Xenon Gyro

[braam hechter]

At long last after testing many different sets of pontoons / floats a working combination was found and tested.

These floats weight 60 kilos mounted, aluminum made, double skinned, triple under-teeth. They taxi fast and take off speed is very fast. This is totally incomparable with the previous attempt with Full Lotus models, that are NOT in fact suitable and even dangerous for gyro use, due to the lack of flotation in the back. . The current model was exclusively designed and made for the Xenon, it does not create any splash to the propeller nor the engine compartment. In flight they are absolutely stable in all axes and cross wind is not a problem. Landing / touch-and-go were done : as easy as on ground. A total delight.

Test was conducted with the Xenon 2R ECO, 100 hp, complete weight ready to go 310 kilos. Cruise speed at 110 km/h at 4800 RPM, rotor 8,6 m turning at 330 RPM.

I have read about the issues regarding waterborne operations and am in contact with the DWAF in the event that we need to operate from water.

For photos go to http://celieraviation.eu/news/XENON floats

...........

[THI]

Hi Braam, the link doesn't work.

[MAGNIficent]

Think this link might be of help

http://celieraviation.eu/blog/?p=358

[THI]

Hi Braan, I see there is a foto of a Xenon XL. Is that a 3 seater?

[braam hechter]

Hi All.

Sorry about the link. The previously mentioned link should work i.e. http://www.celieraviation.eu/blog. There is one three seater Xenon, the XL. The cabin was extended by 700 mm and additional windows fitted on either side. The seating arrangement is, pilot in the front centre, (on top of the control column) and then the two seats at the back. The passengers then have decent legroom. This aircraft is fitted with the 912 RST (122 HP) and a 9 meter rotor. (The intention with the size being, that one can transport a patient on a stretcher, or just sleep in the aircraft, if so required) She flies at sea level, but we have concerns for high altitude. Testing will be conducted with other combinations and i am fortunate that Johan Von Ludwig and his team are integral in this testing. Johan went with Johan Stemmet to fetch his aircraft and there was fruitfull interaction.

The intention is to have a basic platform (Xenon) that can be outfitted with role equipment as required. This includes surveillance cameras, crop spraying rigs, floats, etc. These will all be factory pre-approved in time and any standard Xenon can then be configured to conduct specific commercial taskings if registered under an Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Fly safely
Braam

[Boet]

Johan,

Jy nou moeg van koud kry?? Pragtige masjien! Miskien eendag, as ek groot is. Wanneer jy hier verby kom, drop in vir n koppie koffie enkom WYS!!

[gyrofan]

When I was at Wagtail yesterday I saw the first parts of the 33ft rotor which is going onto the Xenon....wow, that is going to be an exceptional machine, load carrying capability and turbulance stability. When chatting to the Comm pilots it is clear that the big high inertia rotors reduces their workload and fatique during the long flights in mid-day turbulance, they like the 28 ft for playing around ( which they are not allowed ) but the big MAN is the one to work with all day long...

Must say, with floats, Ag spraying tanks, Military machines and 3-seater the XENON guys seems to be one a fast track with rolling out development. I think this is good news for the whole gyro community.

Now we just need to sit patient and wait for the Wagtail machines to come off age so that we can have some "lower cost" gyros which I can convince sweetness to buy me as an birthday present.....man that Kriek is looking better by the day....

[witwillem]

Soos hulle se vra maar vir willem - dis nou wit willem , eendag as ek groot is wil ek ook een he - This machine has great potential , it looks as if Braam and co have got their act together and now will be able to unleash the true potential of this underestimated machine .
With an AMO, service centre , training facilities , spares and factory backup what more do you want -
Good luck in this venture and may the Xenon grow to its full potential -
Witwillem

[Gyronaut]

Hooray! Someone is getting it right! Congratulations guys.

