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Gyrocopter one mile high

StanFoster | Posted in Photo Gallery on March 11, 2006 02:31am

I am working on my 40 hour fly off…so I went up to 5400 feet today to see how it performed.  I was above the clouds.  

 

I cant get over hwo I can fly completely hands and feet free as it climbed up to 5400 feet. 

 

Stan

Reply

Replies

  1. BoJangles | Mar 11, 2006 02:38am | #1

    Stan,  That makes my heart flutter!!  I'm saving up!!  You have to be a pilot to know what that feels like!!

  2. stinky | Mar 11, 2006 03:13am | #2

    Stan some great pics..how does she handle in light chop? Can you go instruments only if you have to.

    There is no doubt about it, this machine is soooo much more then your typical open seat gyrocoptor. Stan at 5000 feet with the temperature decrease compared to sea-leval do you have a heater on board?

    Looks like you have really been enjoying yourself. Stay safe and keep the pics coming..stinky

    1. StanFoster | Mar 11, 2006 03:57am | #3

      Stinky:   I have plenty of heat.  Its short sleeve environment up there even if its in the single digits.

       

      Today it was about 55....up there at 5400 feet it was about around 38.

       

       

      Stan

      1. butch | Mar 11, 2006 05:42am | #5

        thanks for sharing, those pixs rock

      2. User avater
        Bluegillman | Mar 11, 2006 06:38am | #6

        temperature on the dashboard? I always wonder how much differ it is up there than on the ground....

        1. StanFoster | Mar 11, 2006 03:11pm | #7

          Blue:     The temperature typically drops 3.5 degrees every thousand feet you go up.

           

          Stan

          1. custombuilt | Mar 14, 2006 07:13pm | #8

            In the mile high club now stan?

            And I thought you couldn't take passengers yet!

             

             

          2. mike585 | Mar 15, 2006 01:26am | #9

            He's in the solo mile high club!"With every mistake we must surely be learning"

  3. riverman | Mar 11, 2006 05:41am | #4

    I see your gettin up in the world?

    all kidding aside, that's cool!

  4. chuckkeller | Mar 15, 2006 02:30am | #10

    What is the service ceiling on that machine?

    If, at first, you fricascee, fry, fry a hen!

    1. StanFoster | Mar 15, 2006 02:46am | #11

      Chuck:    It will fly over 10000 feet.

       

      Stan

      1. chuckkeller | Mar 16, 2006 01:09am | #13

        Stan'  TKS 4 reply.   Does your aircraft have a heater?  What is the T/O & landing roll?  Thank you for your time, Chuck KellerIf, at first, you fricascee, fry, fry a hen!

        1. StanFoster | Mar 16, 2006 01:44am | #14

          Chuck:   It has a good heater in it....hot water...like my other one.   You can fly in shirt sleeves when its 0 out.

           

          The take off roll depends on the wind.   If there is no wind...then the the take off roll can be 500 feet.  If there is strong wind..not much roll at all...

          Landing....no wind..0-10 feet....maybe 20 if you are sloppy.

          Here are some pictures I took today.   I love to fly for miles real low. 

           

          Stan

          1. Lad | Mar 16, 2006 02:58am | #15

            Stan,  really enjoyed the thread.  Been following for months.  If I recall correctly, you said that the gyro has a Subaru engine.  Does it run on regular unleaded and where is the fuel tank on that thing?

          2. StanFoster | Mar 16, 2006 03:14am | #16

            Lad:  It has a 160 horse fuel injected  EJ25 Subaru engine.  The fuel tank holds 22 gallons and is right under the seats.   It will burn regular to premium...or avgas.

             

             

            Stan

          3. User avater
            jonblakemore | Mar 16, 2006 04:43am | #18

            Here are some pictures I took today. I love to fly for miles real low.

            Stan, is there a limit on how low you can fly for an extended period of time? 

            Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

          4. StanFoster | Mar 16, 2006 04:46am | #19

            Jon:  There is a limit to how low you can fly....its right when the wheels start touching stuff......ha......couldnt resist.

             

            Basically...I just have to maintain 500 ft.  from any person, vehicle or building.  That means I can fly one inch high 500 feet from a house...or fly directly over the house at 500 foot altitude.

             

            Stan

          5. User avater
            jonblakemore | Mar 16, 2006 04:49am | #21

            Interesting. Do you worry about power lines much? 

            Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

          6. StanFoster | Mar 16, 2006 01:10pm | #22

            Jon:    If I have any doubt of a power line around...I am back up to altitude.  My low flying is done in very familiar territory though.

             

             

            Stan

          7. chuckkeller | Mar 18, 2006 01:47am | #23

            Stan,   Wonderfull pictures!!          Land looks like Mid West?  What is make of your gyro?  As always, Tks 4 takeing time to answer my{our] questions.             Chuck KellerIf, at first, you fricascee, fry, fry a hen!

          8. StanFoster | Mar 18, 2006 02:43am | #24

            Chuck:   Its about 30 miles north of Champaign, Il.   My gyrocopter isa SparrowHawk...from AAI.

             

             

            Stan

          9. chuckkeller | Mar 18, 2006 03:54am | #26

            Stan,   I worked with a Div of Lear Jet out of Indy! Acft. sales and Mkting. Thought I recognized the terrain!  I love grass roots flying.  Please keep me posted on your progress.               Thank you, Chuck KellerIf, at first, you fricascee, fry, fry a hen!

          10. StanFoster | Mar 18, 2006 05:18am | #27

            Woodway:   Here is a picture you requested.

          11. DavidThomas | Mar 18, 2006 08:36am | #28

            "It has a good heater in it....hot water...like my other one. You can fly in shirt sleeves when its 0 out."Yeah, until you have an engine out for whatever reason. Then it gets dang cold, dang quickly. I realize that happens a lot less often with a 4-stroke, but still. . . keep a jacket and gloves within reach.
            David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

          12. stinky | Mar 18, 2006 02:02pm | #29

            Dawn and dusk flying in the gyrocoptor just has to be spectacular...I keep asking for more pics but iam flying in proxy. stinky

          13. StanFoster | Mar 18, 2006 02:04pm | #30

            David:   All I can say that if I do have an engine out...and I am stupid enough to be flying around without a coat when its cold...then I deserve to just about freeze to death.   <G>

             

             

            Stan

          14. Muttly | Apr 14, 2006 05:37pm | #31

            how close are you to the clouds?

             

          15. StanFoster | Apr 17, 2006 12:58am | #32

            Muttly:    I was maintaining the 500 below...1000 ft. above and 2000 ft. from.

             

            Stan

  5. riverman | Mar 15, 2006 09:40pm | #12

    Hey Stan My wife wants to know if you fly instruments have you ever flown a cello?

  6. JRuss | Mar 16, 2006 03:54am | #17

    Seems like only a few weeks ago we stopped by and you were certainly a long way from 5,400 feet.  Great goin, drop in on those boys over at Paxton and tell 'em, "How do you like me now?

    Never serious, but always right.
    1. StanFoster | Mar 16, 2006 04:47am | #20

      JRuss:    I sure enjoyed your visit that day.   I had a long ways to go on that gyro...but now its flying...and all systems are go.

       

      Stan

  7. woodway | Mar 18, 2006 02:52am | #25

    Maybe you've already put one up but what about a picture of this flying machine? Who manufactures it or who did you purchase the kit from?

  8. User avater
    Bluegillman | Apr 20, 2006 03:15am | #33

    Hi Stan, I was on the belly float fishing forum. Someone post a picture of a "better tube" and I thought of you and take a look this one:

    http://www.airscooter.com/.../airscooter_main.htm

    Kinda cool to take off in the driveway and land on a lake without having to drive there and start fishing!

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