Tom Wright 2 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 More progress this afternoon , it all goes together very well ,which is more than could be said for my photography . Fitted a nice DU- BRO tail wheel that has a metal mounting plate Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 12/06/2014 15:35:12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 After setting the trims up and running a watt meter check I could not resist bolting on an old set of AJ Crane Fly blades and nipping over to the field for some taxi trials . The weather was warm and dry so the the lack of covering was not a concern as any mods or repairs could easily be done without messing up the finish. On arriving at the field the wind conditions were very light so I wondered if our short runways would be enough distance to get the blades up to speed , no need to have fretted as they were going well after around ten yards, the steerable tail wheel worked well and a little more power saw the model getting light with no tendency to pitch or roll so I went for it and off she went with great ease and a sigh of relief from me. The model proved very pleasant to fly with absolutely no white knuckles or need to use rudder in the turns, power off descents were fine as the model automatically adopted an agreeable nose down attitude followed by plenty of pitch authority to achieve a gentle landing. I also tried a hand launch which proved to be easy , and returned impressed with the model which had been assembled in a couple of days which included the redesign to accommodate all the gear out of sight and the undercarriage redesign , the really interesting thing was the lifting ability of the standard AJ 450 Crane Fly blades which flew this model extremely well ,I don't really feel inclined to try the broad blades supplied so maybe AJ will issue the kit with the standard 450 blades? I have not yet tried the adjustable shim plate so after covering that will be the next job. I must congratulate AJ again on the kit quality and very accurate parts fit nice one lads . Tom Edited By Tom Wright 2 on 12/06/2014 19:01:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Just a foot note to the first flight report .... The AJ 450 blades were shimmed at 0.8mm 6 mm back from the bolt hole centre, and the model will take any battery size (3 cell) from 1.3A to2.2A. Roll trim left (ACW) blades 2.5 degrees, pitch trim 4 degrees positive relative to fus datum or 17 degrees relative to level ground. Prop 11 x 5 cruise power 160 W Max power available 330 W. AUW as flown with 1.3A lipo 2 lbs. Rotor diameter aprox 36.5".OAL 34". Trim settings are likely to vary slightly from model to model so spending an inordinate amount of time to set them exactly to to the standard spec could be time wasted .If the model is built and test flown correctly approximate "eye ball" settings based on the published guide should be a good starting point . My example of the model shows every sign of being a robust easy build, with excellent flying qualities. And I understand that the production kit could cost less than anything currently on the market of equivalent dual axis size, which is good news indeed. Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian lawrence 1 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks for all the information Tom, a speedy builder you are indeed. I certainly like the look of the model. well done to AJ Blades too for coming up with the prototype. cheers Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 The model should come to life Adrian, when covered . Getting to the bare flyable stage is PDQ because the parts count is low and they fit together so well. Some offline have said its a Scout copy , but in fact the only common factor with the Scout is the use of a profile.The fus is different as is the control head , flex plate ,blades, and undercarriage, so it could be said to be Scout inspired but definitely not a Scout . In addition to the data I gave above after flying my model I have been asked to quote the hang angle, but it is worth pointing out that any value attached to the the hang angle is only relevant if the vertical cog is positioned in harmony with the thrust line and lift vector. If the model design does not achieve this or the builder carries out modifications hang angle can be virtually irrelevant in terms of getting any Auto gyro to fly properly. If everything is in order then Tractor Autogyros will generally fly OK with in the range of 10 -20 degrees nose down when suspended from the rotor bolt the first flights with my model were carried out with a hang angle of 12 degrees. So all I can say is that 12 degrees suited my model, but I suspect it could be trimmed to suit different values within the range stated. I find lower hang angle can result in sweeter roll only turns ,with less back stick required to keep the nose tracking the horizon, just my preference others may prefer other set ups, and it can also depend on the margin available between the lift vector and cog. Incorrect alignment compensated by an excessive hang angle can result in a model that performs badly. The Ajay seems to have a good cog position if built to as per instructions early indications suggest it should be tolerant to changes due to using different battery. sizes, I will be able to confirm this following more test flying. Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 A shot of the tail wheel I used, and yes I will add a couple of rudder horn screws to back up the cyno joint.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Are you bringing it to Greenacres Tom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Might just do that David , but will not be able to fly as I do not have an "A". . Flew the Ajay again this afternoon but this time with a 2.2A , no problem at all I even let one of lads fly it solo and land he was impressed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Good, I'd quite like to get a few (albeit non-flying) shots if I may Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Thanks David some good photos would be appreciated, so I better get with the covering... we don't want see any undressed Auto gyros . Shame the flying qualities cannot be demonstrated on this occasion, unless! we have a mode one 'B' gyro pilot to step in? Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon burch Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Tom,If you are there on Saturday I would happily fly it to get some shots. Been a while since we meet a couple of years ago at the gyro fly in up near Telford with your design.CheersSimon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Simon thanks ,it will be great to meet you again, I should be there on Saturday from lunch time onwards. Regards Tom.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Share Posted June 21, 2014 I managed to cover the model in time for Greenacres fly in, more photos and video to come thanks to Dave and Rich . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyrocopter Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Looks very good Tom and an ideal platform for night lights Chas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Share Posted June 23, 2014 A bright idea Chas . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Here you go Tom a few photos taken on Saturday.... Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 Thanks Rich, is it OK to post your photos on other sites? Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Posted by Tom Wright 2 on 24/06/2014 15:27:14: Thanks Rich, is it OK to post your photos on other sites? Tom. Of course Tom, no need to ask . When I get chance I will try and cobble up a video. Thanks for letting me have a fly with it Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share Posted June 25, 2014 Thanks again Rich for giving it a go , I have now recovered the blades to match the rest so it looks much better and fit to bring to Winterton Look forward to the video that is if you can edit out my rubbish attempts to get shots while you were flying.the model. Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John AJ Blades Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Thanks for all your help Tom. What a fantastic colour scheme? I think you have set the trend for what the Ajay looks like. Looking forward to the single function head version with elevator to see how that goes. Regards John A J Blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Wright 2 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 John it would be good to see some alternative colour schemes , lets see what Pete comes up with as he is about ready to start his Ajay build . A single axis version should work just fine, but I think the dual axis Ajay will be the ideal progression for the guys who have already cut their Auto gyro teeth on single axis , anyway the model is IMHO as easy to fly as any single axis I have flown and has the advantage of faster spin up for ROG and eliminates the problem of getting optimum mast angle which can be a problem with single axis particularly when slight variations creep into a build. Just my thoughts, but of course it's up to AJ to decide what variations will be made available, in short I like the model as is . Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John AJ Blades Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Hi Tom I think you are probably right about the single axis version but it was just an idea that Alan and I had, offering a model that could be made in either configuration by the builder. Regards John A J Blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Shamelessly posted again after its first appearance on the Greenacres picture thread, this video has a chunk of Ajay performing from the 2m 59s mark, folks.... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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