Flight Following

Last week I was talking with my CFI friend Jon Carlton about ADSB in and out on experimental aircraft. The discussion included the use of flight following for VFR flights in the USA. It is a free service to all pilots with a transponder.

None of my previous experimental aircraft have had a transponder and flight following was not something I had previously considered. My new Aviomania Duo will have a transponder and ADSB in and out. For future long cross country flights, I will use flight following.

Here is an excellent article on the topic:

Flight Following 101

Why I decided on flying an Aviomania Duo and representing the brand!

 Here is a picture of me helping my friend Bobby Ward get buckled in to take his first gyroplane ride.

Shortly after the flight Bobby started making plans to get training and build a gyroplane. He chose to build an Aviomania G1sB Genesis CE. Here is Bobby's website link for the build process. 

Before I built the Tangogyro, I had considered building an Aviomania G2sB Genesis Duo and after Bobby finished his machine I saw an opportunity as I retire this month to become the Aviomania Aircraft North American Agent since no one was helping promote their gyroplanes here.

The first step required selling my Tangogryo and once that happened, I contacted Nikolas Karolides at  Aviomania and ordered my first kit. Now I have established Aviomania of Texas, LLC. My plan is to have several quick ship and build rolling airframe kits stored in my hangar in Texas. This will make it quicker for North American customers to purchase and get started building without a delay from Cyprus. Once a sale is made, the customers engine, instruments rotor blades and propeller will be ordered and be ready once the airframe is built.

I will also provide service, parts and a builder assist program. Here is my new digital business card.

Phase 1 Changes IAW AC 90-89C

 Phase I can be a task-based flight test plan. The criteria is located on the attached pdf.

2.1.6.2 Expectations. The ability to use the task-based flight test plan as provided in this AC is enabled via the issuance of an operating limitation that allows its use, in lieu of the minimum 25- or 40-hour flight test periods contained in previously issued operating limitations. The FAA will permit the use of a task-based flight test plan based on your use of this AC and adherence to the objectives of the task-based flight test plan, providing the specified logbook entry, and maintaining the AOH on board the aircraft following flight testing. No formal FAA acceptance process is necessary for the builder to utilize a task-based flight test plan. Issuance of operating limitations with the traditional minimum hourly flight test periods specified for a pilot to flight test their aircraft as the sole occupant of the aircraft during Phase I remains for those who choose to do so in accordance with those operating limitations. There is no requirement to create, submit, or use a formal flight test plan. However, the FAA strongly encourages amateur builders to develop and utilize an individualized, comprehensive, requirements-based, operation centric (task-based) flight test plan appropriate for the complexity of the aircraft with specific tasks and objectives. The FAA also encourages builders to utilize the Additional Pilot Program (APP) described in AC 90-116, Additional Pilot Program for Phase I Flight Test. A task-based flight test plan should contain the minimum elements described in this AC, provide aircraft systems reliability and flight envelope testing to ensure that the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all the maneuvers to be executed, and ensure that the aircraft has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features. The FAA expects that builders follow their flight test plan, including those who utilize a task-based flight test plan. AC 90-89C

Transition

We recently completed our new home and hangar in an aviation community east of Dallas, Texas. I have finally decided to retire from being a school teacher at the end of May. 

For many years, even before I owned a Tangogyro, I was interested in building, flying and selling Aviomania Gyroplanes.

I sold my Tangogyro the week before Bensen Days and ordered my new G2sB Genesis Duo.

From https://aviomania.com/g2sb-genesis-duo/

"This gyroplane was designed in 2007. Like all our aircraft it has been tested extensively for safety, stability, maneuverability and performance. A lot of hours have been accumulated proving it to be a superb and forgiving trainer. It incorporates ALL the latest understanding in Gyroplane Aerodynamics and Stability.The airframe, as all of our aircraft was carefully designed for the best possible PILOT PROTECTION by a light, but very strong triangulated airframe that positions the Kevlar reinforced fuel tank in a protected airframe area. Same key features as our single seat gyroplanes which include true CLT design, a specially designed tail that compensates for most of the engine’s torque, preventing torque over, bunt over, power push over, PIO as much as possible and keep the airframe always parallel with the rotor’s flight path. This offers exceptional stability in all aspects of flight.All materials and hardware used in the construction of “Genesis” are Aircraft Grade. (6061 T6, 7075 T6, 4130 Alloy, AN Hardware). We strongly believe that, we are offering the best gyroplane that combines excellent safety, stability, performance and maneuverability. The gyroplane is offered with either a small nose pod (same style as the single seat), or with the new full body length open cabin."

