We could make it a BT party.

We're safe..

I could take you for a ride on the Duke.. But i don't quite fit on the Heli!

Comes with a trailer also. Plan on painting the body, tail feathers, and possibly the blades black. The yellow and orange is horrible.

It will be upgraded with 2 batteries along with a diode isolated 3rd battery for the fuel govenor in case the main buss fails. I am also incorporating a normally open fuel solenoid instead of normally closed just in case. It will take power to shut off the fuel, not the other way around. Of course, there is a manual main fuel shutoff as well.

The weakest point in the system is the fuel govenor. It is electrically controlled and there is only one govenor. I can supply redundant electrical power as described above, but if the govenor fails the fire goes out. I am going to see if I can think of a way to back this system up. The problem with the backup is that it needs to be instantaneous or very close to instant because the turbine will spool down very quickly and when you are flying at 500 ft or less you do not have time for an air re-start. I also plan on installing strobes on both sides of the boom and alternating LED lights inside the cabin between the pilot's feet for additional recognition.

What is the engine based on ? Is that one of those chopped up APU engines ?

Florian,

It is a 160 HP turbine used to drive a generator at 61000 RPM continuous for 6000 hours. The Helicycle limits the HP to 95 by limiting fuel flow. Idle is 43000 RPM and flight RPM is 61000. The hot section will most likely outlast the helicopter. My concern is with the governor.

Todd,

What is the engine cost at 750 hrs? Don't they say the airframe needs attention at 1500? What does that involve?

Heck, I don't know. I will fly it 75 hours per year max. BTW, I'm thinking BT party here in August for my 41st birthday. Golf, swimming, Beechcraft, and Helicycle in the yard. What you all think? I know Tripp is in and I am sure Dino will come. What about you Crandall, Bell, everyone?

Todd, trade you a ride in the Duke?

Marcus,

Bring the Duke. I want to just sit in it and make noise.

I would love to, but I don't think the boss would be too happy with me and the plane disappearing. As for the Helicycle, if I put this plan together, I could be flying 40 hrs/mo. I really like the engine, but an A600 or a 162F with the t/r shaft mod are possibilities. You had a 162 but didn't have it for long, right? What was the problem?

Andy

Andy,

The 162F is just a bad design re-hashed. The secondary shaft problem has never been fixed properly. The engine is underpowered and needs constant maintenance. The turbine conversion sits too high with the CG.

I also built a Safari. Nice cabin, but all sorts of vibration problems that never could be removed. The Helicycle has proven itself with some examples over 1300 hours. You are not too far away in MO. Someone can pick you up. A little golf, Scotch, Cigars, and helicopter time

I looked at the Baby Bell...I'd love a 47. Now I hear somebody is restarting the line, but they're at 22/300 prices.

August is very tempting.

I'll be happy to stop and pick you up.

I spent quite a while talking to the Safari folks at sun-n-fun. Apparently they recently discovered the resonance that was causing the vibes. A beef up on the tail structure solved the problem.

Andy

What you need is a humming bird helicopter with C-18 in it..