StanFoster Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 On September 1st I first flew my Helicycle that I have been building on the last 2.5 years. Most of that time was waiting for the 4 shipments that the kit delivered in. I must say that the wait was worth it...the quality of the components were exceptional. I had to solo in an R22 before they send the elastomeric bearings to me...plus their factory guy came to my place and spent four days checking over my work, starting the turbine...and dynamically balancing the blades. Doug Schwochert did this and did he ever get my blades smooth as glass. I received my helicopter rating last October and the company said if I can fly an R22, this will be much easier. That is one big understatement. This machine is very docile....extremely smooth and all kinds of extra power. It easily flies 100-110. Anything much over 110...with the belts set at the correct tension...they will slip a little....showing the rotor rpm dropping a couple of rpms. I have watched several guys flying their Helicycles for years....and this thing is a tractor. Very easy to fly...very easy to maintain. I know its not certified, but its as good a non certified helicopter there is ......in my opinion. Here is a video of myself approaching my woods where I fly it into. There is a 70 foot wide chopper channel cut into the woods. My camera is mounted out in the breeze and gets buffeted a lot. That cabin is as smooth a helicopter I have ever been in. Stan Foster Illinoiswww.stansstairways.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 On the subject of Helicycles, why do they only have one seat? I would love to own one someday but half the fun is taking people up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67november Posted September 13, 2010 Report Share Posted September 13, 2010 Congrats on the completion of your helicycle, nice video too.Don't be a stranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikemv Posted September 14, 2010 Report Share Posted September 14, 2010 Stan, first, Congrats-well done, second, I can see how smooth the rotor system is as you idle and shut down, SUPERB! third, no need to fly down the alley of trees, it appears from the video that you have a large enough LZ to make a normal approach into the wind! Best Wishes, enjoy, be safe, Mikemv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChprPlt Posted September 14, 2010 Report Share Posted September 14, 2010 Awesome! Wish I was logging turbine time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanic Posted September 14, 2010 Report Share Posted September 14, 2010 Hey Stan, Congrat's... I am jealous, would love to build one of those. I have watched many video of those from the Bell Ranch Fly In's. Those fly in's look so fun. Maybe one day I can finish my ratings. I have started a new business about 15 months back and hope to be able to get an aircraft sometime in the future. Blue Skies!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanFoster Posted September 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 Hey Stan, Congrat's... I am jealous, would love to build one of those. I have watched many video of those from the Bell Ranch Fly In's. Those fly in's look so fun. Maybe one day I can finish my ratings. I have started a new business about 15 months back and hope to be able to get an aircraft sometime in the future. Blue Skies!!!Thanks guys- Here is a steep approach I flew yesterday into my shop where I keep my helicopter. Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernweyr Posted September 15, 2010 Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 Hey Stan that is awesome! Congrats on the completion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanFoster Posted September 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 Thanks for the kind comments! I really am enjoying this machine. It is smooth as glass....easily cruises at 110 mph.... any much faster than that...the drive belts start to slip slightly, as designed for limiting torque. Heres an air to air shot last Saturday of myself flying in Illinois. Stan Foster Illinois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brushfire21 Posted September 15, 2010 Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 Out of curiosity, what is the DOC on a ship like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanFoster Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Brushfire- At the risk of showing my fledgling ignorance....the term DOC you asked about went right over my head. I even googled DOC trying to not appear so ignorant. Please educate me what that means? Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
air_1 Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 I think he's looking for Direct Operating Costs. Brushfire- At the risk of showing my fledgling ignorance....the term DOC you asked about went right over my head. I even googled DOC trying to not appear so ignorant. Please educate me what that means? Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanFoster Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Air 1......thanks for the interpretation. I am not retarded.....just s-l-o-w! ha Operating costs are minimal until you reach 1500 hours. Thats when the rotor blades..transmission and tail rotor have to be replaced. Other than that....12-13 gallons of kerosene...JetA per hour. Elastomeric bearings..around $1.50 an hour. Drive belts....$0.50 an hour....oil changes/filter changes... 0.25 dollars an hour. other than that...very miniscule. I talked to the higest time Helicycle pilot...and the first part he showed me that wore out other than the above drive belts, elastomeric bearings...was a $6 rodend on his tail rotor. He has over 600 hours on his ship. I may be mistaken on the elastomeric bearings. I know they cost $450....and I conservatively estimated 300 hours. However...if you dont preset your collective to 3 degrees pitet before spinup.....you will shorten the life of these each time you do that. Then they may only last 100 hours. I have never heard of anyone getting less than 250 hours out of them. This machine is a breeze to look over...grease....adjust.....I am keeping a log of maintenance time versus flying time, just to see if I have the average of 10 minutes maintenance per flying hour. I know I worked on my gyroplanes that I have 800 plus hours flying in...lots more than 10 minutes per hour flying. Time will tell.... Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sneakin Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Congrads Stan !! I know the feeling of flying something you built with your own hands. Enjoy it but remember to stay within the machine's limitations. My Rotorway has been flying great and someday I will make the switch to the turbine engine. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanFoster Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Congrads Stan !! I know the feeling of flying something you built with your own hands. Enjoy it but remember to stay within the machine's limitations. My Rotorway has been flying great and someday I will make the switch to the turbine engine. BillBill- Thanks. I know what you mean by staying within the machines limitations. A good example is the tension on the drive belts. They are designed to slip any faster that 110 mph. I know some that tighten the belts past what they are supposed to be so they can fly 130 mph. Not me......I love this machine and want to keep it that way. Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
air_1 Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 Bill- Thanks. I know what you mean by staying within the machines limitations. A good example is the tension on the drive belts. They are designed to slip any faster that 110 mph. I know some that tighten the belts past what they are supposed to be so they can fly 130 mph. Not me......I love this machine and want to keep it that way. Stan Is the flying still going good Stan? I keep watching for new uploads on youtube of your machine. Good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanFoster Posted October 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 Is the flying still going good Stan? I keep watching for new uploads on youtube of your machine. Good work! Air_1.... Its still flying great. I take it up about every other day for an hour. Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inferno Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Love the videos Stan. I would love to get a chance to fly (or even own and build!) one of those things someday. They look like a blast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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