One question, why every time I see someone flying a Rotorway the amount of inputs in the cyclic are so much ? Is like you have to work the cyclic constantly through the flight, I had flown helicopters, including the Hughes 300, and I had never experienced this on the controls .
It's because often rotorway pilots are lower time. Lower time pilots tend to fly like that as opposed to maintaining the sweet spot and moving the cyclic less. For a low time pilot it feels like you're contantly battling to keep the aircraft flying nice and accurately - it's always trying to get away from you. As the hours rack up it becomes second nature and you think about it less. These are his first solos circuits but you can see he's improving a lot. Those are nice controlled approaches, and it didn't look like he was busting his vertical speed limits. There are so many things to watch at the same time when flying a helicopter, it's very demanding. I always used to be in a puddle of sweat when I was shut down! The other reason is the Rotorway doesn't have a force trim which makes it easier to keep the cyclic in a consistant position.
Because the cyclic travel to pitch output is much more limited in the rotorway, nearly twice the movement for the same reaction in other small helicopters. This makes it easier to hover stable but requires more drastic movements and you'd hit the stops sooner (not that you would or should in normal flight, it's just for reference), resulting in less overall authority. Safety wise, this is good for inexperienced pilots and you're less likely to inadvertently mast bump or chop your tail boom off. Low G pushover's are still not good in any teetering system. At the same time, it's much more dangerous hovering in tail winds and requires the use of a ballast weight to maintain a proper CG, as it is even more important due to this limited authority.
@@Jameswrightdavid Just saw this comment. Thanks so much James for the kind words! And your description was exactly right, that was for sure my green nature showing here, and it's been getting better ever since. It was a little cooler out that day, so I wasn't a puddle of sweat, but the exhale at the end indicates just how tense I was that whole time! I'd like to think that by the time I did the other video of my first solo cross country, things had relaxed a whole lot.
You'll make it a lot easier on yourself if you rest your right forearm on top of your right thigh and control the cyclic with your fingertips. Get rid of the gloves (unless it's cold) so you'll have a lot better tactile feel of the cyclic. It's a nice looking ship and I hope you have a blast with it!
So I assume u bough this rotor way to learn to fly in? If so what’s your opinion on this approach? I’m a fixed wing pilot and certified aircraft mechanic, things about doing this path to obtain my rotor
That's a "me" problem. Very first time and I was shakey and nervous I believe. I've noticed myself dialing that in since posting this. Like I said in the description, lots of firsts! Go easy on me! :-)
Thanks!! It's been flown by a few instructors at this point who have said it feels good. I didn't have a basis to compare to until then, so I trust them. I'm learning!
It's a 26' V-nose, with 9'6" interior height. With that length, the helicopter fits inside with the blades on it with only about 3" to spare. I remove blades for travel, but leave them on, of course, for storage.
@@BrokenCRJ Yep! It's a fully mobile hangar, really. I don't rent a hangar at the airport or have anything big enough on my property to store it in, so this is where it lives. It also works very well for when I travel with it to gatherings and such.
Good job on all of those "firsts" but, you're gonna wear out your arm with the jerky movements of the cyclic. That's a sign of "Over Controlling". Gentle movement - Just think what you're going to do and the helicopter will move. Think a right turn, it will start turning right as your hand makes a gentle move to the right. It ain't gonna be perfect the first time....Don't strive for perfection - yet! It will come to you the more you do it!
Well done! Your flying is improving a lot! Beautiful aircraft! One of the best examples I've seen!
Thanks so much, that's very high praise! :-)
I still definitely have a ways to go. Getting more practice all the time though.
When holding short you want to make sure no part of your aircraft is crossing the hold short line, including the rotors. Awesome heli, man!
great job Adam!!! Hoping to see more of these.
Great to see videos like this. I'm sure i speak for most when saying we hope you continue adding content on your journey.
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm actually uploading a shorter video today, should be up very soon.
Great job sir! Very impressed with your first solo!
Excellent, waiting on more , good 👍 luck 🍀 and beautiful aircraft.
Thanks so much! Should be more coming for sure!
One question, why every time I see someone flying a Rotorway the amount of inputs in the cyclic are so much ? Is like you have to work the cyclic constantly through the flight, I had flown helicopters, including the Hughes 300, and I had never experienced this on the controls .
It's because often rotorway pilots are lower time. Lower time pilots tend to fly like that as opposed to maintaining the sweet spot and moving the cyclic less. For a low time pilot it feels like you're contantly battling to keep the aircraft flying nice and accurately - it's always trying to get away from you. As the hours rack up it becomes second nature and you think about it less.
