The Dragonfly Gyrocopter

MattPearson

Gold Supporter
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
440
Location
Shady Shores, TX
Hi Everyone. I would like introduce my newest creation, the Dragonfly.
I have been working on it for almost two years. I would like to thank Alan Cheatham and Larry Neal for their contributions to this project!
As you may know, I was owner of the now "deceased" Superfly Gyro. I spent some time playing with airplanes, and going fast, but my heart still pounds to the sound of rotor blades.
Here are some specs for the gyro. There are no plans available and no kits.
Rotor: 23 ft Dragon Wings, older riveted version.
Prop: 62" three blade IVOPROP
Powerplant: MZ202 with 2.55:1 gearbox
Empty Weight: 367 lbs
Max Gross: 650 lbs
Typical cruise: 55 -60 mph
Max speed: 76 MPH
Fuel Cap: 10+
Duration with full fuel: 2 hrs w/ reserve

Some other interesting specs:
Half fuel, my 200 lbs, and 80 degree ambient temp:

Rotor RPM: 305 in slow flight, 331 in cruise
Rate of Climb: 500 FPM at 40 MPH
0 airspeed descent: 1800 FPM

Cruise fuel flow 4.5 GPH
Full throttle fuel flow 8.5 GPH
Static engine RPM 5900
MAX throttle straight and level RPM 6150

The Prerotator is configured to give 235 RPM no wind. I have found that it makes for shorter takeoff with the little goped engine delivering MAX torque rather than have it poop out at rotation.
I have onboard air for the pneumatic trim system as well as rotor brake. I have an inflight mixture control, HID lights, LED Nav and postion lights and electric start.
The landing gear design is unique and very effective (thank you Alan Cheatham), and gives 12 inches of travel while minimizing the camber angle change.
The tail is custom made carbon fiber, and the rotorhead is a slider style ( thank you Larry Neal!). Steering is by differential braking which I love!
Instruments are MGL Velocity 3.125" Flight 2 and E-1 with fuel flow and rotor rpm. They are very easy to see and read in direct sunlight.


I will first post a link to a youtube video and then some pics. Enjoy:peace:
Rather than respond to individual questions, I will edit the description to reflect the information requested, if it's avaiable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRZh8Xw4MLo
 
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That looks great! I saw your videos on youtube a few weeks back.

367 empty? Humm looks lighter.
 
VERY sharp!!

congratulations!
 
Great job Matt. Great to see you up in the air again!
I like the kawasaki green.
Looks like a cross between a buterfly and some other stuff. :)
Congrats! Nice job.


Stay out of the mud this time! :D
 
Really nice Matt, one slick machine.
What RRPM are you getting with the prerotator?
 
I like it!!!
Matt:
How much travel you got in those shocks?
Are you going to sell a kit, or what?
If so how much and when?
 
Sharp machine, and the pictures are fantastic!

Video was pretty good too, but I would have like to have seen more shots of the landing gear in action. More info on the gear setup too.

hint, hint...
 
Mike, I have a ton of media that I am sorting thru and we are also filming constantly. The quality of the video I have is about the bottom of what I would call "quality." I will give you tons as soon as I have something coherant! :plane:
 
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