RE: LakeLand Autogyros
HI, I forgot to mention the aerial pictures were taken with a TX450 heli with an HP digital camera. Too much weight for the little heli but if I can get the pictures in less than 5 minutes it saves from cooking the motor. Phil
Posted on: 3/16/2008 8:34 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7235693

LakeLand Autogyros
Hi, Just want to thank Jim for another great week-end and it was good to see some of the old time autogyro pilots. My gyros didn't get into Jim pictures so I have included them here. The BEGI had a couple of mis-haps but still had several good flights. The Miss2 is a conversion from it's Hobby Lobby design with Mickey's designed flybar head. If anybody wants a cheap and excellent beginner, this is as good as it gets. I was using an AXI motor and 2100ma LIPO battery. Very stable. Thanks for a great week-end. Phil
Posted on: 3/16/2008 8:21 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7235632

RE: March Autigyro's Lakeland, FL
Hi, I didn't make the photo hour for the autogyros so here are the two that I had fun with. As you can see one had a little problem but I still got in a few flights. The Miss2 is a converted airplane to a gyro and one of the most stable fliers that I have had. If you can fly a trainer you can fly this. It has one of Mickey's flybar heads with the pre-rotator which makes it a very nice beginner gyro. I'm using an AXI motor with a 2100 ma LiPo battery. Thanks Jim for a great week-end. Phil
Posted on: 3/16/2008 8:06 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7235551

RE: March Autigyro's Lakeland, FL
Hi Jim, Sounds good to me. Phil
Posted on: 12/10/2007 7:47 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6740347

RE: 5 n 1 on my DAG-1 Autogyro
Hi Dave, Nice to see an onboard video. Does this gyro only turn left? I have a friend that did fly gyros and he could only turn left. He tried to make a right turn and crashed and I don't think he has flown since. Phil
Posted on: 7/31/2007 7:29 AM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6178035

RE: twin electric motor auto, need suggestions/tips
Hi Mike, It's pretty hard to calculate the rotor diameter for something that small but I would start with about 15" to 18" diameter. I would also use the SG6042 rotor blade profile instead of the clark-y. You can sand the clark-y blades a little thinner and sand a small channel on the under side of the blades near the trailing edge. That's the difference between the clark-y and the SG6042. Phil
Posted on: 7/12/2007 4:38 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6103268

RE: twin electric motor auto, need suggestions/tips
Hi, I would recommend a 3 blade single rotor and if balanced correctly it should fly. Because your control will come from the motor thrust, the rotor could be fixed without pitch or roll control. Using a gyro stick, I built a single rotor gyro using two electric motors that were mounted on each side and using servos I could change the pitch of each motor. This would cause a similar control as you are attempting. Set your hang angle by suspending the gyro by the rotor shaft at minus 10 degrees. The rotor shaft should also be about 10 degrees positive. Good luck, Phil
Posted on: 7/12/2007 7:58 AM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6101575

Springhill Florida Autogyro Event
Hi, I don't know how many of you have received this e-mail so I'm posting it on the forum. It's from Don Ogren the CD for the Springhill autogryo event. Phil Hi autogyro modelers, At the May HCRCC club meeting, the 2007 autogyro and VRCS events were reviewed and discussed. the two events had 13 and 41 registered flyers, respectively. The Complaint from a few the autogyro fliers over the years has been that the event was always held on Friday and Saturday, before the VRCS Reunion, was discussed. The fact that the two back-to-back events have taken up four flying days from our club members was also discussed. Also discussed/mentioned was the club having knowledge of an Autogyro Fun Fly being organized in the Lakeland, FL area by Jim Mahoney for next spring. (dates not known) The motion was made for the HCRCC NOT to host another "Autogyros Over Spring Hill" in the year 2008. The motion was seconded, and voted on. The motion carried. (You can go to our club web site to read the minutes of that meeting. www.HCRCC.com/ ) That is not good news for some of you, I'm sure, as some of you have attended all six of the fun flies and probably were looking forward to the next autogyro event in 2008. We hope that most of you will continue to find time to schedule our annual VRCS Reunion, which remains on the calender for 2008. Regards, Don Ogren
Posted on: 5/22/2007 9:27 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5889141

RE: Now flying successfully with a teetering head
Hi Emilo, I like the simplicity of the teetering head and it's one less rotor blade. My Wallis gyro has a swashplate and also a teetering head. It's the most stable gyro that I have ever flown. Do you think less torque is required by the servos with a teetering head vs. the flapping blades? What's the weather like in Spain now? Phil
Posted on: 5/16/2007 5:48 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5863464

RE: Now flying successfully with a teetering head
Very good Emilio[:)] If you remember Hal debolt, he built a large tractor type gyro and used a teetering head. It also had a single central hinge. His plan was to just lift off the ground and bring it back down for the first flight. Unfortunately it lifted off much sooner than expected and it was flying very good but he chopped the throttle anyway and it crashed into a fence, never to be tested again.[:o] You have a pusher but do you think the teetering head would work as well with a tractor type?
Posted on: 5/16/2007 11:34 AM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5862190