I have been flying with a 33ft rotor on my 'heavy' sycamore for over 3 years now and it really performs very well. I am especially excited to see the Xenon XL 3-seat configuration. I carry an extra 80kgs in my machine anyway and know that if the Xenon is lighter to begin with it will perform the same (if not better) than mine does now 2 up. Ask my magni buddies, my machine performs adequately compared with theirs.

Good luck Braam & co... I WANT ONE!!

Len

[FLYNOTE]

Hey there all you gyronaughts and members of the fraternity ! One very happy chappy this side .
I have now completed 60 hrs on my Xenon and still smiling broader and broader from ear to ear with each passing flight hour in this lovely craft.
Now everyone that pops into my hangar to marvel at the luxury "lounge" inside my Xenon's cabin has the same question: " What is the similarity and how does the Xenon compare to the M22 Magni parked right next to it ? ( yes I am very fortunate to have the best of both worlds .. enclosed side by side and open tandem... but no little Magxons yet ...)
Standard answer : "They both have rotors but from the moment you initiate your spin up they are two completely different machines."
You line the Xenon up on runway centreline. Handbrake on. You go through your standard ' too many pilots fly in heaven " checks ... (test controls , trim for take off , temps / mags on , masters on / pressures , / fuel , fuel pump / instruments set / hatches and harnesses ... safety , no lose articles in cabin , all secured ... ) . RPM 3000, mags check ... drop 150 - 200 rpm . RPM to 2000 master off , check drop in charge. Master back on , check normal charge.
Stick centered , RPM 2500 ,engage bendix , increase prerotation lever to 50 RPM rotorspeed which is attained within 7 seconds. Disengage bendix , increase Rotor RPM to 250 which is attained within the blink of an eye ... release prerotator lever , stick back , release handbrake , advance throttle to initiate groundroll and then "gooi kole" to full throttle ! The Rotax RST roars and the thrust of 122 horses pushes you back against the soft leather seats. The nose rises almost immediately and as you gently nurse the stick forward you feel the Xenon breaking ground after a very short roll of only a few meters.
You pull the nose up to establish an airspeed of 70 mph and climb out at 750fpm. Now this ROC is attained with my pre-diet 110kg , my post-diet pax at 70kg and 60lts of 95 octane unleaded. RPM is at 5800 and all 122 horses still at a potent gallop.
You come back on the throttle to 5200 RPM, level out for cruise , trim for straight and level and watch the airspeed creep up to 90 mph. You then sit back, offer your pax a coke from the built in ice box between the seats and chat about the wonderful view from the ample , extremely comfortable cabin of the Xenon.
The MGL EFIS Odyssey with its high tech colour display featuring GPS moving map and all the temps and pressure in the green, as well as the light and extremely responsive controls add to the enjoyment and sheer exhilaration of piloting this wonderful machine.
The 914 Rotax in my M22 kicks out 100HP at 5400 RPM. 5800 RPM will bring in the turbo and 115 HP but only for 5 minutes before the red light comes on. The RST in the Xenon gives me 115 hP at 5400 RPM and can maintain this oemph pushing the airspeed up to 100mph ; and there we are, cruising to Parys for breakfast with the nippy ( or rather bloody cold )Winter air on the outside and we inside the quiet cosy cabin with the heater on just a fraction ... winding our way along the Vaalriver ... no turbulence which one has become used to in a gyro (aah , sorry, forgot already ... another similarity to the M22)...
So along comes Walter from Rustenburg on Tuesday. Saw the Xenon on tv and would like to check this meneer out for himself. A big boytjie is our Walter at 115kg . With him , just on 40lts of fuel and me sporting my proudly South African 110kg we take to the air. Our climb rate is 500 fpm ( ok... the 14 degrees air temp. and slight wind right down the runway did assist greatly on the take off but man oh man ... "daai RST turbo skop gat soos min" !
After more or less 30 minutes cruising on glass air , we touched down and Walter scrambled out to phone Braam Hechter to place his order for his Xenon. He has a very difficult time ahead of him. It's sheer hell to wait 6 weeks for your Xenon to be built. Fortunately the factory keeps the fever down by e-mailing photos of your Xenon on a regular basis so you can follow each step of progress in the process as they go along. You then have the excitement of going to Poland to witness the test flights of your Xenon , do your conversion at the historic WW2 Luftwaffe airfield at Warsaw and then it's only the short week ( which also feels like months) before your Gyro is delivered by airfreight on your doorstep.
I am very delighted with the Xenon . It has turned out to be everything I hoped it would and NO ... I am not an agent or receive any commission for punting the Xenon what so ever! I am only a very keen Gyro pilot who gets very excited if I see or fly or own a great Gyro. If I was unhappy or dissappointed , I can assure you that you will not hear the end of it !!!
Enjoy your flying ... dreaming ... also wanting ... hierdie masjiene is bakgat goete.

