View Full Version : Helicycle, anyone flown it?
BigMike
30th Sep 2005, 05:58
Anyone have any hands-on experience with this helicopter, or have flown it?
http://www.helicycle.com/
http://www.helicycle.com/DSC05916_small.JPG http://www.helicycle.com/Bruce%20Mezzadri-1st%20Hover_small.JPG
No, not yet.
But it looks great doesn't it ?
Even though it's a kit, it looks good enough to get certified, any opinions about the design from the technical guys here ?
Steve
TheMonk
30th Sep 2005, 12:54
I like everything about this chopper except two:
1. The wide A pilar.
2. Can't take passenger.
Other than those two reasons, everything else seams to be good.
Tha Monk
johned0
30th Sep 2005, 13:33
Wouldn't be any use in the UK. . .
We need doors cos in the winter its too cold and in the summer its always raining. :{ :{
John
Sure you can get full doors for it.
Steve
murphystl
30th Sep 2005, 15:28
I have built a Helicycle ,N727X , and have been flying it for about a month. A Factory rep. comes to your location and assists in checking everything out ,tracking,balancing,etc. Engine is a Solar T-62 turbine. It flys great ,lots of power.About 23 have flown so far. Lots of details on the Eagle R+D website www.helicycle.com
Can you tell us some about about flying the helicycle like...
- How does it compare to the R22 in your opinion ?
- Do the front pillars block too much of your front view when flying ?
- How many hours to build ?
- How much did it cost you to build including instruments and extras ?
- How did it feel to do the first auto in it ?
etc, etc.
Cheers,
Steve
murphystl
1st Oct 2005, 03:02
Steve ; I think it flys better than the R-22. More like a Bell 206. The front pillars do not block that much view and you dont notice it after the first hour. I did not log my build hours but it could be done in 500 to 600 hours if you did not deviate from the plans. Most of us did some customizing , paint ,radios ,etc. I have about $45000 US invested. I have not done a full touchdown auto yet but am told it has plenty of rotor interia. Sorry for the short answers , never learned how to type. John M.
Thanks John,
Great photos of your machine on the helicycle.com site.
Steve
the wizard of auz
1st Oct 2005, 15:25
Waaay heeey. I want one o them.. has anyone in Australia built one or imported one??
Are there any known maintanance issues cropping up yet?.
Anyone managed to die in one yet?
What a great looking little machine. :ok:
BigMike
1st Oct 2005, 16:15
Future mustering machine?
Cant beat the price...
PPRUNE FAN#1
1st Oct 2005, 19:22
Anyone managed to die in one yet?Yeah. The designer.
Dave_Jackson
1st Oct 2005, 19:26
the wizard of auz,
"Anyone managed to die in one yet?" The designer and manufacture, B. J. Schramm, had a fatal accident in his Helicycle about a year ago. To my knowledge, it has not been determined whether the accident was due to the craft, pilot error, or pilot health.
The accident happened while BJ was flying low over a river wearing a helmet camera shooting footage for a promotional video.
The helicycle was recovered and no faults were found with the machine or with BJ's health prior to the accident.
The consensus view is the accident was probably due to pilot error.
Steve
the wizard of auz
1st Oct 2005, 23:21
Bugga!. Are they still being manufactured?. are there any in Australia yet?. how does the factory pre flight inspection and testing get done for out of country machines?.
TheMonk
2nd Oct 2005, 12:34
Its a homebuilt, so YOU, the builder, will be doing the maintenance and inspection.
Thomas coupling
2nd Oct 2005, 15:02
You lot are chasing a death wish...do you all own Lada's too???:uhoh:
the wizard of auz
2nd Oct 2005, 22:03
Gosh Thomas, tell us why we're chasing a death wish?.
Monk. the blurb on the website stated that they wouldn't supply certain parts, that were required to finish and fly the machine, until the factory rep inspects the machine and then they help to trim it up and test fly it.
TheMonk
3rd Oct 2005, 02:53
Thanks Wizard. I presume this would be the tail rotor gear box. It is good that they are doing that. It would certainly make me feel better about the company.
Tha Monk
I definately wouldn't compare the Helicycle to a Lada,
Maybe a Toyota Supra,
It seems the design is based on the R22, all aviation grade components, 25 flying, 10 year old design, 1000+ flight hours.
The word on the street is it was designed with certification in mind, but I guess the factory haven't yet got the $2 million plus for this and the manufacturing capability yet.
Who else wants one ?
Steve
Gaseous
3rd Oct 2005, 19:01
25 flying, 10 year old design, 1000+ flight hours.
Average 40+ hours per machine!!!
It may be fine but thats not tested enough to strap one to my backside! I'm with TC on this one.
Better than a mini 500 but still unproven.
Flingwing207
4th Oct 2005, 12:36
Better than a mini 500Perhaps one of the best examples of "to damn with faint praise" I've ever seen!