Some questions

[Papillon]

Hi all

I went for a flip in gyrocopter about 4 years ago. Since then I’ve had a persistent niggle to explore this form of flight more seriously but have been always managed to come up with reasons not to. A big one was the cost, another was not really having a huge urgency because I’ve owned various trikes over the years and get to fly on occasion (when work allows) and until now I’ve had other more serious matters to ply cash into such as buying houses etc. One thing still bothers me though and maybe a technical guru could explain to this simpleton how the rotor blades can carry such a heavy undercarriage without overstressing or breaking at the attachment points? That little mind bender is just too much for my brain.
Attachment point aside, the appealing thing for me is the gyro’s wider flying envelope compared with trikes and also their amazing flying capabilities. I really like knowing that I don’t have to wake up early to be assured of some good flying as long as clouds don’t put a spanner in the works.
After having read almost every thread under gyro talk I have developed a somewhat unhealthy interest all of a sudden, particularly when reading the informative posts by Jetranger, FOGyro etc and FLYNOTE’s very appealing pics of his travels all over the show.
Being pretty clueless, can somebody give me some info on what the training costs are; would it be easier to convert coming from trikes than someone with no flying experience at all? Rough ballpark on hrs of training required? Why are Sycamores seemingly more affordable (I might be wrong here) than most other types – are they any inferior to the others? Also ballpark annual maintenance costs, in other words, am I in for a shocker when compared to trikes?

Appreciate the help…….

[Learjet]

Hi Papillon,

how the rotor blades can carry such a heavy undercarriage without overstressing or breaking at the attachment points?

As it is impossible for autoratating rotor-blades to ever reach loading factors of more than 2.5g - 3g. the answer to your question is... engineering! Most modern gyro rotor-heads are designed to to operate with load factors of some 3.5g - with further built-in safety margins of up to 5g plus!

Similarly, rotor-blades are designed to withstand huge stresses and forces. For example, Magni's composite rotors (and I'm sure other makes will be similar) are designed to support a centrifugal force of 25,000kg. Taking into account that the maximum force generated by a 3g maneuver is 6,000kg* you can see that nearly 20 tons of safety margin exists - and the approx 300kg that the whole gyro weighs is negligable in the grand scheme of things.

I get more worried getting into a office lift.

* as per Magni POH

[t-bird]

Hi Papillon

I will try and answer some of your question.

Maintenance cost for my ELA 08 with 300 hours
Yearly MPI and service between R 350 – R 1500
Oil change rotax 914 – I do it every 50 hours the manual says 100
Oil +- R 340
Oil filter +- R 120
Fuel filter +- R 65 - I do mine before a big trips +- every 80 – 100 hours
Sundries
pre rotator belt R 310
rear windscreen R 530
Gideon Niemand to check out the engine ,balance carbs,change sparkplugs, inspect magnetic plugs +- R 1500

My biggest expenses thus far was to upgrade my Hub bar on the rotor +- R 5 500 including fitment and alignment.

If nothing breaks then that is it up to I think 1 500 hours

The attachment point “teeter bolt “ at the top is tested to 30 tons and more. Don’t think it will break if your MAUW is 550 kg.

A gyro is more expensive than a trike but you can buy a gyro in a partnership and fly 10 times more than if you were a 100 % owner of a trike.

[Papillon]

Thanks for that info guys

Anybody, maybe Jetranger or MPL Pilot?), got any input on some of the questions I posed with regard to training hrs required (coming from trikes) and costs etc. Also whether or not any gyro instructors in Eastern Cape?

Many thanks..........

[MAGNIficent]

There is a GYRONAUGHT in P.E., if you are interested I can give you some details.

[Papillon]

Hi MAGNIficent

Yes please - that would be great.

You wouldn't perhaps be able to provide ballpark training hrs and costs would you?

Rgds

[peterb]

Hi, You are looking at a minimum of 30hrs of training 15 dual and 15 solo, prices vary.
Instructor starting from R400.00 hr
Gyro starting from R500.00 hr dry (without fuel)
Go and look at Wagtail they have it all set out on their website it should give you an indication of the costs you can expect. www.wagtail.co.za
Good Luck.

[Gyronaut]

Also see www.aerosport.co.za for information about our school in Cape Town
[not advertising, just passing on info ... so sue me]


sorry

[Papillon]

Thanks Jetranger

Have sent you PM

[Trikenut]

Also see http://www.aerosport.co.za for information about our school in Cape Town
[not advertising, just passing on info ... so sue me]


sorry

Riiight... But well done! Go Aerosport!! (I'm not going to say if, by writing this, I was or wasn't advertising... find out for yourself!)