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VFR,
Mine's been flying for about 15 months now. Done almost 100 hours in her. The CAA were, on the whole, very helpful. Yes they were particularly pedantic about certain issues, but if you consider they've got yours and others safety at heart, it's no problem. I did as they requested, didn't enter petty arguments and didn't take anything they said personally. Also had some excellent assistance from Jonathan and David Bull at Southern Helicopters who despite not having sold me a kit were prepared to help as much as possible and guided me carefully through the beaurocratic minefield. J |
jelly copter
ian not going so going in 600 see you there any one else going steve |
It's looking like there will be up to 7 Rotorways there!
G-BNZO, G-CHTG, G-FLIT, B-BZOM, G-RAWS, G-CBWU and a guest Finnish one. If they all turn up, it'll be some kind of record for UK I think. J |
Rotorway Delta
I notice the Rotorway Exec has no delta 3 arrangement on the tail rotor. Have any Rotorway owners found any adverse effect because of this. Thanks Bug
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Bug,
I think there is more than one way to incorporate delta 3. I think offsetting the control horn will work but I would have to look it up to be sure. Just a thought. |
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Lucky escape for Rotorway pilot
Worldlink News Oregon
Helicopter crashes: Pilot escapes as copter burns in Coos Bay cemetery MILLINGTON - Employees of Sunset Memorial Park heard a terrible noise coming from the sky Thursday. Luckily, pilot Mike Garner knew what to do when his helicopter struggled to the ground from 1,000 feet and crashed into the cemetery, where it immediately burst into flames and was reduced to ashes and a gnarled metal frame. Using his helmet, Garner broke out the side window immediately after impact and walked away from the scene with only minor cuts and burns. http://www.theworldlink.com/content/...ews/news01.jpg The crash was caused by a mechanical failure in the Rotorway 162-F chopper that Garner built himself, he said. "The RPM meter was floating up and down," Garner said. "At 60 mph, I turned, exactly as I was trained, into the wind and pulled a full collective. I did that and hoped to hit a soft spot." Sunset maintenance worker John Kaiser was first to contact the pilot. "I thought I was going to pull out a bloody body," Kaiser said. "He didn't get hurt too bad, considering, and I'm sure glad he's alive." Garner concurred. "He asked me if I was hurt and I said 'No, now let's get away from this thing,'" Garner said. Chemical smoke rose among the headstones after the Millington Fire District put out the small blaze in under one minute shortly after 12:30 p.m., Fire Chief Drew Solomon said. The retired commercial pilot said he took off from Norway at a field informally known as "Crazy Dave's" and landed at North Bend Municipal Airport so he could have lunch with his friend, Jim Paterson. The crash occurred as Garner was making his way back to the valley. He landed mere feet from the grave site of his father-in-law, Jim McKinley. "I thought to myself, well, my father-in-law is buried over there, I don't want to hit him," Garner said. Garner ultimately made a relatively soft landing, he said, and no gravestones were damaged. "I usually fly at 500 feet, but I'm glad I wasn't. That wouldn't give me enough time," he said. Garner also was involved in a similar crash in a gyro helicopter over Bandon in the 1990s. "This is the second one," he said, adding he doesn't fear death. "All the co-pilots used to tell me I'd used up all my luck." He added: "I've got 20,000 flying hours, but only 115 in helicopters." Garner said he tried to maneuver to the other side of Isthmus Slough but came up short and picked the flattest spot in the cemetery. "I was surprised I was OK," Garner said, adding the helicopter's fuel tank is directly behind the pilot seat. He attributes his being alive to a helmet that his wife, Margaret, gave him for Christmas two years ago. "She made me promise to always wear it," Garner said. He held that and a partially melted nylon jacket for witnesses to see. Federal Aviation Administra-tion officials from Portland investigated the crash Thursday. According to Mike O'Connor, regional duty officer for the FAA office in Renton, Wash., investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have not determined a cause of the crash and the information could take months to be determined. Along with Millington firefighters, personnel from the North Bend Fire Department and Coos County Sheriff's Office deputies also responded to the scene. As he cleaned his wounds in the memorial park offices, Garner said he would haul away the destroyed craft himself. Asked if he owns other helicopters, he responded quickly. "I wish." |
My god. I'm constantly amazed at the state of a lot of the crash pictures I see to learn that the occupants not only survived, but suffered little or no injury. Seeing cars in similar states, al too often the results are truly tragic by comparison.