These are his first solos circuits but you can see he's improving a lot. Those are nice controlled approaches, and it didn't look like he was busting his vertical speed limits. There are so many things to watch at the same time when flying a helicopter, it's very demanding. I always used to be in a puddle of sweat when I was shut down!
The other reason is the Rotorway doesn't have a force trim which makes it easier to keep the cyclic in a consistant position.
Because the cyclic travel to pitch output is much more limited in the rotorway, nearly twice the movement for the same reaction in other small helicopters. This makes it easier to hover stable but requires more drastic movements and you'd hit the stops sooner (not that you would or should in normal flight, it's just for reference), resulting in less overall authority. Safety wise, this is good for inexperienced pilots and you're less likely to inadvertently mast bump or chop your tail boom off. Low G pushover's are still not good in any teetering system. At the same time, it's much more dangerous hovering in tail winds and requires the use of a ballast weight to maintain a proper CG, as it is even more important due to this limited authority.
Thanks 🙏, to both of you guys for letting me know!
@@Jameswrightdavid Just saw this comment. Thanks so much James for the kind words! And your description was exactly right, that was for sure my green nature showing here, and it's been getting better ever since. It was a little cooler out that day, so I wasn't a puddle of sweat, but the exhale at the end indicates just how tense I was that whole time!
I'd like to think that by the time I did the other video of my first solo cross country, things had relaxed a whole lot.
Definitely has longer travel in cyclic compared to say r22 or cabri
Thanks for the ride Adam.......love the turbine power. God bless ya
Thanks so much! Thanks for watching!
@@Aerohead You bet. Anytime you post my friend. It's a sweet bird.
You'll make it a lot easier on yourself if you rest your right forearm on top of your right thigh and control the cyclic with your fingertips. Get rid of the gloves (unless it's cold) so you'll have a lot better tactile feel of the cyclic. It's a nice looking ship and I hope you have a blast with it!
Way to go Adam! Great job
Go Adam, tell my brother I said hi when you see him! Good work my friend!
Thanks Brad, will do! We're also planning a NorthEast Gathering in the fall, you should come up and visit!
@@Aerohead Absolutely, please lmk when I'll come up w/ my build. Thanks Adam
Glad to see you got the bugs worked out !
Only an experimental builder knows that feeling (pucker) of those first few flights.
It's a completely unique experience!
how much is Avgas per gallon ?thx
So I assume u bough this rotor way to learn to fly in? If so what’s your opinion on this approach? I’m a fixed wing pilot and certified aircraft mechanic, things about doing this path to obtain my rotor
Nope, actually I built it over the last 8 years. Was in it for the whole build+fly experience!
@@Aerohead that’s awesome! Are u learning to fly in it, or did u already have your license ?
@@hansenfuentes3541 Learning to fly in it! Just about ready for my check ride, hopefully in a couple months.
@@Aerohead right on! Good luck man
Why so much cyclic motion? Plate issues? Wrong stick length? Poor mounting? It seems excessive.
That's a "me" problem. Very first time and I was shakey and nervous I believe. I've noticed myself dialing that in since posting this.
Like I said in the description, lots of firsts! Go easy on me! :-)
@@Aerohead : Awesome! Just wasn't sure if it was the ship or not. Keep flying! 🚁
Thanks!! It's been flown by a few instructors at this point who have said it feels good. I didn't have a basis to compare to until then, so I trust them. I'm learning!
What size trailer do you use?
It's a 26' V-nose, with 9'6" interior height. With that length, the helicopter fits inside with the blades on it with only about 3" to spare. I remove blades for travel, but leave them on, of course, for storage.
@@Aerohead thank you. I didn’t think about a little bigger one for “storage”.
@@BrokenCRJ Yep! It's a fully mobile hangar, really. I don't rent a hangar at the airport or have anything big enough on my property to store it in, so this is where it lives. It also works very well for when I travel with it to gatherings and such.
Good job on all of those "firsts" but, you're gonna wear out your arm with the jerky movements of the cyclic. That's a sign of "Over Controlling". Gentle movement - Just think what you're going to do and the helicopter will move. Think a right turn, it will start turning right as your hand makes a gentle move to the right. It ain't gonna be perfect the first time....Don't strive for perfection - yet! It will come to you the more you do it!
💕💕💘💘❤❤