How much fun is this !!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9
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From: up north
How much fun is this !!
hi guys and girls, check this out.....
can you get any closer to fun, or is this just a perfect way to end your career as a pilot
www.airscooter.com
can you get any closer to fun, or is this just a perfect way to end your career as a pilot
www.airscooter.com
Joined: Sep 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 636
From: Great South East, tired and retired
End your career? More like end your life. Fixed pitch blades with variable RRPM is a path long ago abandoned by designers. Throttle response and performing an auto are both limited. But from 10 feet you can't auto anyway, so just top up your life insurance and go for it!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 622
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
From: Canada
AirScooter
The pitch of the blades would have to be positive to generate lift. Therefore in the event of an engine failure, RRPM would decay and there would be no autorative capability, as A.C. suggested. No wonder ceiling is limited to 50 feet!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 373
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From: ON A HILL
How much fun is this !!
Cmon you chaps! wheres your spirit of adventure this is really flying by the seat of your pants. No fancy rev counters, you keep the blades on by tuning your ear to 500rpm . No room for mistakes on these little beuties. One heavy landing, and you can kiss your ass goodbye oooooh i love em
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 352
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From: Andover, Hampshire
RDRickster.........Your photo is of the Mosquito ultralite helicopter.
I am seriously considering purchasing this kit (US$ 17,500). I contacted the company and they assure me that it is fully auto capable. The 3 legs are my only concern. They do not make a skidded version mainly to keep the weight below the limit that makes it an ultralite. Any kind of lateral or longitudinal movement on touchdown could mean disaster!!!
I dont like the look of the scooter......fixed pitch.....no thanks!
I am seriously considering purchasing this kit (US$ 17,500). I contacted the company and they assure me that it is fully auto capable. The 3 legs are my only concern. They do not make a skidded version mainly to keep the weight below the limit that makes it an ultralite. Any kind of lateral or longitudinal movement on touchdown could mean disaster!!!
I dont like the look of the scooter......fixed pitch.....no thanks!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
KENNYR,
Supposedly they have over 20 kits flying. I'm not sure I'd want to practice an auto in such a small craft. Dynamic rollover would be a concern with that tripod, but it could be fun at low altitude (still dangerous). I imagine that you'll really need to be careful about weight, balance, and CG... leaning too far in the seat could mean trouble and you might not realize you are doing it. Personally, kits aren't really for me.
Mainly, I'm against kits for the following reasons:
1) I'm not THAT mechanically inclined
2) Kits are usually much more expensive than anticipated
3) I don't have the time required for that kind of hobby
4) Limitations on where and when you can fly experimentals
5) Flight time in an experimental probably won't do you any good
6) Safety (i.e. click here for analysis of secondary drive failures on Exec 162's)
Reasons 1-4 are really why I stick to certificated helicopters. If I wanted a hobbie, had a decent garage with lots of tools, and had extra money to burn... then, I would probably re-consider. Folks that view kit aircraft as anything other than a fun hobby are in denial. Kits can't be used for commercial practices and visions of flying your buddy over congested areas on your way to work aren't going to happen (legally).
R2
Supposedly they have over 20 kits flying. I'm not sure I'd want to practice an auto in such a small craft. Dynamic rollover would be a concern with that tripod, but it could be fun at low altitude (still dangerous). I imagine that you'll really need to be careful about weight, balance, and CG... leaning too far in the seat could mean trouble and you might not realize you are doing it. Personally, kits aren't really for me.
Mainly, I'm against kits for the following reasons:
1) I'm not THAT mechanically inclined
2) Kits are usually much more expensive than anticipated
3) I don't have the time required for that kind of hobby
4) Limitations on where and when you can fly experimentals
5) Flight time in an experimental probably won't do you any good
6) Safety (i.e. click here for analysis of secondary drive failures on Exec 162's)
Reasons 1-4 are really why I stick to certificated helicopters. If I wanted a hobbie, had a decent garage with lots of tools, and had extra money to burn... then, I would probably re-consider. Folks that view kit aircraft as anything other than a fun hobby are in denial. Kits can't be used for commercial practices and visions of flying your buddy over congested areas on your way to work aren't going to happen (legally).
R2
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Andover, Hampshire
I know my limitations and the kits limitations
I retire in a few years and this is going to be my retirement project. As far as I am aware, as long as I stay out of controlled airspace and below the 8,000' HOGE limitation then I can fly anywhere during daylight operations.
I also do not like the undercarriage setup and would look at a possible homebuild remedy using aluminium tubing to replace the three legs.
The kit itself comes in 5 lumps. They dont send the final package until you prove that you have had flying lessons in an ultralite helicopter or have the necessary licenses. I think my CPL(H) might be sufficient even though it has lapsed.
I retire in a few years and this is going to be my retirement project. As far as I am aware, as long as I stay out of controlled airspace and below the 8,000' HOGE limitation then I can fly anywhere during daylight operations.
I also do not like the undercarriage setup and would look at a possible homebuild remedy using aluminium tubing to replace the three legs.
The kit itself comes in 5 lumps. They dont send the final package until you prove that you have had flying lessons in an ultralite helicopter or have the necessary licenses. I think my CPL(H) might be sufficient even though it has lapsed.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Two turbine kits to consider...
I'm sure you already plan on getting checked out again with your local CFI when the time comes. Anyway, I thought I'd pass along the following information (I'm a digital pack-rat of useless data)...
CH-7 Turbine Conversion (read through all the articles)
B.J. Schram's Helicycle
CH-7 Turbine Conversion (read through all the articles)
B.J. Schram's Helicycle
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
rotornut,
Perhaps I'm taking this the wrong way, but your post seems a very pathetic attempt at humor. Hopefully, it wasn't your intent to humiliate those that have paid the ultimate sacrafice. Regardless of your political views, please show our troops more respect and appreciation.
R2
Perhaps I'm taking this the wrong way, but your post seems a very pathetic attempt at humor. Hopefully, it wasn't your intent to humiliate those that have paid the ultimate sacrafice. Regardless of your political views, please show our troops more respect and appreciation.
R2
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Queensland Australia
With regard the scooter - I don't think I know of anywhere I could fly below 50ft and get over trees, buildings etc. My area of operations would be pretty cinfined.
After all the time and effort required to build it it would rapidly become a white elephant.
With regard the tripod thingy - I don't think I've ever managed a complete full stopped auto - always have a bit of run-on. So if you repeat that in the whirling tripod you'd end your days very quickly! - probably with a part of a tripod up some orifice.
I spent lots of time comparing buying or building and ended up buying.
if you're interested in my prattlings have a look at http://helipics.homestead.com
and go to [technical stuff] -> [Buy or Build]
After all the time and effort required to build it it would rapidly become a white elephant.
With regard the tripod thingy - I don't think I've ever managed a complete full stopped auto - always have a bit of run-on. So if you repeat that in the whirling tripod you'd end your days very quickly! - probably with a part of a tripod up some orifice.
I spent lots of time comparing buying or building and ended up buying.
if you're interested in my prattlings have a look at http://helipics.homestead.com
and go to [technical stuff] -> [Buy or Build]