RE: MA Dist VI this month
Hi Jim, No, I didn't notice the article until you mentioned it, however I think you just wanted all of us to see your picture on the reza-it site. What happened to the day two pictures? They don't show on my computer. Phil
Posted on: 5/4/2007 5:16 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5811610

RE: Electric pusher, teetering rotor
Hi Emilio, Nice flying pusher. Does it have only tilt on the head or does it have pitch control also. Phil
Posted on: 4/28/2007 11:36 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5785111

RE: New AutoGyro
Hi, Mickey, thanks for the motor info. Charlie, the length is about 36" and the weight is about 34 ozs. The blades are 13" long and the total diameter is 28 1/2" and the blade width is 2". These are foam filled fibergalss blades but basicly the same as the Aerobalsa blades. What are the specs. on the Whizard? and do you have a picture? Phil
Posted on: 4/22/2007 8:03 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5754425

New AutoGyro
Hi, Just had the first flight on this conversion. It was originally the Hobby-Lobby Miss2 and about the same size as the PT25 but build much lighter. I'm using the Himax HC2812-0850 for power but it's under-powered. It was slow getting off the ground but once in flight it did climb pretty good but still required full power. I have an AXI 2808/24 but I know that really is too much motor. If anybody has any suggestions for a motor with just a little more omph!! than the HiMax please let me know.
Posted on: 4/22/2007 6:51 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5754095

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi Mark, I think you guys have worked hard and developed some great gyros and certainly helped the autogyro community. I like the swashplate control and the pre-rotor but it's certainly not necessary for all autogyros and I don't plan on putting it on all of mine. I just enjoy all of the different designs and concepts. The swashplate control is just another concept and it works very well, but is it necessary, not really anymore than the pre-rotator. I view this forum as a place to share our common interest and ideas and promote the autogyro community which we all enjoy. Not everybody has the same likes and dislikes and that's what makes this hobby interesting. Can you imagine if we all had a PTGyro, blue and yellow, and that was it. Check out this video: http://www.auav.net/sh/ptgyro.html And Joel, you really surprised me. Must be a bad day, we all have them. Anyhow you have no idea how envious I have been of you guys in the Fall at you gyro meet. If it were possible I would be there. I always bug Jim to take lots of pictures so that I can see them. Each year I try and figure out how I can get there. Sorry if I said anything to offend you. I've seen your video, you fly much better than me, and I hope we can get together some day. Phil
Posted on: 4/17/2007 8:27 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5731644

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi, Did a little flying today but not much. I was the only one at the field as the wind is really blowing. But I did try the PTGyro which has the Swashplate control and I removed the horz stab between flights. Considering the conditions, I couldn't really tell the difference before and after. Joel, I have a challenge for you, remove the horz stab on your gyro and lets see how it flies. Actually it may be OK, not sure. However, I can say that orientation is more difficult without it. Phil
Posted on: 4/17/2007 2:28 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5729847

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi Joel, I have two of the PTGyros and one PT25 and I think they are great. However, I also converted a Sig Senior Kadet and a 1/3 scale Cub to a single rotor gyros with the flapping blades and both were much more stable than any of the PT Gyros probably because they are bigger. I also have the RotorShape gyro and if you just want to flip around the sky it will do it better than any of the PT's, probably because it's smaller and better power to weight ratio. So it all depends on what kind of flying you enjoy and for a beginner, getting the gyro in the air long enough to experience the controls is probably the most challenging and the pre-rotor certainly improves the odds. Phil
Posted on: 4/17/2007 12:11 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5729298

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi, Maybe that link doesn't work, if not here are some pictures of the Whopper Robbe Schluter Gyro. Phil
Posted on: 4/17/2007 8:42 AM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5728581

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi, While Mickey was developing his gyros, I build a Wallis gyro which has the swashplate and pre-rotator and this was developed by Col. Ken Wallis back in the 70's. This is about a 10 lb. model and certainly needed the pre-rotator. Also, did anybody see the Whopper Robbe Schluter that just sold on E-Bay for $430 with shipping? I wonder if it was anybody in this group that bought it. Anyhow, it's a large tractor type, with swashplate and pre-rotator. I would guess about the same size as the Wallis. This is the link to the E-Bay page if you are interested in seeing the pictures. http://cgi.ebay.com/WHOPPER-ROBBE-SCHLUTER-GYROCOPTER-AUTOGYRO_W0QQitemZ250102862485QQihZ015QQcategoryZ19164QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Phil
Posted on: 4/17/2007 8:38 AM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5728572

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi, Another plus for the pre-rotor, it allows you to really balance and check the blade tracking right on the bench. The Brushless Feigao will allow you to really spin those blades but you have to be a little careful with the GWS. Phil
Posted on: 4/16/2007 9:38 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5726829

