Two-Place Tandem Update (5-15-11)

Happy Sunday Morning! It is raining in Hastings, Michigan, USA and it is not a day for flying. The ceilings are low, my Google Gadget for weather says it is 44 degrees and it is raining (for the last 24 hours) in fact... getting the rest of our April showers in May I suppose.  

This morning I want to communicate some of the performance data learned over the last couple of weeks.  Given that context, here is a summary... 

1. The Suzuki 1.3L is a marvelous little engine for a 90 HP package. It is propelling the 969#'s through the air as we hoped but could we be in the hunt for more horsepower?
2. The fuel use in our application is higher than what we were hoping for. Right now....
• 3.125 GPH at 4,300 RPM's/True to original fuel use figures on the Suzuki. At this RPM, the aircraft will barely hold altitude. 4.5 GPH at 4,700 RPM's at 45 MPH, 5.0 GPH at 5,000 RPM's at 50 MPH, 5.5 GPH at 5,300 RPM's at 55 MPH, 6.0 GPH at 5,500 RPM's at 60 MPH, 6.5 GPH at 5,800 RPM's which will yield about 65 MPH, Redline is 6,500 RPM's
3. Operating Speeds (for the current configuration)
• Take Off at 35 MPH, you can make a soft field takeoff at 25 MPH
• Cruise Speed: In the open frame, I like to cruise at 50 - 55. It goes faster but so does the fuel gauge
• Landing: All pattern work to Final @ 50 - 55 MPH
• Final Approach:  45 MPH at the turn, 35 MPH over the numbers
• Touchdown: 25 MPH
• Vertical: 0 MPH, simple straight forward recovery
4. Flight times: Normal 2.0 hours...Up to 2.5 hours

The HoneyBee G2™ Two-Place Tandem is absolutely flying wonderfully. It is very forgiving in the pitch axis and roll axis, pitch dampening is even better than the computer programs  said it would be.  The Moving Mast offers a huge CG solution.  Within a "hang setting" the aircraft is very generous at the calculated CG settings.  The frame is demonstrating that it is  capable of carrying much more weight in the front seat; we are still on track for 300 - 350#'s in the front seat! 

Committed to building the safest Gyroplanes in the World!

Take care,

Jim