Microlighters

Nic's new baby is at its new home!

ZU-RFP arrived safely at Morningstar this afternoon. We left Rand at about 1pm yesterday, put in some fuel at Parys, then routed to Bloem (New Tempe). After refueling we left for Gariep where we arrived at about 6pm. Had to dodge a few thunder storms but a very pleasant flight.

Well rested and refreshed we left Gariep at about 8.30 for Beaufort West. Refueled there 2 hours 30 minutes later, enjoyed coffee and rusks and then took off for Worcester. Another 2 hours 30 - put in 35 liters and 40 minutes later we were home safe and sound.

Thankfully an uneventful flight. Have never seen the Karoo so wet and green! The M24 purred like a kitten having its stomach stroked all the way. Nothing, Nada, Zip out of the ordinary and although heavy all the way she performed beautifully averaging about 85mph @ 5 200rpm.

Congratulations to Nic on acquiring a really special machine. Leo went to immense trouble in setting it up with the best in radios, avionics, headsets etc, even all the pipe clamps have been replaced by the best quality clamps I have EVER seen. AWESOME job Leo. I am jealous to say it is the best M24 in the country.

Here are some pics I took with my phone along the way so please forgive the quality.

All the best Nic - you have a beauty.

Len - good seeing u again - u have the most hours in SA on M24 - made me very happy that u were on board!!

Gonna be in the awesome Cape some time and have a party with u guys!!

Lion

Congrats Nic!!

Will you he joining us for the Swellendam Fly-In?

Congrats Nic, wishing you many happy and safe flying hours in your beauty . Poor Len, what a tough job.

Well, do enjoy!

For those of us unfamiliar with a rotating wing, what Cruise Speed, Fuel Burn Rate and Useful Load does she have?

Hi LenM, Welcome to the wonderful world of Gyro's. Here is the Data from the Pilot Operating Handbook

Technical Data

Capacity: 2
Length: 4.33 m (14 ft 2 in) overall
Height: 2.80 m (9 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 285 kg (628 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 450 kg (992 lb) European ultralight limit (USA:550 kg) (SA:600)
Fuel capacity: 82 L (18.0 Imp gal; 21.7 US gal)
Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 914ULS flat four, 85 kW (115 hp)
Consumption: 16-20 ltr/hour
Main rotor diameter: 8.57 m (28 ft 2 in)
Main rotor area: 53.20 m2 (572.6 sq ft)
Propellers: 3-bladed Arplast, ground adjustable pitch, 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) diameter

Performance

Maximum speed: 194 km/h (121 mph; 105 kn)
Cruising speed: 145 km/h (90 mph; 78 kn)
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft) service
Rate of climb: 5.0 m/s (980 ft/min) at sea level

You gotta try to get a a ride in a Gyro LenM, you will experience the Gyrocalypse (as many of us have).
It will change your life, trust me.

Fly safe

Len

Len

Thank you, very informative.
I do however get very scared when I see my wings starting to move, so I'll admire you guys from the ground, for now!

(The Other) Len

LenM wrote:Len

Thank you, very informative.
I do however get very scared when I see my wings starting to move, so I'll admire you guys from the ground, for now!

(The Other) Len

The knack [to flying] lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss Surely a few moving wings can't scare you!
C'mon! We can see you want to

LenM (I like your name by the way)

I refuse to get into any machine if the wing does not move significantly faster than the cockpit. Simple logic. A wing stalls at X speed. Therefore then X is the minimum speed with which it WILL land/crash. Klaar. Emergency or not. In a fixed wing this translates to the speed that the cockpit will make contact with the ground. Gravity sucks and wins every time remember. If the wing is moving significantly faster than the cockpit then the wing is still flying even if the cockpit is stationary over the ground. Hence zero roll emergency landing - get out, walk away... Capiche?


Just go do it!

Man those side by siders are really doing it for me

Congrats...

Congrats Nic and well done Len on the ferry. Nice pics. I also need a long x country now. "Can you feel it ?? ... shes here...!!" Roll on Gariep.
Nic , Leo is bulldusting you. I know because I sat in that aerie just after she was rigged with her avionics. He did not take care of her. You will notice that the yellow is not what it was when she came out of the factory. That is because he washed and polished and scrubbed that M24 everyday for kicks. The shine affects the paintscheme, trust me. Quite a fastidious pain is our Leo when it comes to his gyros. You should see his M16 AND he flies the thing!
Bearing this in mind I have to disagree with Len. She is not the best M24 in the country at all. ZU RFP is the best M24 out of Italy and then we have not even touched on the avionics.Full stop. I would give anything to see old Vittorios face if he sees this gyro. I remember his expression when he saw the markings on my first Magni ZU NVN with my company branding.Just imagine being confronted with the beautiful state of the art avionics stack. Too late Leo. Shes gone. I know you had second thoughts at one stage maar nou ja ... Your loss is Nic's gain and Nic is in for the time of his life. Side by side and enclosed guys ... this is the way to go
Lennie , jou M24 is net so bakgat hoor So I think we will pull the two M24's next to each other at Gariep and let the other rotorheads gather around and cast their votes on whos what is bigger and better and nicer and faster Love it
Guys please keep old Paul going down there with your info re Gariep.

Hey Johan! Thanks for the kind words! I am waiting for my new M22 due in May.... Yellow again.

When we flew together to Stellies I noticed how much YOU look after your beautiful gyro - stunningly fitted out as well.

I must admit it was strange to see Len and Nic taxi away in my ex M24 - man......a lot of hard work and money went into RFP!

Here is panel design (Mark 3!)

C U at FATA tomorrow.

Lion

Very nice layout Lion. I would like to see a fuel-flow meter somewhere (or is there and I missed it?) and then its purrrfect!

Thanks Flynote, I am blissfully happy with mine and I look forward to Gariep. Maybe we should invite ol' Vittorio over?

Hey Gyronaut,

I don't see Nic on this forum - how is he enjoying RFP?

Cheers,

L.

Hi Leo

He loves his machine and flies at least once a week. Out flying today actually.
He dotes on it and cleans it meticulously - It is IMMACULATE!

This photo was taken at the Carnarvon fly in, M24 formation fly past with Nic in RFP.

I dont think he is on the forum.

How are you and what are you flying?