at 9,000' msl in the Colorado Rockies. It's been well over a year since I strung my blades and despite that you can see that the stick is moving only about 1" back and forth.

Rob

And now shake free is this xenon thanks for sharing

 

[Sv.grainne]

Rob:

You need to make the video at least as long as the full song!

Bobby

 

[DavePA11]

Ventana - Did you build your Xenon from a kit or purchased it used? Thanks

 

[ventana7]

I was the original importer for Xenon in US. Just when Xenon got started I realized there was a loophole in the LSA regulations that would allow importation of factory built aircraft until January 31, 2008. I sold and brought in 10 machines in 6 months under that situation as fully factory built. We just had to put the wheels and rotors on them. I think all 10 of those are still flying. Subsequently I think the importer(s) who replaced me have sold 4 or 5 more but not really done much.

Rob

 

[Tyger]

Interesting. What sort of airworthiness certificate do those ten have?

 

[Steve_UK]

Tyger - here from the back annuals of this forum when discussed previously,

"
The registration I looked up (N402ED)had her Classification shown as: Experimental.

The Category is shown as: reg prior to 1/31/08.

The manufacture is shown as CELIER AVIATION.


"Reg. prior to 1/31/08" is FAA-speak for ELSA certification by special decree or what might be called "eminent proclaim."

I think the FAA chose to use that wording other than "Light Sport Aircraft" in the sub-category for Experimental because it's an abnormal ELSA certification, one without the requirement for having an SLSA prerequisite.

Ira""

 

[ventana7]

Interesting. What sort of airworthiness certificate do those ten have?

They were all registered as E-LSA.
rob