Hi Guys,


I had a pullout autogyro free plan from a UK magazine doubled in sized by the kind Guys in the drawing office at work last November. I decided I was going to build this one for my Dad as a Christmas present as he's got everything else!
Christmas day came and although not quite complete his eyes lit up when he set eyes on it!

The maiden flight took place today and despite being underpowered it was very, very stable. The span is roughly 101" from tip to tip and for todays flights it was powered by a Super Tigre 2000 (20cc). My Dad will fit a 2500 engine to night ready for tomorrow.
Here are a few pictures taken today of the flight.
I have taken some footage of the Maiden flight but im unsure on how to link it to You tube????

Rich

Heres the Maiden flight ...Hopefully

Model Autogyro Large 101" span Maiden Flight (1 min 27 sec)

Hey Rich! Your dad looks like he has flown gyros before!!!! That flies real nice and you did one heck of a job on it! I know your dad is proud of your work and he should be!

I like how nice the Kestrel floats along like a twin gyro should fly.

Congats to you and your dad!!!!

Dave

Dave,
Believe it or not this is the first time my old man has ever flown a Gyro..he commented 'It's just like flying a trainer, but bigger' LOL!!
He did let me have a flight and its just like flying a high wing 3 channel model....But with a Great Big GRIN on your face!!!


Rich

Here is the second flight with a kind of controlled landing...please excuse the car engine talk!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CRk_pqUGAGM

Congratulations!!! What a nice job and flying!!!

Looks very good

I wonder how much under powered it really is? If it has enough power to get airborne and climb, then will you really need much more than that? I assume it was taking full throttle to get moving and get airborne, in which case a bit extra will be handy

PeterO_UK

Thanks Jordi & Peter,
It is flying on full power whilst in the air and was just about keeping airborn, my Dad did try a smaller 16" prop but it would'nt even ROG with this on. I think more power is the answer so we shall see how it goes in the morning with the ST 2500. Just in case this is not enough he has a ST 3250 he could try.
The weather forcast for tomorrow here in the UK is excellent so I shall keep my 'fingers crossed'

Rich

So....when going down wind....it is hard staying up? yeah....that is a problem. Still....it looks awesome in the air!!!! Good luck with the next motor. please keep us updated????

Dave

Do you have the largest diameter/low pitch prop possible on the current motor?


Can't wait to see more video!

Hey.....some video of the Profile Kellet would be nice also!!!!

Dave

Originally Posted by SafeLandings

Thanks Jordi & Peter,
It is flying on full power whilst in the air and was just about keeping airborn, my Dad did try a smaller 16" prop but it would'nt even ROG with this on. I think more power is the answer so we shall see how it goes in the morning with the ST 2500. Just in case this is not enough he has a ST 3250 he could try.

The small amount of experience I have seems to suggest that it's thrust rather than pitch speed that's needed. As imsofaman suggested I would have tried a bigger and possibly finer pitched prop before going to the trouble of changing the engine. I'm sure it will fly beter on the bigger engine

The weather forcast for tomorrow here in the UK is excellent so I shall keep my 'fingers crossed'
Rich

I know (Essex here). I'm hoping to fly my BEGi again this afternoon.
PeterO_UK

Good luck with your BEGi Peter..its near perfect conditions today, just a bit chilly.
Rich

OH RICH! That was SWEET!!!!!!!!

I've never seen an autogyro that size get up in the air......remarkable!

Nice flying. Look forward to seeing what the bigger motor will do!

jodini

Originally Posted by SafeLandings

Good luck with your BEGi Peter..its near perfect conditions today, just a bit chilly. Rich

Well I hope you had more luck that I did. My BEGi is no more
PeterO_UK

Pete,
Unfortunately we had a bad morning as well, the Kestrel took to the air with ample power this time and did several circuits climbing to about 250 feet. My Dad then decided to try a shallow dive which caused the port rotor to tuck downwards striking the wing....It was very spectacular watching it self destruct at about 200 feet. The wing and rotors were completly destroyed but the fuselage was not that badly damaged.
It will be repaired!!!

I hope this makes you feel better Pete!

On a good note I managed to test fly my Profile Kellet late this afternoon with great success...I will post the video of the second flight later on.