Crane Fly Light , Autotogyro Trainer , For experienced pilots trying autogyros for the first time.

[Tom Wright 2]

Cross posted with your photo Martin , which clearly shows the hefty aluminium plate, no flex there for sure ! The bearing and control arm design looks fine, and although it would normally be bad practice to have bendy push rods they should be ok in flight but, of course, very prone to bending and changing roll trim , after bad arrivals.

Tom.

[Tom Wright 2]

Congratulations to Tony for a successful CFL build and maiden flight .

Tom.

[Tom Wright 2]

Nice build Tony and thanks for the photo .

Tom.

[Tom Wright 2]

Hi All

It’s been quiet on here for a while so, the spare time has been used to get the CFL ROG capable. I had great success today and achieved numerous take offs without incident and in virtually nil wind.

Give me a shout on here if anyone would like the data.

Tom

[Martin McIntosh]

Yes please Tom. Not had chance to get out with mine again yet but you know that I am interesred in ROG with this.

Martin Mc.

[Terry Whiting 1]

I say post the data Tom as it must have interest to others that just view this site and may be contemplating the build.

Terry

[Tom Wright 2]

Hi All

Here are the details .

The model had the ruder coupled as per plan, the tail skid was music wire as per plan. The undercarriage was adjusted so the bottom of the fire wall was 7” from a level surface; the track was set at 15”.( Note the U-C piano wire diameter 2.5 mm). Wheels as per plan . Blades AJ as per plan except the shims were increased to 0.8 mm 1mm would also be OK.

With the model sat on the runway the mast / shaft should present at 15 degrees. this adjustment should also result in a nice nose down decent power off, with no elevator intervention necessary. The elevator trim was now 2 degrees up, as opposed to the little down normally needed.

The ground run was very stable and it was very easy to maintain directional control, no elevator input was used and the model simply levitated and established in a straight ahead climb.

Any questions ?

Tom.

[Deyrick Gibbins]

Thanks for the info Tom

Had a few flights with mine a few days ago and yesterday, today, still flies well.

Has been Windy or raining or both for 4 weeks or so, nice to get some flying in at all.

Deyrick

[Deyrick Gibbins]

Finally got round to moving the servos forward to the rear of the fuselage section, really crappy weather today.

Only thing is now the rudder servo is operating the wrong way (horns to center makes easier control run) so I put it on its own channel rather than crossing over Elevator/rudder control wires.

I will fly it with separate controls like the Auto G, I can always do the Ail/Rud mixing with the Transmitter If I want anyway.

Deyrick

Edited By Deyrick Gibbins on 18/11/2013 19:00:21

Edited By Deyrick Gibbins on 18/11/2013 19:00:55

[Tom Wright 2]

The very best Christmas wishes to all that have contributed to this thread.

Tom.

[Tom Wright 2]

One of my CFLs gets a winter coat and big boots.

Tom.

[Tom Wright 2]

Posted by Deyrick Gibbins on 18/11/2013 18:59:11:

Finally got round to moving the servos forward to the rear of the fuselage section, really crappy weather today.

Only thing is now the rudder servo is operating the wrong way (horns to center makes easier control run) so I put it on its own channel rather than crossing over Elevator/rudder control wires.

I will fly it with separate controls like the Auto G, I can always do the Ail/Rud mixing with the Transmitter If I want anyway.

Deyric

Hi Deyric

Let us know how things go ,when the weather tidies up . Have you set it up for ROG yet? if not try setting the uc up so the boom is 10 degrees to level ground .

All the best

Tom.

[Deyrick Gibbins]

Hi Tom

It has flown 5-6 times since moving the servos, I got rid of the small amount of lead that was previously required at the front.

It flies fine, not to bothered about ROG as the grass out back is a bit rough even when cut.

My FunCub has no problems due to the size of the wheels but normal size wheels tend to not move.

[bees]

Hi Tom, am I right in saying that when you suspend the CFL from the mast, The hang angle is adjusted so the boom is vertical to level ground. Hope this makes sense. Thank you Glen.

[Tom Wright 2]

Hi Glen

When suspended from the rotor bolt the boom should be 12 -18 degrees nose down ,relative to a level surface.

Happy New Year

Tom.

[bees]

Will do, Thank you. Glen

[Terry Whiting 1]

H Glen,

I cut a piece of scrap depron making a 15 degree triangle, this was taped to the mast the mast was then supported by the rotor nut then adjusted my battery until the edge of the depron angle was vertical to a window frame.

I do not own one of the electronic gizmos......Where there's the will there's always a way!

Terry ,

Edited By Terry Whiting 1 on 08/01/2014 16:16:31

[bees]

Thank you Terry, great idea will give it a try.

[Tom Wright 2]

Hi All

I have been taking advantage of the atrocious weather to catch up with my fixed wing models ,and have been busy building a couple of vintage style models and a 3.5m motor glider.

Having spent the best part of three years concentrating on Autogyros my fixed wing fleet have not seen much air time so they have been checked out prior to the new season that is if the jet stream ever moves north.?

Most of my Autogyros are now fitted out with AJ blades and Coolwind flex plates which has made is easier to do comparisons with the CF models built buy you guys and many others that do not post here. I think congratulations to AJ and Coolwind are in order as their specialist Internet shops have done so much to make building Autogyros so much easier, well done lads.

Tom.

[Al - AJ Blades Ltd]

Hi Tom,

It is good to see that you are fit and well!

Thank you for your very kind statement but I think I speak for everyone that if congratulations are due then they should be to you as it was you that gave John and I the inspiration to form our company in the first place.

Your unceasing help and advice you have given to enthusiasts all over the world,freely and in your own time, has been valuable to us all.The many thousands of hours you have given speaks for itself in the number of postings placed by you (must be a record?) and is appreciated by everyone.All this takes very special people and you are one of them!!

Al - A J Blades Ltd

[Martin 10]

Hi Tom,

Just want to let you know Chris Marx did come and see me about his gyro. We fixed up a couple of settings, moved landing gear and battery and of we went to the flying field. Had a very successfull maiden.

Got a email from Chris yesterday saying that he had acouple of flights now and getting better.

Regards,

Martin

[Tom Wright 2]

Hi Martin

That's great news Martin ,glad to hear your efforts have resulted in yet a another successful gyro pilot , give my regards to Chris and remind him to build the next one to plan .

Best Regards

Tom.

[Martin 10]

Will do that Tom

[alexandre niquin]

hi everybody,

i built an autogyro and i really don t manage to make it fly.... i have got blades of 800mm from ajblades and i scaled up the cranefly. first flight, the autogyro pitch up alone and then crashed. i moved forward the center of gravity and now it doesn t take off anymore and i get a huge roll on the right.... the motor is a 600w, i try blades with zero pitch and then -2,5 degrees pitch. the total weight is 2,5 kg and the rotor angle is 5 degrees. for the center of gravity, i hanged the gyro from the top of the rotor and the angle of the mast is 5 degrees with the vertical.( the noise of the gyro pitch down)

anyone could tell me what s wrong?

thanks for your advises

Alex

[Tom Wright 2]

Hi Alex

Can I ask if you have flown or designed an Auto gyro before?

Also could you give the AUW , the direction the rotor turns, and the angle of the fuselage relative to the ground , when sat on a level surface.

I would also need to know the material used for the tri plate ,and the size and thickness,some photos of the model would also be helpful.

Regards

Tom.