[Vertical Tango]

Thanks Johan for this report and pleased to see you like a kid again .
I have just done my conversion today on the red xenon and Johan Von Ludwig is a great instructor.
As you said, very different to the Magni (ZU-NVN !!) but a pure pleasure in comfort.
Few final cosmetic touches and mine will soon be in the air. Can't wait !

[Learjet]

Great reading - thanks Johan! Sounds like you are enjoying the best of both worlds.

[THI]

Thanks for the feedback Flynote. Sound like a dream!! I'll by visiting Gauteng in August, if possible I would like to visit one or two of the Xenon owners to get a first hand expierence on this lekke gyro!

[FLYNOTE]

Die Swartlanders kan maar kom ! Bring wyn saam.

Jip best of two worlds but the one world is getting neglected badly as of lately. I think the M22 must sadly go. Any offers?

Bonjour Mon Ami , glad you did the conversion. Yes JVL is a great instructor. You should have seen the two of us in the Warsaw circuit conversing with the Polish pilots in a mixture of English , German and every now and then Afrikaans " gevestig , linkerhandse indraaisy vir aanloopbaan 23 , eindnadering volgende ! " They didn't understand what the hell we were all about...but then again neither did we when they spoke Polish on the radio.
Somehow "finals" was understood by all and we just kept an eagle eye out in that direction and every now and then spotted a craft exiting the mist which for them is VFR ! If you dont hear another "finals" you simply slot in behind the landing craft.
Looking forward to your visit at Tedderfield in your Xenon soon.

Boet , ja nee ,dis nie ek nie dis die jare wat nou begin dikteer hoe en wat n man moet vlieg !

The posting on the Burkina Faso military guys ... I nearly had a stroke when these guys were flown around in my Xenon by the test pilot with a soldier sporting an AK47 in the pax seat, trying out the gyro for space , comfort and stability in order to swing a gun around and take aim!
As you can imagine, the test pilot pulled out all the stops to impress the guys and it paid off. These things are hotrods at sea level !

They were sold on the floor windows which gives you a great view of the ground below you as you fly. I think they were thinking that it will be a good idea to first spot the skelms / enemy below them before banking into a steep turn and then opening up with the AK... What these guys up North don't think of hey?

Who of you guys in the Gauteng area have almost been arrested for flying without flight plan due to the soccer conved. cup restrictions? Hoekom kyk die geel Xenon manne nou ander pad ?

Enjoy flying whatever you fly. Gordon Howell at Tedderfield maintains that once you fly a Gyro you realise that sex is totally overrated !

[whirly]

FLYNOTE,

OK, I am hooked!! I always said I would buy a gyro the day I see a decent enclosed two seater. I think I now have!

Now I need advice. Do I buy a normal open cockpit one first and learn to fly on it (don't say yes because you want to sell your M22!! )or can I go for the Xenon straight away? Is it like fixed wing flying where it's better to start on a Cherokee 160/180 then move to an Arrow and then on to a twin?

I have fixed wing and helicopter hours but zero gyro hours.

Whirly.