One Big Learning Experience

[asra]

Ok this potential incident happened a few years ago and probably should have been reported as an incident, but I think my pride got in the way. I wanted to share it with forum users and I can see some benefit to some pilots.. I had been flying for about 18 months and had done about 300 hours. During this period I

[Des Garvin]

Ross thanks for sharing your experiance.

[adrian_clince]

gday ross starting procedures are always in the back of my mind when im starting the gyro, i used to have an electric start on, until the gear ring come free and i havent botherd to put it back on, so now i give the prop a few flicks around before i hand start it , and always constantly going over and over in through my head when starting, is where the kill switch is ,the kill switch is near the throttle , but if anything decides to go wrong is the few seconds thats needed for it to go wrong, you have to aim for the kill switch and get it the first time,nothing has gone wrong on start up , touch wood, but i think its a good practice to keep up withbut i have gone with tieing the gyro to the back on the car, if any work has been done on the engine for safe meassuresadrian.

[eigyro]

I have a "chicken switch" on the mast.Anything not right on startup, release the spring-loaded switch, and step back.If all is OK on startup, reach down and switch on the regular switch.Also have my strobe powered through the ignition switch, so if I have my ignition switch on while priming, I get warned. Bugger-all use as a strobe, but a good warning device if you go to restart after a cutout.A guy here had a similar experience, only saved by hitting a hangar door and two other aircraft.

[chook]

Watch those kill switches guys. I had one below and rearward of my throttle lever which got caught in the cuff of the my freezer suit just as I pushed it forward for more power while hovering. Result - engine out at 150 feet with large tree just in front and a landing on sloping ground with a resulting rollover. Had a lot of experienced guys look at the gyro during the licensing inspection process and no one picked up the problem.

[adrian_clince]

hey eigyrohow are ya"chicken switch"??? ??? is this "chicken switch" always ready to go off" prematurely" while flying?? sounds interesting how you can have a "chicken switch" and it not be affected by the master. or regular switchor have i got it wrong??cheers adrian

[eigyro]

The "Chicken switch" is a spring-loaded push-button switch, mounted on the mast where you"d hold it while swinging the propwith the other hand.It"s wired in parallel with the regular ignition switch.You hold the chicken switch pressed while swinging the prop. When the engine starts, and everything is OK, you switch on theregular switch and release the chicken switch.If you get a surge, or the throttle stuck open etc, you just release the chicken switch and it all goes quiet.In my case, with a VW, coil-ignition, I have the strobe wired parallel to the coil, so it allows me to check I have power tothe coil for startup.It will also warn me, if, for any reason, i have left the regular ignition switch on, which could save you froma nasty surprise while priming.Got the chicken switch idea from W/Cdr Ken Wallis. The strobe idea is my own.Seems to cover most of the bases at minimal cost and weight.

[Disco]

I think that chicken switch and strobe combo is brilliant.

[admin]

Speaking of Ross"s lucky excape and just to really make sure you remember Ross"s Storyhere"s a news story from the US that has just occurred. Of a very similar thing, but with fatal results.NOTE THIS MACHINE WAS NOT FLYING IT WAS ON THE GROUND.............PILOT WAS TESTING THINGS.My condolences to the family........I"m truly sorry to hear about this............

This is from "KXnet.com"GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) Cascade County officials have released the name of a 57-year-old man who was killed when his gyrocopter collided with a small private airplane at Great Falls International Airport.The sheriff"s office says Allen Buffington of Great Falls was trying to test a battery in his newly purchased gyrocopter, a small craft that resembles a helicopter, Tuesday evening when the accident happened.Deputy Coroner Bob Rosipal says witnesses told him the aircraft sounded like it was at "full throttle" when it wheeled to the right and into the wing of an unoccupied parked airplane. Rosipal says the gyroplane never left the ground.The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a formal investigation. No one else was hurt.

[Ken Watson]

Accidents are often just that. I had a strange one years ago that was purely bad luck. While working on the gyro doing minor checks that all bolts were tight a small open end ring fell from my hand contacting the solenoid and the power lead on the starter motor. The prop swung striking me in the groin and trying to throw me over the gyro and the spanner fell off. I got a large cut beside my nuts. Half inch to the left and I would have lost them. I covered the terminals with silicone to try and prevent this again and I am more careful. I also disconnect the battery if doing more major work. Ken

[asra]

KenThe same applies while your

[Brian]

There have been a number of cases where on starting, the motor has gone to full noise for various reasons resulting in a variety of interesting outcomes. Unfortunately, one in the USA resulted in a fatal. The usual outcome is one damaged pilot before they manage to stop the noise. Its all very well for people to say switch the thing off but I can imagine the sheer terror of having one mad gyro at full throttle trying its best to kill someone.

[Des Garvin]

Ok you guys whereis your isolateing switch on your eath cable, weighs stuff all. And I noticed that Rosco puts them on his machines. Cheers Des Garvin.

[Disco]

Ok you guys whereis your isolateing switch on your eath cable, weighs stuff all. And I noticed that Rosco puts them on his machines. Cheers Des Garvin.How come your earth cable?

[Des Garvin]

Dean, Between the neg side of your battery and the point of conection to your frame you place a master contact switch that will handle the maximum amperage your electrical system experiences. Like when the starter is operating would be in the 150 amp range plus. When you turn the lever to the of position usally it can be removed from the switch. Set up in the correct way it will not turn its self off with viberation.Cheers Des Garvin.