Phenix Autogyro Testflight
So do we get a debrief then?
Was this its first flight? Over on flight test you'll find a ready audience for how you planned and executed that. Or here doubtless.
How does the tractor prop compare to the almost universal pusher prop on gyros?
G
Was this its first flight? Over on flight test you'll find a ready audience for how you planned and executed that. Or here doubtless.
How does the tractor prop compare to the almost universal pusher prop on gyros?
G
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So do we get a debrief then?
Was this its first flight?
For right now there are still some minor adjustments, mainly to kill some vibrations from the rotor which is not the production rotor, so we need to see what it is like then. Also, the current rotor is a bit too big for the gyro and the prerotation currently gives 230 rpms "only". They say it will be increased, but need to change a few parts when exchanging the rotor blades.
Over on flight test you'll find a ready audience for how you planned and executed that. Or here doubtless.
You can see the scarier moments of the first flights also on youtube, but I wasn't involved.
How does the tractor prop compare to the almost universal pusher prop on gyros?
Now, from what I could tell on the tractor prop configuration, you can fly it more by intuition and it feels more natural.
I was very surprised that the Phenix gives even a taller 6ft3 guy like me sufficient space, head room and space for legs and knees although it has huge panel. The baggage area is as spacious and is designed for up to 30 kgs of luggage.
Everything else felt like other gyrocopters I have flown with: very short landing, a bit longer for takeoff, tight turns and steep approaches. Max speeds flown maybe 120-140 kms/h. I must admit I wasn't too interested as I knew that the final configuration will improve the current specifications.
The Phenix has another nice feature: a parachute in its tail. Although I was critical at first, I am now convinced it gives the pilot a second chance when he messes up or has a midair collision. Last but not least, pilot failure is the most common cause for gyrocopter accidents.
Of course we're interested, and thanks!
Interesting that you found distinct advantages in the tractor configuration, given the modern prevelence of pusher gyroplanes. How did it affect the comfort in the cockpit - similar, or were the noise and wind effects substantially greater?
On your video, the take-off roll seemed rather long - presumably there's no pre-rotator? Any idea why not?, or is that a temporary issue.
Ballistic 'chutes do make sense, particularly given the (at-least here in the UK) shockingly poor safety record of gyroplanes - I'd have thought that the main concern is negative-g induced loss of rotor speed. But, even then you've got the non-trivial problem of dealing with the risk of the BRS loom snarling in the main rotor blades and hub. Do you think they've adequately dealt with that?
G
(Declaring my hand slightly, I've somehow manager never to have actually flown a gyroplane - but I'm an airworthiness engineer and had a few occasions over the years to work on gyroplane design, testing and approvals.)
Interesting that you found distinct advantages in the tractor configuration, given the modern prevelence of pusher gyroplanes. How did it affect the comfort in the cockpit - similar, or were the noise and wind effects substantially greater?
On your video, the take-off roll seemed rather long - presumably there's no pre-rotator? Any idea why not?, or is that a temporary issue.
Ballistic 'chutes do make sense, particularly given the (at-least here in the UK) shockingly poor safety record of gyroplanes - I'd have thought that the main concern is negative-g induced loss of rotor speed. But, even then you've got the non-trivial problem of dealing with the risk of the BRS loom snarling in the main rotor blades and hub. Do you think they've adequately dealt with that?
G
(Declaring my hand slightly, I've somehow manager never to have actually flown a gyroplane - but I'm an airworthiness engineer and had a few occasions over the years to work on gyroplane design, testing and approvals.)
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Interesting that you found distinct advantages in the tractor configuration, given the modern prevelence of pusher gyroplanes.
How did it affect the comfort in the cockpit - similar, or were the noise and wind effects substantially greater?
On your video, the take-off roll seemed rather long - presumably there's no pre-rotator? Any idea why not?, or is that a temporary issue.
1. we had a t/o weight of 550 kgs. (fully tanked, I weigh 100 kgs myself, the rotor is too heavy as it was taken from a South-African 3- or 4-seater gyroplane and will be replaced soon)
2. The prerotator was rotated only to 230 rpms because it is too small for the heavier and longer rotor blades. The production prerotator should give 280-300 rpm, so say the guys from Phenix, and thus reduce take-off roll
3. The video was taken with a wide angle lens of my Nikon D90 and appears a bit longer than it actually was, an estimated 180 metres
4. The runway itself was quite a bumpy field with patches of grass and earth. Not really ideal to show short take off capacities.
Ballistic 'chutes do make sense, particularly given the (at-least here in the UK) shockingly poor safety record of gyroplanes - I'd have thought that the main concern is negative-g induced loss of rotor speed.
At first, I said "Hey, these people need to learn to fly" as I usually say about pilots who think that planes with parachutes are the solution to any other headache of practicing and learning to fly your plane. But on the other hand, on a plane you can learn to get out of a stall and have more options than with a gyrocopter which has had a mid air collision or when negative-g leads to a loss of control. Here a parachute will save the pilot's life. No need to be arrogant about it and keep nagging on better education at this point. (I am saying this to myself)
But, even then you've got the non-trivial problem of dealing with the risk of the BRS loom snarling in the main rotor blades and hub. Do you think they've adequately dealt with that?
As always, they haven't found anyone who wants to test it..