RAF INFO CONT....

[saraf]

Rotary Air Force. (RAF) explored ways to enhance high-speed controllability for
novice pilots and cross-country flights over the previous eight years. Early in the project RAF
sought criteria from pilots and Certified Flight Instructors (CFI’s) on pilot workload and over control
human factors. RAF concluded an ideal device would:

Maintain the unique maneuvering characteristics of the gyroplane
Increase pilot feedback from control movements
Provide direct assistance in the control of the rotor disc

RAF then focused on concepts that
met these three design goals. Direct
rotor control requires an interface
with control rods or torque tube.
Dynamic trim from a pilot
controlled airfoil provided a
simplistic alternative to a computer
and sensors. Duane Hunn, Sr., a
CFI with 8500 gyroplane hours
including 4500 on the RAF 2000,
became interested in the project. He
built and flew the first rotor
stabilator in spring 2002. Further
collaboration with RAF led to a
groundbreaking improvement after
an exhaustive design and flight test
program.
Professionally delivered ground and
flight training instruction is of
paramount importance. No aircraft
or aircraft feature substitutes for
basic pilot knowledge. A gyroplane
equipped with the RAF 2000 Rotor Stabilator still requires complete and current pilot training.
Likewise, the RAF 2000 Rotor Stabilator does not prevent risks related to poor pilot decisionmaking
or dangerous attitudes.

[saraf]

The gyroplane industry has traditionally suffered from misinformation and poor attitudes. Many
falsely believe a person can learn to fly a gyroplane with only a few hours of instruction. In
reality, the gyroplane as with airplanes and helicopters requires a proficient and knowledgeable
pilot trained on type class for safe operation. Most gyroplane incidents involve unauthorized
individuals or fixed-wing pilots with insufficient conversion training. Other incidents commonly
involve pilots whose attitude takes them beyond the aircraft limits. Think about flying at 60 mph
(88 ft/sec). Now think about flying 50 feet above ground as many gyroplane pilots do. At this
speed and height, you are less than 1 second from solid earth. A normal human response time
falls between 1-3 seconds. Considering the delay in control inputs to aircraft motion, your
chances of passing unscathed from any unseen obstacle or disturbance are marginal.




The RAF2000 Rotor Stabilator reduces the piloting workload thus enhancing the flying
experience. An RAF 2000 Gyroplane equipped with the RAF 2000 Rotor Stabilator exhibits
trim control previously limited to fixed-wing aircraft. On calm, stable days the trim control
alone holds the aircraft in fixed attitudes. On gusty, turbulent days the dynamic trim far
outperforms static spring or bungee trims.

The RAF 2000 Rotor Stabilator trims
rotor motion in steady level, climb, and
descent flight. Air passing over the
stabilator counteracts minor rotor pitch
movements and keeps the aircraft flying
straight and smooth. Maintaining a fixed
flight attitude by applied airflow against
a control surface is called dynamic trim.
The dynamic trim provided by the RAF
2000 Rotor Stabilator adjusts through all
flight speeds and increases in
effectiveness as the airspeed increases.

The RAF 2000 Rotor Stabilator is the only dynamic trim device available for gyroplanes that
dampens rotor motion. Rotor orientation primarily determines gyroplane motion. Common
sense dictates that dampening rotor motion will most effectively dampen gyroplane motion.
Further advantages include improved trim performance at high airspeeds, increased feedback to
the pilot in the control stick, and easier co-ordination during turns as compared to all other
available trim devices.

The RAF 2000
Rotor Stabilator
operates with a
double throw
switch or with
the optional four
directional
switches
mounted on the
control stick.
These switches
increase or
decrease the
electrically
driven ram
length. As the
ram changes in length, the Rotor Stabilator angle changes with respect to the relative airflow.


The optional programmable pitch trim includes a column of LED lights on the instrument panel.
The LED lights reference the stabilator airfoil position. A memory switch next to these lights
allows the pilot to preset one stabilator airfoil position that can be recalled from memory. The
pilot can set this personal favorite for take-off, cruise, landing, or any other flight mode.
Movement cancels with a single touch on the trim switch should the pilot accidentally select the
personal favorite or need to make an unexpected maneuver.
The backward compatibility of the RAF 2000
Rotor Stabilator design means installation with
ease to all pre-existing RAF 2000 Gyroplanes.
The mechanical portion attaches to the airframe
with the pre-existing fastener removal and
replacement. Routing and attaching the wire
harness requires seat tank removal. The optional
position light display attaches to the bottom of the
instrument panel (or other convenient location).
The optional push-to-talk switch and trim control
switches install into all previous RAF 2000
Gyroplane stick control configurations.
RAF 2000 Rotor Stabilator
Benefits

Reduces pilot workload
Increases control stick feedback
Improves trim as airspeed increases
Dampens rotor motion
Enhances the flying experience

Regards

Eben Mocke Jnr
RAFSA