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi Charlie, GW/LPS pre-rotor gear box and brushed motor $13 GW/EPSC main gear box, bearings and shaft, approx $10 Pixie 7 am speed controller $29.00 Boca one-way bearing approx $9.00 If you want to use the Feigao brushless motor instead of the GWS $33 10 amp brushless speed controller $20 If you use the aluminum 10 mm (.4") square tubing for your pylon the GW/EPSC will mount right on top and this will reduce the weight and actually lighter than the plywood pylon. Another suggestion, buy the GWS Slowstick for about $32 and you will have the square tubing and the nice little plastic servo brackets to mount on the square tubing which control the rotor head. Really gets the weight down and the Slowstick includes the gearbox and bearings. Phil
Posted on: 4/16/2007 9:17 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5726680

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi, Forgot to include the close-up picture all assembled with the Feigao motor. Phil
Posted on: 4/16/2007 7:53 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5726209

RE: Prerotator devices
Hi, If you want to install a pre-rotator on the PTGyro, it's not difficult, thanks to Mickey's engineering. First, the PTGyro uses about a 2.4 mm rotor shaft and the PT 25 uses a 3.3 mm or .125". The GW/EPSC gear box will will accomadate the different size shafts. The standard is 3 mm. Then you mount the GW/LPS gearbox for the pre-rotator. You don't have to use the GWS brushed motor. By accident I discovered that the Feigao 128425 brushless motor fits the GWS gearbox perfectly and use a little 10 amp speed controller. The GW/EPSC will mount on a .4" square tube, so now you have the holder with bearing and your pre-rotator. Now just remove the original bearings from the rotor head, install a bushing or whatever and pin the shaft to the rotor hub. I have attached a picture, and also you will need the one-way bearing, available from Boca, any size that you need. Phil
Posted on: 4/16/2007 7:36 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5726115

RE: PTGyro Video
Hi Joel, I agree, you can do some things to the PT to make it more responsive, however I've always flown it with 2" wide SG6042 blades, however it's flying now with only two blades 2" shorter than the original. After seeing Mickey fly his gyros I had to put a swashplate control on to see for my self. Yes you can roll and loop but the response is still not the same, however that may not be important to some. Also, I think I really enjoy the pre-rotator the most as I can taxi out and unless the cross wind is really bad I'm not even concerned. Phil
Posted on: 4/16/2007 2:50 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5724703

RE: PTGyro Video
Hi, Yes, it was very gusty today and I was a little nervous. I was going down wind and I made the turn back into the wind and it just spun around. The PTGyro is the original first gyro that came out and it's a lot smaller than the PT25. Now that I have Begi and the PTGyro flying with the same head I can make some comparison. The PTGyro is considerably more stable. Mickey suggested that I remove the horizontal stab and I probably will try reducing the size first and see what happens. Overall, I'm very happy with the way it handles and the pre-rotator solves a lot of problems. I would encourage anyone else to try the conversion as I think you will be very pleased. I know by some, it may not be considered a pure autogyro, however I just enjoy the flying and attention that it gets. Jim, I thought you had a couple of Mickey's gyro. How do you think they compare with the 3 flapping blades. Phil
Posted on: 4/14/2007 10:36 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5716772

PTGyro Video
Hi, Just got the video of the PTGyro flying with the swashplate control. It was a little too windy so it was a short flight but the gyro was handling it better than I was. http://www.auav.net/sh/ptgyro.html Phil
Posted on: 4/14/2007 7:58 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5716042

RE: how does a autogyro fly?????????
Hi Rob, The best information on autogyros can be found at this site: http://www.autogyro.com This should answer most of your questions and then if you have specific questions I'm sure someone on the forum can help you. Phil
Posted on: 4/12/2007 6:45 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5706379

RE: PTGyro Conversion
Hi, Tried something interesting today with the PTGyro. I wanted to determine what the minimum mast angle and motor down thrust would be and still sustain flight using the swashplate control. I ended up with 4 degrees on the mast and about 4 degrees on the motor. Now that was one fast gyro but nothing that I would recommend, but interesting[8D]. For the PTGyro about 8 degrees on the mast and 5 degrees motor down thrust seems about right. Phil
Posted on: 4/11/2007 6:44 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5701004

RE: PTGyro Conversion
Hi, I didn't realize that the response was so slow in our flapping blade design until I flew the swashplate control. Once you get into the delta head with all the parts, I'm not sure there is that much difference in total parts count and or much difference in cost. For sure much less weight, due to the feather servos and mounting brackets. I'll probably regret saying this, but I haven't had a crash since using the pre-rotator. It really improved the odds of getting the gyro in the air. Most of my crashes were on take off due to a cross wind or slow rotor speed. Also, I seem to have lots of tip overs on landing, for one reason or another. Ground handling is much improved in windy conditions with the swashplate and I've flown in very windy conditions and I taxi on and off the runway and haven't had a tip over yet.[&o] I really hated to say that!! Yes, and I do have a wider running gear. Mickey, what is the motor down thrust and rotor mast tilt back in the G3PO? Phil Phil
Posted on: 4/10/2007 12:30 PM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5693915

RE: PTGyro Conversion
Hi Mickey, I guess only one way to find out. One thing for sure, it would be that much less weight. Maybe I'll start with half a stab!![8|]
Posted on: 4/10/2007 10:03 AM by Author "floridagyro" in the forum "AutoGyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5693314