Si |
Not much left is there ? - I guess probably most of it burned out after he'd got out.
. . .pulled a full collective. . . and hoped to hit a soft spot |
Grainger.. thats the media for you, not likely that´s the exact words the pilot used!
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"He attributes his being alive to a helmet that his wife, Margaret, gave him for Christmas two years ago.
"She made me promise to always wear it," Garner said. He held that and a partially melted nylon jacket for witnesses to see." Great idea to wear a helmet (wish my present employer would let us wear them - I feel vulnerable without my old military style helmet). However, the nylon "flight" jackets widely on sale are a really dangerous flight safety hazard and shouldn't be used in a helicopter or light aircraft. On contact with flame or high heat, the material tightens and melts into the skin and can cause very severe burns, far worse than would occur with other materials. Anyone with one of these jackets should cut it in half and chuck it in the nearest skip! Buy a Nomex or leather jacket and wear an insulating layer of cotton, or preferably two, under it. |
"Immediately burst into flames"
Good advice, nomex or leather jacket. The Rotorway has plastic fuel tanks in close proximity to the exhaust pipes. The pipes glow red hot one owner told me. And the chain case leaks oil on to the hot exhaust as well. The case has a sort of top cover I think, but is not really very well sealed, so oil leaks out in a roll over I would presume. |
Slow rotor,
You are right about the plastic tanks and relatively close proximity to the exhaust pipes however, I don't think the design is as flawed as you insinuate and your 'presumptions' are a shade inaccurate. The tanks are constructed from a very strong impact-resistant plastic and are significantly stronger than alloy fuel tanks found in many GA helicopters. They are also covered in a heat- shield fabric in this area of the tank with a further alloy heat shield between the tank and the exhaust. Regarding the chain oil leakage; yes, it is a factor in a poorly constructed or maintained helicopter. The worst I've seen are a few drips appearing around the main mast aperture which in older machines is unsealed. A wipe with a rag between flights is all the rectification required. The latest aircraft have a main mast seal now which illiminates this source of leakage. Further; during a rollover, any oil that might leak from the oil bath would no longer be above the hot areas and 'should' drip harmlessly away. This link shows a picture of an Exec under construction and shows the fuel tanks/exhaust quite clearly. http://www.rotorwaybuilders.net/ucos..._shield2_s.jpg Some will say that there's obviously a fire risk because this Exec, and a few others, have caught fire after crashing - and they'd be right. But then all helicopters are susceptible to the same fate if the circumstances are right; see the recent thread on the Northumberland incident; and this one stayed upright! J |
Jellycopter,
I had inspected a rotorway exec kit that was for sale. Before buying, I called the Rotorway company and they advised against the purchase of the older Exec model for a number of reasons. The current 162F is probably better in several areas. Plastic tanks are not as crashworthy in my opinion. A heat wrapped shield prevents fire in normal use but will not help much when the fuel leaks into the shield in a crash. I think the Rotorway has never had a loss of rotor accident. Thats a good thing and more than I can say for several other designs.:O |
What does the height/velocity curve look like on this type ?
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Very similar to the R22. The manufacturer also states the following limit; 'No outside ground effect hovers for pilots below 150 hours'. (on type? not specific!)
J |
jjelly
are you building one? Rrussell |
"He landed mere feet from the grave site of his father-in-law, Jim McKinley"
My God!....of all the places to put down after an auto!.....scary |
Could have been worse, could have been his mother in law.;)
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Floppy/Russell,
No; I've already built one! Been flying them for about 4 years now and have had my own in the sky for 2 years. A great little toy if you're trained properly and fly them well. A real little bugger if you don't! A much maligned heli which I'm slowly trying to put right. J |
Found on ebay ?
