Safest Helicopter In The World

[bugdevheli]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/1936881546_2d3ad7ec6c.jpg

[heliski22]

Yup!!! That's it right there!!!

[SilsoeSid]

Doesn't look too safe to me! Even normal bucking bronco machines have a high injury record.

Besides, Kylie wouldn't look as sexy in that, as she does on this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgX8gOV4x6w

Or even on this tomorrow night!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/11/07/ukylie.jpg
The Kylie Show will be broadcast at 9.35pm on Saturday night on ITV1
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/07/nkylie107.xml

[Graviman]

Is that nearing readiness for market, Bug?

[bugdevheli]

Yes Graviman.This ones been on test for a year. No breakdowns 800 students taught how to hover.£2 per hour to run. Bug.

[Graviman]

Bug, that's great!

I couldn't figure the gymbol arrangement. Surely it does more than just pivot? Hardest part is getting cordination right for lift off and touch down.

Just a thought, but if there was some mobility you could simulate turns and low speed manouvres. I like the idea of an arrangement of giant castors... :}

[Ian Corrigible]

Is this the same FTD that was 'test-flown' on Tomorrow's World a couple of years back?

I/C

[bugdevheli]

Graviman, IC. This particular machine was built purely for the corporate market. I have been developing a hover simulator for some years, trying to get that feel on the controls that is realistic. The aim is to get a machine that is cheap to run and manufacture, as i am convinced that there is a market for it. The one in the picture does everything except sideways movement. I have now some ideas as to how to get this last requirement, but it just needs a bit more refinement. Bug

[Graviman]

Bug,

I'm trying to work out your control system. Apologies if this is trade secret (patented right?). Looks to me like an electric motor driving a cut down R22 rotorhead, with hydraulics to overcome weight. So the cylinder can also pivot about the ground?

Full hydraulics makes more sense to me. I gather industry standard for helicopter dynamics is GenHel, but don't know much about it. It's an area i am interested in.

[Dan Reno]

Put a hangar around it and it'll be safer but my money is on the S-92 these days.

[bugdevheli]

Graviman. No secret mechanism. The machine is powered by a four stroke engine which drives the hydraulic pumps. The electric motor is for indoor venues. The Helicopter can rotate through 360 digrees as it is turned by a slow revving four bladed tail rotor driven by a hydraulic motor. The whole machine sits on a gimble and therefore can tilt or roll in any direction. The main lift ram raises some three feet. The next development is to mount a similar arrangement on top of a floating plate assembly, this will then make it as unstable as the real thing. As it stands at the moment, it is perfect for its purpose, that is, to give people an idea of the basic inputs required to control a helicopter. I think i can manufacture the all singing and dancing version for around £8000. Bug

[Helipolarbear]

Build it for £8K??? You should do it. Why you could sell time to Joe and Jane Public and recoup your money within a short time especially at the local fair or community green!!!!!:ok::ok::ok:

[bugdevheli]

Helipolar. AS ive just had a few glasses of wine, i am not sure whether that is a compliment or not? Bug.

[Helipolarbear]

Compliment......of course!:) Safe flying and building.

[bugdevheli]

Helipolarbear. then i thank you very much sir.. After three glasses of red wine my judgement is impaired. It just proves one should not drink/drive/fly after consuming alchohol ( or try to spell al co hol) Bug. (still not sure about that spelling) Bug

[Non-PC Plod]

Anyone developing a simulator that looks like SilsoeSid's? I'd invest in that one, and build in a requirement to manitain currency on it!

[kevin_mayes]

Bug.
What you want to do is use electricaly controled hydraulic valves (we use them on gritters), that way you can add some random inputs from a PC/embeded controller to simulate the real feel/wind drit etc, leaving the user to compensate for the inputs to keep flying level?
Cheers
Kevin.

[Graviman]

Bug, this is a great idea - i wish you every success.

Have you considered a simple counterbalance system, to keep hydraulics simple for a good movement range? As collective is lifted up to "light on the skids" the counterweight is released in a controlled manner. You could make mechanism a seesaw, with vertical linkages designed to keep counterweight and heli CG same distance from spherical bush pivot. This gives a very natural movement.

Kev, i like that idea but would have thought operating outdoors would be realistic enough. I guess the next step is full virtual sim, with full motion control. The National Fluid and Power Centre, at Worksop (Notts) have a great deal of experience offering advice for these sorts of systems...

[froggy_pilot]

The safest helicopter in the world ? :confused:

Ask Nick Lappos, he will tell you it's a Sikorsky :} :E

[bugdevheli]

Many thanks for your inputs. The problem is that the more technical the machine becomes, the more costly the research and development. I have found that doing R and D as a one man band does not pay, but once you have the bug (pardon the pun) it is dificult to stop.( Nobody interested in the worlds most eficient wind turbine is there with a tip loss factor of less than 3%. or what about a number plate that cant be photographed or a little electical device that makes men irristable to any woman! Any of these items are available from Bug house, just send a sae enclosind a ten pound note:):)

[Dave_Jackson]

At the risk of belaboring a point;

Inventors are individualistic people that are focused on their own search for the holy grail.

That been said, it might be hoped that a group of rotorcraft inventors could come together on a common understanding and objectives, for the short or long-term future of rotorcraft. Then, while working within the boundaries of commonality and support, develop their own specific detail solutions.


Dave