What about a helicycle?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 900
Likes: 26
From: The Wild West... and Oz
Helicycle, anyone flown it?
Anyone have any hands-on experience with this helicopter, or have flown it?
http://www.helicycle.com/
http://www.helicycle.com/
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4
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From: St. Louis,Missouri
Helicycle
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
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
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From: UK
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
- 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
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis,Missouri
Helicycle
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.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Bai, mi go long hap na kisim sampla samting.
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.
Are there any known maintanance issues cropping up yet?.
Anyone managed to die in one yet?
What a great looking little machine.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
the wizard of auz,
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.
"Anyone managed to die in one yet?"
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
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From: UK
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 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
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
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From: Bai, mi go long hap na kisim sampla samting.
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?.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
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From: Bai, mi go long hap na kisim sampla samting.
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.
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.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: UK
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
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