Hi Found this on ebay and whould like comments on if this might be the way to go for hour building . Dont panick i am quite capable of the job in hand and whould dot the i,s and cross the t,s properly and leaglely . But how dose the 12 year rule aply to the rotorway .
Thanks Bauldrik Rotorway Exec 90 Helicopter - Spares/Rebuild Project Item number: 5589932138 price: £5,000.00 Item location: SOUTH WEST United Kingdom Rotorway Exec 90 1987. 152 Engine (Working) 8Hrs on Engine. This craft was bought in the States for $17,000 as spares for another Rotorway. However I have sold the Rotorway and am now left with this spare chopper. This is what you are getting: Main Frame, Boom complete with Rotor assembly (with 2000 3" conversion) and Blades. Engine (working order), all the gear controls and cables, foot controls, collector, petrol tanks, radiator and oil cooler, main rotor blades in excellent condition, rotor shaft all assembled, the fibreglass bodywork for the chopper with glass (doors missing), couple of gauges. Various other parts, quite a lot really. Engine is in place with Rotor Shaft and the Boom is attached to it. I guess what you will need to complete her is: a complete wiring loom, 5 gauges, 2 fuel pumps, belts, shims on the rotorhead (like washers), a few other bits and bobs. You really need to be budgeting £5K-£6K and a lot of love and dedication to get her back together. But what an excellent project to build in your garage over the next year or two. Why build a kit car when you can be building a real Helicopter?She also comes with Registration document and plans. My loss is your gain! You just wont find another project as exciting to own and build as this. Guaranteed. Payment is easy, £500 deposit via PayPal within 24hrs. The rest by bank transfer within 10days. Collect and remove the chopper within 14 days of payment or immediatly after. Viewing highly recommended. *NO Haggling!* This is as cheap as it gets. Just call to arrange a viewing. Don’t call to ask silly questions, this is not for “dreamers”, this helicopter is the real deal. UK Bidders only. No Scams, No Problems :) |
Whats left and is it any good?? A bottomless pit of money and risk in my humble opinion. Will Rotorway supply the missing bits? Check first.
Theres nowt wrong with Rotorways done right but buy this at your peril or take every single fastener out and do it to your own satisfaction. I considered a Rotorway but went for an old, fully certified aircraft (Enstrom) 3 years ago and haven't regretted it one bit. As it happened I needed three seats anyway. |
Rotorway Exec good buy or bad buy?
I have been offered a Rotorway Exec for £30,000.
I have been told it has a current UK permit to fly and has only done 25 hours. I must say i have not seen it yet, going to look tomorrow. I am tempted with the price if there were another two or three people to form a shared ownership group. This leads me to the questions to pose. 1, Are they any good,? I remember reading an article about them and that didn't slag them off much at all. Has anyone had much experience with them? 2, Is there anything I should be looking for when I go to see it? 3, Has anyone got any ideas of costings per hour? I am just thinking of using it for cheap hourbuilding.Wondering if it would be worth it. 4, Is there anyone else who would be interested in joint ownership? Machine to be based in the North West of England. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Chester.:ok: |
A while back I heard someone say : "Leave the flight testing to test pilots."
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There's no 12 year rule I'm aware of with the Rotorway.
