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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Engine Oil Pump Vs. Oil Mixing



Great Question From Bob...

Hi Bob!

The MZ 202 is a 50/1 gas to oil mix. In other words, 50 ounces of gas to 1 ounce of oil. The net of that is 13 ounces of oil for 5 gallons of gas. Simple once you have done it a few times.

Currently there aren’t any engines available on the market (that will work for us) that have an automatic oil mixing system.  When we used to purchase (back in the late 1990's) ROTAX 447 & 503 engines with oil pumps, guys would take the pumps off and go with Premixing their gas for assurance that it was being done right. 
I have had it both ways (including years of riding   dirt bikes with and without pumps) and I prefer mixing the gas and oil myself.  If I do it, I know that it has been done correctly; I have never had a problem premixing.  On the other hand, I have seized engines (on my dirt bikes/CAN-AM MX2 250cc) with oil an pump because the material in the filter broke down and clogged the oil line to the pump thus starving my  engine of the necessary oil it needed. When the happened, it didn't just seize, it welded..... When it comes to flying, my preference is to premix….

Hope that helps!


Friday, May 11, 2012

Folding Mast Update!


Good morning!


My post this morning is to let you see first hand how the "Folding Mast" is progressing.  It is moving forward just beautifully. This picture shows how it will look and function.  In a folded position, the Mast is below 96" in total height!  

Just think of all the possibilities that a 2PT that is under 8' in height could do for portability and storing. 

Taking care of the details!


  

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Update!

Busy day here for sure... Reasonably good weather but there is no time for flying today! Maybe tomorrow!  I dropped this picture into this post to remind us (and everyone else) why all of us here are working so hard --everyday-- to make a difference in the world of Gyroplanes.  I believe with all of my heart that the HoneyBee G2 Project is worth every ounce of energy that is being poured into it! Every ounce!


With that said...I just wanted to send a quick note to share with you that those that are running the survey are gleaning tons of great information on safety issues.  Specifically, the information is pertinent to Part 103 Ultralight Gyroplanes operations but on a broader sense Gyroplanes at large.   

As a point of clarity, for those that are hesitant to put in the name of the "pilot", just leave the field blank.  I know that the inclusion of the field was intended to give credibility to the reported incident. All that the survey is trying to do is understand what has happened out here in the world of Light Weight Gyroplane operations. No one is going to call or prosecute anyone for flying without a much needed safety item.  I can't speak for all of the FSDO's in the US market, but the Grand Rapids (MI) FSDO has been enormously helpful to anyone  trying to understand the requirements for safe flight.  I still refer to them as "Friends And Allies"; there is no animosity here; these are great people.

One other point that needs clarification, yes you can go on the site (Click Here To Participate:  ASC Light-Weight Gyroplane Survey) and fill out as many surveys as you can legitimately recall.  Maybe this isn't the most "scientific" way to do this, but so much has happened that keeping it "buried and not discussed" has hurt all of us and your help is needed to do it right. We have to approach the issues differently than we have in the past. If we always do what we have always done, we will always get what we have always got. 


As a supporter of this survey, Thank you for doing your part to make a difference!




Wisdom comes from understanding,
Change comes from wisdom!









Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Survey Feedback!

Good afternoon! 


I just wanted to send out a quick note to all of you that have responded to the "Formal Safety Survey: Part 103/Lightweight Gyroplanes" at SurveyMonkey.com!  I am getting a ton of positive feedback via email for officially as a company supporting this survey!  I am being told that many of you have participated and that the information is going to be very helpful.  It will help everyone better understand  your interest in flying safely; especially in Part 103 Ultralight Gyroplanes.  

If you have not yet submitted your information, please do so soon and join those that are committed to make a difference. 

Last but not least, thank you to Jim & ASC!

Sincerely,




Monday, May 7, 2012

Formal Safety Survey: Part 103/Lightweight Gyroplanes

Good morning! 

