would you fly this?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alberta
would you fly this?
Built in Calgary, Alberta.
http://stearns.homeunix.com:6348/TPCHovers.wmv
Love to hear your thoughts.
Regards,
Mark
http://stearns.homeunix.com:6348/TPCHovers.wmv
Love to hear your thoughts.
Regards,
Mark
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 289
From: Poplar Grove, IL, USA
It must be safe. It has training gear.
I think it is a mosquito. The version with the cockpit looks less scary, but it's the same stuff underneath.
I would love to fly it, but that would violate one of my cardinal rules: never fly a helicopter powered by a 2-stroke engine.
-- IFMU
See more, including some sporty video at:
http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/index.asp
I think it is a mosquito. The version with the cockpit looks less scary, but it's the same stuff underneath.
I would love to fly it, but that would violate one of my cardinal rules: never fly a helicopter powered by a 2-stroke engine.
-- IFMU
See more, including some sporty video at:
http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/index.asp
Last edited by IFMU; 13th July 2006 at 01:23.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,635
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
John Uptigrove is the developer of the Mosquito. He is a 'no nonsense', 'no 'bull!!!!' type of person. He has been developing and improving this helicopter for a long time. IMHO, his craft may restore some confidence in the mechanical reliability of ultra light helicopters that was lost during the era of the Mini 500.
One argument that can be made for a simple helicopter is that fewer parts should result in fewer breakdowns. An overworked engine will always represent a problem and John has gone through a number of different engines attempting to find the best.
Of course, poor assembly, poor maintenance, or poor piloting can break-up the best of craft.
One argument that can be made for a simple helicopter is that fewer parts should result in fewer breakdowns. An overworked engine will always represent a problem and John has gone through a number of different engines attempting to find the best.
Of course, poor assembly, poor maintenance, or poor piloting can break-up the best of craft.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 194
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From: US
John U
I spoke with John when he first started flying his helo, when he only sold one aircraft. I found him to be a very bright guy and seamed to be very honest. At that time he was only asking something like $9kUS for a copy of the craft. Now it is upwards of $25kUS.
Da Monk
Regreting that I didn't get one at that time.
Da Monk
Regreting that I didn't get one at that time.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 515
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From: Denver, CO and the GOM
Originally Posted by S70IP
Never fly a piston helicopter ever, let alone a two stroke!!!
Always a turbine
Always a turbine
I trust piston engines as much as turbines - they're all only as good as the pilot before you and the bloke what turns the wrenches.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,334
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From: Cambridgeshire, UK
Cool - kindof reminds me of VS300 footage . I guess ultralights will become more popular, hence cheaper, so anyone making them safer has the right idea. That looks like a direct control head, with collective acting through rods above rotor - simple and effective.
Dave, what other features make this machine more reliable? Are there any ultralights with stiff rotors? I'm never sure whether to use the term rigid or (lead/lag) articulated - engineer's soln: invent terminology!
Mart
. I guess ultralights will become more popular, hence cheaper, so anyone making them safer has the right idea. That looks like a direct control head, with collective acting through rods above rotor - simple and effective.Dave, what other features make this machine more reliable? Are there any ultralights with stiff rotors? I'm never sure whether to use the term rigid or (lead/lag) articulated - engineer's soln: invent terminology!
Mart
Last edited by Graviman; 15th July 2006 at 08:59.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 413
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From: leicester
I would love to fly it! Youll never feel more freedom in the skies than with a machiene like that!
MADY
Wait - having second thoughts when I saw the swashplate was built with a few paperclips. Imagine a bird strike with that!
MADY
Wait - having second thoughts when I saw the swashplate was built with a few paperclips. Imagine a bird strike with that!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Mart,
It has a very basic teetering rotor.
The United States - FAA ~ Ultralight (Part 103) was never intended for rotorcraft. The maximum allowable empty weight is 254 lbs., and this leaves no room for 'extras'.
_______________
Edited to add;
A 'rigid' rotor will give more control authority. However, a two-blade rotor with offset flapping hinges or a hub spring will result in 2/rev vibration. A three-blade rotor will overcome this vibration but it will also take the weight over 254 lbs.
Dave
It has a very basic teetering rotor.
The United States - FAA ~ Ultralight (Part 103) was never intended for rotorcraft. The maximum allowable empty weight is 254 lbs., and this leaves no room for 'extras'.
_______________
Edited to add;
A 'rigid' rotor will give more control authority. However, a two-blade rotor with offset flapping hinges or a hub spring will result in 2/rev vibration. A three-blade rotor will overcome this vibration but it will also take the weight over 254 lbs.
Dave
Last edited by Dave_Jackson; 15th July 2006 at 16:59.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,334
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From: Cambridgeshire, UK
Dave, I'm curious by what you mean by basic teetering rotor. I couldn't see any apparent swashplate, so i assumed (perhaps wrongly) that the cyclic controlled the rotorhub (hence TPP) directly.
I was kinda hoping some of the gyro guys could help understand if this gives better control over cyclic swashplate for teetering. Swashplate cyclic pitch control is afterall a servo mech with associated delays and control laws. Besides, it strikes me as a good weight saving.
Mart
I was kinda hoping some of the gyro guys could help understand if this gives better control over cyclic swashplate for teetering. Swashplate cyclic pitch control is afterall a servo mech with associated delays and control laws. Besides, it strikes me as a good weight saving.
Mart
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Mart,
The 'swashplate' is lower than normal.
From the Mosquito web site;
"Control Systems:
The control system is unique to the Mosquito. Main rotor control is achieved from the floor mounted joystick and collective through a control mixer in the base of the main mast, then through push tubes in the mast up to the base of the swash plate.
The swash plate is contained within the mast and is supported by a push tube located in the rotor shaft. Control rods on either side of the push tube transmit inputs through the rotor shaft to the control lever on top of the rotor shaft and then down to the blade pitch horns through pitch links."
Reference;
Here is Cicare's patent.
Here is Fetters patent.
Dave
The 'swashplate' is lower than normal.
From the Mosquito web site;
"Control Systems:
The control system is unique to the Mosquito. Main rotor control is achieved from the floor mounted joystick and collective through a control mixer in the base of the main mast, then through push tubes in the mast up to the base of the swash plate.
The swash plate is contained within the mast and is supported by a push tube located in the rotor shaft. Control rods on either side of the push tube transmit inputs through the rotor shaft to the control lever on top of the rotor shaft and then down to the blade pitch horns through pitch links."
Reference;
Here is Cicare's patent.
Here is Fetters patent.
Dave
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Joined: Jul 1997
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Europe
No license is required to fly the Mosquito Air or the Mosquito XEL in the US. A private fixed wing license is required to fly the Mosquito XE in the US.
