Thread: My trail bike of the skies

This machine was home built and is now about Twenty years old.
The performance is something like
Top speed 100 mph
Cruise speed 50 mph
Range is three hours at 50 mph.
Stock standard tune EA81 1800cc subaru motor/
This machine can run anything from 22ft to 30 ft rotors, but usually runs 26 ft rotors of extruded alloy.
6ft carbon fibre prop and a 2.2 to 1 propellor speed reduction unit.
Hydraulic rotor prerotating device is able to take rotors to 200rpm for a short take off run of 50ft in still wind and half fuel load.
Runs Gneral Aviation grade radio and Uhf to talk to farmer brown
I did 300 hrs in this machine , but I am not currently flying it and have it in storage for another day.
They are a real freedom machine and very difficult to learn how to fly well.
They are safe at low alitudes and air speeds ,ie mustering work.
They lack efficency and comfort for long flights.
Most landing rolls are about 12ft.
rotor blades are auto rotating and are not powered by the motor for flight.
Will turn in its own lenght and decend vertically.
Vertical take offs in 20mph head wind and prerotator use possible.

machine carries about 65 litre of 92 unleaded in a seat tank.
I used to regularly takeoff and land on the local beach and friends paddocks.
machine is despite its looks is the safest thing flying in a engine out situation and I many a time have proven this.
Pulling negative Gs and poor pilot training kills people.
Previously trained polits (especally GA fixed and rotary wing) tend to sooner or later revert back to there preivous training or treat these things as a toy and come unstuck......they fly differently.
Frame made from 2x2.5 inch square 6061-t6 alloy tube.
Machine carried on a single axle trailer.
Rotor blades easily removed for transport.
Extremely stable and fun to fly in wind and I have at times flown in winds up to 35 knots with no problems.
Twin ignition coils,fuel pumps,safety fuel impact cut outs and good fuel filtration system.

Fitting the rotors , about a Ten minute job

Slow speed high power setting flight showing off , just off the deck , most likely flying along at 25 mph.

These pics taken in storage

Propellor speed reduction set up and starter



Drive pump for prerotator

Who is that bloke with all the hair?

Garry

Originally Posted by garrycol

Who is that bloke with all the hair?

Garry

You missed the mustasch...

Great writeup, Ron ....

I've admired those things since another Australian brought them to my attention!



I enjoyed the inside look, 101! Thanks!