It's not much of a "secret". It's been that way since I got into ULs in 1988. My N3-Pup was legal with a ballistic chute, powered by a 1/2 VW 4 stroke. It was a real dog. Fun to fly though. Later, my 503 powered Hytek Hurricane was a little heavy and had a 6 gal fuel tank, which was, imo, a good power to weight combo. I flew to more than a few fly-ins where FAA guys would be spotted from time to time, and never once did they pay any attention to a single seat UL. Of course, that doesn't mean they wouldn't, if someone gave them a reason. Having said all that, I would stay with all training needed to get your sport pilot lic. As I mentioned, if your buddy feels your airframe can easily handle the 582s power and added weight... it should be a very nice mix. The added weight helps ULs be slightly more stable in choppy air too. The extra power should allow you to dial back the throttle for a quieter ride. Small wing tanks might even be possible (3 gal ea) for addition range.
I actually have two ultralights now, a Kolb Ultrastar (which is part 103 compliant) with a Kawasaki 440, and a Butterfly Ultralight gyroplane which was originally part 103 compliant with its smaller diameter rotor, narrower landing gear and air cooled MZ202 engine. It’s the Butterfly gyro I’ve modified and upgraded to a Rotax 582 with b gearbox and a 24’ rotor. I do have two “back up” engines I’ve gotten by horsetrading, a currently running Rotax 447 with GLP electric start and b gearbox, and a Rotax 503 that hasn’t run since 2008, with e gearbox and Rotax electric start. I’m going to put that e gearbox with electric start on my 582 and I’ll probably resell the 503 with the b gearbox off my 582. Eventually I’ll put the 447 on the Kolb.
Not yet, and I’ve never flown in one yet, but I will get the proper training before I do fly mine. I’m currently driving out to Mentone Indiana for the annual national gyroplane organizations’s convention and fly in, and I’ll get to ride along in several different types. I’m going up in this one on Monday: And I’ll be going up in one like this later in the week:
That looks like fun. Any chance you've been up in a powered parachute? IMO, in terms of safety, PPCs have quite a track record. Using a ram air parachute as the wing, it's engine out possibilities become non events, in most cases. Wind, water and obstacles being the deciding factor, and that's all up to the pilot's choices of when & where to fly. As I got older, I found them to be far more relaxing to fly, than fixed wings. (no airspeed to manage) The ultimate stable camera platform. Steer with your feet. They cruise between 26-35 mph. Ease of piloting and constant airspeed. Pack up the chute, load on a trailer, and head home. Sport pilot has let the PPC evolve into much more dependability (912 four stroke engines), heavier airframes (adds stability), lots of bells and whistles... a company called Powrachute has become the one to check out. Chute manufacturers have also evolved creating a variety of wings. Performance Designs has been a top sky diving company and added their PPC division way back around 1990 I guess. Lots of experience. Just wondering, where you have lots of aviation enthusiasm. Home - Powrachute
For some reason they never interested me to be honest. I think because they require calm conditions. Where I live it’s a wide part of the Shenandoah Valley but the mountains between us a West Virginia are just three miles away. We have a lot of wind. Gyroplanes can be flown when many fixed wing craft are grounded. I’ve witnessed one being flown in 40mph winds, and the pilot purposely goes up when the winds increase. For calmer days I have the Kolb now.
I’m out in Mentone Indiana for the annual PRA (Popular Rotorcraft Association) convention and fly in and I finally got in my first flight in a gyroplane. I had a half hour flight in a Magni M24 and the owner, a gyro CFI, let me take the controls for the majority of our time aloft:
Fun stuff. Nice aircraft. I'm guessing, because of your enthusiasm of ULs, you liked the open air tandem best? Nothing quite like that wide open feel.
What is the typical max airspeed of a gyro? Cruise speed? I can remember way back in the 80s and 90s, watching gyros take off without pre-rotors... what a difference that development made.
Typical cruise speeds vary from 55 to 75kts and max speed from 80 to 120kts. The newer enclosed styles are faster; gyros have a lot of drag, more than fixed wing or helicopters
I eventually found that info. Because I've never really considered gyros, I've been watching a few of Capt Ron's videos, talking do's and don'ts on gyro piloting. He seems very knowledgeable. Enjoyed his attitude on instructing. Can never learn too much, when it comes to flying. How is your flight instruction going? How do you like it?
The flight instruction in the 172 has been great. My CFI said I’ve learned more in a shorter period of time than any student they had instructed so far. I would have had to finish my sport pilot certificate in an LSA but with the passage of MOSAIC last month I can complete it in the 172. Ground school isn’t easy for my addled old brain though, especially since I’ve had strokes and now have ADD as a result.
Good job in the 172! And super good that your friend will inspect and solo your Kolb before you do, and give you transition info that will be very helpful. That's a win win. If you decide to fly your gyro later... really hope there might be a gyro instructor close enough to keep you out of trouble in the beginning? That would be great, if one was available. I enjoyed learning a bit about them. I will say this about anyone out there promoting gyros as being the best type to be flying in high winds... it's absolute BS. Wind is wind, and it's way less than fun fighting the controls to stay level in any UL. In all fairness, there are vids of aerobatics with every type of UL. And all have a few experienced pilots who love to show off, trying to spread the idea that anyone can do it... especially if they're trying to sell you a UL. Don't fall for any of it. Gravity is gravity, and when it comes to flying, it wants to end the fun. I've seen it more than once. Back in the 80s, I watched a guy at Sun N Fun, who was a sales rep for the fixed wing UL his company was selling. He got crazy flying too low and eventually stuffed it right in front of the crowd. It was ugly. My background in ULs was before Sport Pilot btw, and instructing folks was a passion... eventually becoming an instructor examiner. More flight training was sorely needed back then across the US, and SP was the predictable results... and very glad it finally happened. Our flight school, in the fall of 2001... so many memories.
I bet you've got more than a few "moments" in those crazy valleys on windy days. Hope you and Allen are doing well...