For those of you that know me, know that I am committed to the development of safe Gyroplanes, specifically the HoneyBee G2 Line of Gyroplanes. In this group that knows me, some I have met at airshows, some I have met in the back seat of a quick flight, some I have flown with while others have played roles with me on design projects.  Yet there are others that know me from my historical association with national and international groups. I tell you this because in all of my history of developing safe Gyroplanes for commercial and consumer markets there are a handful of people that I know well and look to as a model for character and professionalism.  One such person is Jim Stephenson, President of Aero Sports Connection. I have known Jim since 1998; he is a Champion of our sport and a quality guy who has the best interest of all light aircraft, specifically Part 103. 

With this introduction, I want to personally invite each of you to participate in this AERO SPORTS CONNECTION survey  Unlike most surveys, this particular one allows you to submit more than one survey.  I have a list of  ten situations that I will submit in this survey in which safety concerns existed. If there are enough submissions, it will make a huge difference for Part 103 Gyroplane operations. 

For the record, I have been told by some people that "I am wasting my time" supporting such efforts or that "I am opening a can of worms". When it comes to safety, it is not a waste of my time nor is it something that needs to be forgotten, no matter how difficult the topic may be.  

Will you do your part in making the sport safer? If so, please click on the link below and do what you can to "officially" participate in making a difference for the sake of safety issues in regard to Gyroplanes. 

Click This Link To Participate:  ASC Light-Weight Gyroplane Survey

I formally want to thank Jim Stephenson for his vision for better and safer aircraft; in this case the wonderful Part 103 Gyroplane! Thank you Jim for not hiding you head in the sand and doing something formally to make a difference!

Thanks for caring!




Friday, May 4, 2012

Moving Mast Improvements: Thank you John!

Good Morning! 

For those of you who have flown with me (Hastings or 2012 Bensen Days) know what I am talking about when I change the Center of Gravity of the HoneyBee G2 2PT while flying.  It is an incredibly innovative feature on the 2PT.

Our Team (in this case John Welt, AKA "Boy Genius") continues to improve on the G2 Line.  I took this picture this morning to show you two areas with "improvements" on this portion of the design.  The first area is an improved stand-off mount for the strobe that makes the bulb less prone to  harmonics from the rotor system giving you longer bulb life. The second improvement is a better "cable track mounting system". This  improvement allows for better centering and alignment of the wires for the "Moving Mast" as it moves along its 12" range of motion in flight.    Now that G2 Fans is innovation! 

I am really pleased with the appearance and function of both items.  These sort of things  happen every day when Team Members take ownership and pride in what is going on at  HoneyBee G2, LLC.  Innovation is our foundation! It is who we are. Just wait until you see what's coming! 


A Member of the most "Innovative Team" in the World,


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Google Language Tools Added To Blog Spot!

Good morning to all Of You!.... From all over the world!!! This time in your own language!

As some of you may have seen by now, the Google Translation Tools have been added to the sight meaning it should make it easier to follow the life and times of the HoneyBee G2 Project!

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Welcome Don Vander Wall!

Good Morning!

For those that were at Bensen Days this Spring, you may remember a spry older guy about my age that was sort of in charge of getting riders to the G2 Tandem. His name was Don Vander Wall and I am pleased to announce that Don has officially joined the HoneyBee G2 Team. Like everyone at HBG2, Don is currently getting the Baptism Of The HoneyBee G2.  This really means Don is building frames, meeting suppliers, running errands, drilling holes, driving the Chick Magnet and last but not least, learning to fly G2's!  Don is a Private Pilot so he comes with a great foundation and flight experience. Don is a great asset to the G2 Team. 

One of the projects Don will be involved as the "primary builder for a G2 Microlight over the next couple of weeks.  This aircraft will also be used for staff training and time building.  More than likely, I will even get to fly it!  As part of our staff, Don will eventually get signed off for solo flight in it and will be part of getting the aircraft through Phase I Flight Testing.  One thing that Don has to look forward to doing is flying the MicroLight back and forth from Hastings to his home field which is exactly 25 miles away!  Don gets to build time and experience while helping us fly off the required 40 hours of flight time for this aircraft. What a blast that will Bee!

Welcome to the Team Don!