Built well, they're a great helicopter. And they give you much more time to drop the lever in an emergency than a 22. But... You ARE more likely to have an emergency in a Rotorway than the super-reliable Robinson or other production helicopter. 2 up they are much less forgiving than a 22, you need more skill to fly one safely than a Robinson. In my opinion, with max payload they could do with a bit more power. I'd recommend you speak to the experts first. For example, at the moment its difficult to get insurance but this is being sorted. Ivan Bedford at Skegness probably knows more about Rotorways than anyone else in the country: http://www.icbhelicopters.co.uk/ Play safe with the seller of this Rotorway (look at his ebay rating and feedback). Bottomline: - If you are a skilled Rotorway pilot - Are obsessed with checking every detail in pre-flights - Minimise out-of-wind operations - Expect more servicing time than a Robinson - Fly as much below MTOW as possible (max weight per seat is 15 stone, but 2 @ 12 stone is much better) If you're happy with the above then a Rotorway could be for you. The Rotorway once built has running costs of around 70 pounds an hour (incl. fuel and ins). That takes some beating. All the best, Steve |
Now a Turbine rotorway
A UK agent has been appointed
so we smay see one soon http://www.aviotecnica.it/ http://www.aviotecnica.it/pr02.htm |
Old idea
and a bad old idea at that. Good to see they're retaining that belt-driven tail rotor...
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is it a rotorway ? not understanding Italian I can't understand it, I also heard that rw were in trouble ?
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Anyone fly Rotorway
Anyone out there have some flight time in the latest Rotorways and want to shed some light on it.
If you instruct on it please PM me.. cheers all 34' |
Rotorway
Does anyone have any experience of these helicopters either as a private owner or pilot?
I was wondering whether they are worth a look or should I steer clear? |
rotorway /giveitaway
r22helipilot, a man who has had a little or in my book too much to do with rotorways is graeme gillies, he has overseen and taken part of the importing the kit and rebuilding of the exc 90 to its first flight by himself. He has documented it with photos ....
if your thinking of saving money or if it is all you can afford,,,,,ask yourself how much do you value your life? Look at a comercial machine at least you can have a proven one ,dont take it personally but raise your standard of living , look at it .......realize at most of the rotorway stands at airshows, they arrive on the back of and leave on the back of trucks........ what heli experience do you have ,because everyone i know or havent met who flies for a living would say RUN FOREST RUN at the sight or thought of 1. So come on all you rotorway crazy fans lets hear it . Good luck mate |
R22Helipilot,
Get your teeth into this thread: Rotorway Corner But I've got a feeling that your post is going to end up there anyway. :E And, oh, a search will often save you from asking questions that have already been asked before. :ok: HTH, B73 |
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...crash3_203.jpg
It has not been the best of years. After a lot of fun over a decade a fire melted the fun in minutes. We plan to be airborne with a new Rotorway project in April;) http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publicati...ve__g_brgx.cfm |
A question for Rotorway owners
From memory i seemto recall that the tail rotor on the Rotorway does not have a delta 3 hinge arrangement. Can someone confirm if this is the case. If it is just a 90 digree hinge are the arms on the blades offset in any way? Thanks Bug
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link
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Rotorway Helicopters
Hi, I'm looking for 'constructive' reasons not to buy/fly a Rotorway 162f...
Please only respond if you have direct experience Uninformed slagging-off not required := Many thanks RA |
Rotorway 162F what's the story ?
So, what's the story with the Rotorway 162F ? The look better than an R22, have similar performance figures, but owners seem to sell them on with only a few hours done.
Do they all frighten themselves ? I know they can't be used for training but there must be an underlying problem. Can anyone explain for me ? |
rotorway helicopters
I have now discovered that Rotorway have a new helicopter the A600 Talon.
This has a dual fadec system, a shaft drive tail rotor drive and a cogged belt main rotor drive that appears to address the weaknesses that other people have highlighted. It is also built to certified a/c standards which should mean that the possibility of FTO's using the machine might someday be possible. RotorWay International - Premiere Kit Helicopters |
Brand new rotorway
The first flight on my father´s rotorway.
:ok: http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pg...RAw99ku5pMVrKI |
gyrotyro,
Sorry to correct you, but the new Rotorway Talon isn't built to certified a/c standards. While the new owners have stated they intend to pursue full certification, this would be impossible to US or UK standards without starting almost from scratch. (Still, an R22 wouldn't pass the standards now, it'd need a rotor re-design to give a 2-3 second dwell time instead of the deathly 1 second it currently has) All that's not to say the Rotorway isn't a great kit helicopter, it's possibly the best. Go for a fly in one, and you could be hooked. Best, Steve |
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