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G'Day All,Got two half hour flights in this morning, followed by another short 18 minute flight, wind came up 10-15 knots variable and gusting.Here's a couple of on board pics taken on the last flight.MitchDownload Attachment: [img]images/icon_paperclip.gif[/img] r.JPG46.08
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Geez Mitch,that country looks as dry as ere.Only youv still got sone ground cover.Ignorance is bliss............but only till you realise you were.Ingratitude stinks.......be generous carefully.
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I don't think Mitch gives much of a sh!t about whether the country is wet or dry Birdie.Like me, he's now solo ;-) (brings a tear to the eye)On ya, Mitch!!!telf
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Went flying again this morning, clear flying at less than 320 feet above that, all fogged in. Practiced some vertical decents and "S" Turns over the runway. Great fun. I have three hours solo now, so I'm pretty pleased with the progress. Looking forward to finalising the paper work and honning the required skills for engine out.Country is real dry Birdy. Did you know that Hobart gets half the average rainfall of Perth WA. Doesn't sound right but most of the rain gets dumped on the west coast and Tassie has arid zones through the Midlands area. How's your flying going Telf? Too much fun!!!! Mitch.www.thebutterflyllc.com
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No flying yet as I'm still in Melboring (I think that's how you spell it) getting a neck problem looked at.The doc said that the bolt won't hang out too much either side of my neck.Doctor Franken-something his name was.Won't get back to Alice until Tuesday so I probably won't fly again until Sat week.I'll keep you posted.telf
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Gents,My Butterfly is a dream machine. Left home at 0600 hrs, rolled out Butterfly at 0645 hrs and after pre-flight, took off at 0730 hrs. Nil Wind for a change, thick heavy cloud base way above me. Practiced vertical decents, simulated power outs from 500 AGL. Getting used to standing on the pedals during the throttle back approaches. Several touch and goes. Put 58 mins on the clock. Each flight time and altitude increases with every flight.Mitch.www.thebutterflyllc.com
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Great to hear that you are doing well Greg, just take it steady and keep practising !!Always good when learning to fly to pick calm days or the calmer part of the day which is usually just before sunup & then again just before sundown. I reckon you are onto something there ie, your lightweight Butterfly, as some newbies seem to want an enclosed or partly enclosed gyro with a big Suby ie a Sparrow Hawk or similiar and will find they have a gyro thats not a lot of fun to chuck around where as the Butterfly would be a dream to have fun in. My first gyro was an open framed EA 81 Suby powered and it was more fun to fly than my current gyro which has heaps more power but is plain heavy to push around. My disclaimer, I'm not an instructor.You never know how far you can go, till you get there !
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Cheers Brian,Good advice, thanks Mate. You are absolutely right re: fun with light weight gyros. This 'baby's' climb out rate is impressive. Everyone, fixed wing and gyro alike, all comment when Butterfly goes 'vertical'. On take off with stick well forward to keep her from climbing, she can rush off to 50 knots plus very quickly at straight and level, just off the deck. Lightly back on the stick for 35 knots and it's like riding an elevator, with a rush. They simply have not seen anything quite like it. Brian, I believe it's the whole package that these guys are looking at. Dare I say it, high rider, high C of G, CLT Type Craft, ( Thrust line 1 1/2" under C of G ), thrust line, in line with keel, HS in first third of prop wash, Zero incidence on HS, ( HS in line with thrust and keel ).She will fly S & L as low as 5200 rpm, at 35 knots, the usual is around 5400 to 5600 rpm, she climbs out at full throttle at 6450 - 6500 rpm. Maximum engine rpm 6800, for 503 twin carb rotax. Due to the light weight and comparatively low S & L engine rpms, she is not as loud as most gyro's and I would expect the engine is not getting so heavily taxed. Plus she has plenty of engine rpm in reserve. I have flown in 20 knot winds four or five times now. Butterfly dances around for sure but always in the right direction and it's just a matter of going with her and enjoying the flight. Easy for me to say that now but the first big kick of wind I got, I wanted to get down pretty quick. Like I said I've had a little time to work up in wind velocity and am now enjoying a little bit of a ride. Most of the time I have turned her in and landed into the wind. Have had several light crosswind landings and am getting better at the cross control. Still prefer the former at this stage of my learning curve. I do fly on my own early out at the strip, most of the boys dont get out there till 10.00 am or later. So I do thorough pre-flights and although I am trying to get some descent (which means fun) flying in over the training area am am still as you so rightly suggest Brian, taking it steady and keeping up the practice. I only have 6 hrs, the journey has just started.Obviously I am sorry to hear you can not make it to Cooma Brian, I was looking forward to meeting you, I have keenly followed and learnt much from your posts both here and abroad and will continue to do so. Thanks for taking an interest.[
]Cheers,Mitch.www.thebutterflyllc.com
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Thanks for the compliments Mitch, much appreciated, I call it as I experience it, I get proven wrong sometimes but I'm prepared to admit a mistake cause I do make them. I remember when learning listening to the old hands telling of their experiences and learning so much which gave me a good base for later on when things dont go as you plan.Very impressive figure on a 503, imagine a Butterfly with more horses...boy, would love to see what she could do !!!There's no doubt she is well set up and I like the stab up high. What diameter rotors are you using ?You never know how far you can go, till you get there !
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Brian,I have my Butterfly set up exactly how Larry Neal prototyped this range of craft. Bensons 21' 9". I bought a set for $500 and they fly great in my book. I believe in the US they use Benson /Brock on Butterfly and Dragon wings on Monarch are 23 footers. The only difference between Butterfly and Monarch is a step up in horses from 52 hp to 65 hp on the 582 Rotax. Maybe not quite 65 hp with the after market silencer set up. Same light frame but add some extra weight for GFLG. Contact Allan Wardill, he could tell you more about just how quick Monarch is. Allan is flying Patroney Blades at 23' 4".Cheers,Mitch.www.thebutterflyllc.com
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Hi Mitch, is Allan bringing his Monarch to the Nationals?Aussie Paul. []www.firebirdgyros.com
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Great.Aussie paul.[]www.firebirdgyros.com
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Keep up the good work Mitch, you'll make a killin i reckonMark
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Thanks Mark, you know 'they' reckon it takes a large fortune to make a small fortune in aviation, 'they'd' be right. Raising the two kids full time at home in the shack whilst building the stonehouse brings it's own joys and rewards. Being involved with the Butterfly range and now flying affords me a whole new life style and allows me to correspond with and meet at flyins, a bunch of real good people. This is really how I profit. If it pays for my flying time Mark, I'll be happy.Mitchwww.thebutterflyllc.com
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