It will come with the Rotax 912ULS at 100 HP and I may eventually upgrade to the Edge Performance EP912STI and 154 HP. Once it is complete I plan to purchase additional kits needed to officially become the Aviomania North American Distributor.

Low Rider

Last year I found an old air command low boy gyroplane kit that I am converting to a center line thrust machine. It will have a 3 Cylinder Yamaha engine, a Tangogyro tail, 3 blade Bolly Prop and Tangogyro Rotor head and blades. I will raise the mast a bit higher too. Lone Star Rotorcraft Club always has something in works too. For example, the modified the Green Aviomania AKA Kermit last year from a Yamaha powered machine to a Rotax 912 machine. Plans are in the works for it to change hands inside the club and have a new look and engine. Currently, the fuel tanks are leaking due to ethanol. There are other builds happening in the club too, including a Parson's trainer with a GA engine, Lycoming or Continental?

Recently, I decided to change the gear box on my Tangogyro from a 3:1 ratio to a 3.47:1 ratio. The Yamaha Nytro engine runs at 8200 rpm for peak torque and horsepower. My goal was to turn the prop slower with more pitch to make it quieter and more efficient at cruise without losing climb performance. My friend and CFI Ben Cadenbach has been flying very successfully with this combination in his Tangogyro.

My early flight tests went well, but, I started having some issues that I thought were related to the clutch that had almost 200 hours on it.  I removed the new gear box to check the clutch and I found that the main bearing inside the adapter plate was bad, so I replace it and the clutch pads. The repairs did not resolve the issue. I was told to open the new gear box and check it. I discovered that the nut on the main gear which drives the prop had not been torqued properly at the factory and was slipping on the shaft. I torqued the nut to over 100 foot pounds as directed by the manufacturer. I did not fix the problem, I believe that the inside of the gear was damaged on the shaft and has to be replaced. I am sending it back to the manufacturer for the repair. In the mean time I am using the original 3:1 gear box.

The Gyrocopter Experience York, England

Last June Danita and I took a trip to see her daughter in England.   We took a day trip to York and stop by gyroplane CFI and author Phil Harwood's York Gyrocopter Experience. Unfortunately Phil was not there, but, we did get a tour of the facility along with these photos from York including this one:

They have a number of vintage gyros on display and an awesome training platform that includes class rooms and simulator!

Lockhart, Texas

I am very thankful for the time the Army gave us in Georgia for my final assignment before retirement.  The guys at Peach State Rotor Craft helped me rebuild my Air Command,.  Jon Carleton with the help of Kurt Carlson and Lewis Gulley provided me with training that allowed my first gyroplane solo.  I really miss my friend Alexander Vagner owner of Tangogyro.  Alex passed away recently.

Unfortunately, my time in the Army and Georgia came to an end in late 2018.  I miss my Georgia gyro buddies, but, most of our family lives in Texas and I accepted a teaching and coaching job back in Texas.  So the flights I have been taking since are all in Texas.

During 2018 we started using 4 Blade Luga and NR Props in several different Tangos including mine.  Unfortunately they did not handle the stress.  Here are pics after I took a round trip flight from Lockhart, Texas to Blum, Texas early in 2019.  NR Prop cracks.

It was a long trip with strong winds.  I called 800-992-7433 (800-WX-BRIEF) for a Standard briefing before the trip.  The briefer told me the winds would be 20-25 knots from the surface to 4500 MSL.  However, on the trip back they were 35 knots or stronger as a direct headwind.  I made it back to Lockhart right at twilight!

My next long cross country trip was from Lockhart to my home town, Dublin, Texas for our 2nd Annual Gyroplane Flyin.  Pictured is Lucky McBeard (AKA Brad Stanford), Dublin Airport (9F0) manager.

Here are more photos from the event, Dublin, Texas St. Patricks Day Gyroplane Flyin

Later in the spring, I flew down to 1.4 hours to (50R-KBEA) Beeville, Texas to visit fellow gyro pilot and friend Ben Cadenbach.  Ben and I built our Gyros at the same time.  It was a fairly warm day and Ben, who is a pretty big guy gave a ride to another large person.  With fuel and all, the Tango carried over a 600 pound payload!

Here is the link to more photos and a video of the trip.  Beeville 2019

I also flew all the way around San Antonio in April of 2019 to a Young Eagles event at EAA Chapter 35 from there south to Castroville for fuel and back to Lockhart.   

Check out all my cross country flights as recorded on Naviator.