Gyro pilot help wanted for test flying..

[ZULU1]

Chaps, for a while now I have been intending to develop a headset / helmet combo for Gyros based on our chatterbox system. Our wind noise developments are sorted, used by heli crews, trikes etc. JJ in the Cape and others are using our Condor helmet but have asked if we can develop a twin jack headset to match. I hate those plugs but they exist. I would also make for the 6 pin Binders used in Magnis as well.

If any Gyro Captain is looking for a week or more jolly in Ballito, I have a home for the machine, pilot and enough home brew to sink a ship...In return for the test flying I offer a complete finished set x 2. And a heap of fun in the process..

Would need a transponder though.

Thanks Zulu1

[jtresfon]

I am using a pair of your Condor helmets into which I have semi-permanently installed a set of twin-jack MGL headsets. The wind noise reduction especially for the rear seat passenger is significant! Learjet came for a flight in the back with me last week and used his own DC headset with a half-face visor. All of a sudden the wind noise on the rear mike was deafening and I was once again reminded how effective your full face visors are. Would love to help you but can't... However please keep all us gyro folks updated with the developments!

Rgds
Jean.

[ZULU1]

Jean, the air dam does perform very well, the solution to wind noise is mechanical and not electronic, although this does help. The microphone mounting is critical to the noise transfer from wind and other mechanical noise that can get in to the system. I have yet to see a headset that is made for high wind that works properly especially with VOX and ANR. The other factor is the audio power supply is from the Rattex and through a heap of other noise generating devices such as fuel pumps, GPS switch mode power supplies etc. For info i attach a picture of our microphone mounting and you can see that it is isolated from the boom. If you review the back it has a slot and a large chamber, this is to increase the noise on the reverse of the microphone and help the noise canceling section of the element perform. The slot is to remove the "coke bottle effect" of wind across the back of the boom when turning the head. It really works well in trikes and helicopters ground crews.

[Gyronaut]

Man I would love to volunteer for this! If only we were closer.

I am sick and tired of bad comms in open machines. (I spend many hours in the back of them). I have only ever found one machine that had really good comms. The guru's know that its about matching up the mic's / headsets / Noise reduction / intercom / radio / wiring etc. perfectly. Not a simple task.

If anyone can, the Lintots can!
Looking forward to following the development closely.

[ZULU1]

OK, boards are complete, will be building a pair (2 headsets) this weekend, best we can do locally is test them with a trike in a dive...who wants to try these with twin jack plugs on preferably a Filser and I can send them off...criticize and I can review them.

Thanks Paul

[gyrofan]

If you want to test on a number of platforms ( ELA, Magni, Sycamore, and closed cockpit Xenon and Kriek ) why don't you send it off to Johan at Wagtail. I know he is used to testing and developing stuff and always looking for headsets to outlast the Commercial pilots flying for them. Between the different operations they are currently logging more than 15 hours each day ( on average ). If you are interested, I can get the two of you in contact.

[BONZAI BELL]

Hi Paul
I would definately like to try your headsets. We are quite active in Springs , and our passengers are all complaining about wind noise. i just think that the wind in the back seat of the gyro is also affecting the pilot headset. i have noticed , if my wife unplugs her headset , mine is much clearer.
We are a couple of guys that fly on average twice a week.
Cheers for now
Swannie

[Gyronaut]

Hi Paul

We have open cockpit Gyro's with Filser, ATR500, MGL V6 and V10's here that we would be more than keen to test your headsets on. We also have closed cockpit Magni M24's, Xenon and Sycamore's at Morningstar and would be happy to test and report on each for you. Several of the chaps already use your helmets and are very happy with them. It would simply mean getting the headsets to Cape Town together with the testing protocol you would like to use and Voila; consider it done!

Kind regards

Len

[ZULU1]

Similar in finish..

Condor and sets.jpg (8.41 KiB) Viewed 2967 times

Thanks Len, as you have all those radios available, seems like the best option, i would imagine the noise will be the same in all machines. Closed cockpits are not really an interest at this stage. But the rear of a Gyro is the problem area. I have made some in military green (as we are making a military project at present) with new amplifiers at 1/2 phase similar to a chatterbox series. Just confirm they are twin jack. I will test fly with a stand alone sigtronics intercom in a trike first though this week. Then will get them off to you to play with. When complete we can send to Springs and wherever for evaluation. These units are designed for the Condor helmet so makes sense.

see the military version...

Thanks Paul

[Gyronaut]

Affirm. They are all twin plug setups.

[cliffdupreez]

Hi. I hope you Guys can help me or point me in the right direction. I want to fly down to Ballito for December holidays with a Gyro from Petit airfield near Benoni. Do you know where the closest airfield is to Ballito and who I can can speak too to find a space to hanger. Thanks Cliff 0766633205