NEW Web Site Is Up & Running!

Well, it is finally up and I love the newest look! That's right...The UPDATED HoneyBee G2 Website is up and running!  This time around we wanted a nice simple, clean look and I think that was achieved!  I also want to say a personal "Thank  You" to my friend Don who has done so much behind the scenes to help on the website.  Don has been instrumental on helping me clarify some of the purposes of the Blog vs. the role of the more technical and factual Web Pages at www.honeybeeg2.com.  This has been so good for me to consider how they are both tools, one for facts about us and the G2 and the other to communicate the day to day flying and direction we are going. I get into more of this on the new web site.

Thanks again Don for being a part of all that is going on here at HoneyBee G2!

Take care,

Jim

Rides At Bensen Days!

Good morning! 

I am really looking forward to the upcoming Spring Shows this year. What amazes me is that we are less than sixty (60) days from the 2012 Bensen Days Event and the days immediately afterward.

Many of you have already contacted me to get your name on the list for a ride in the HoneyBee G2 Tandem.  If you want to go for a ride but have not yet notified me,  please contact me soon at: Fly-A-G2@honeybeeg2.com or jim@honeybeeg2.com. 

When we fly together, please bring your camera(s) so we can make the most of the experience. We will be shooting lots of GoPro footage and between your camera and ours, there will be lots of new video coming after the show.

I look forward to "Beeing" together!

Jim

2012 HoneyBee G2 Show Schedule

Happy New Year! 

It is hard to believe that 2012 is here already!  Last Friday night  our staff had our 2011 Corporate Year End Dinner. We have a great, hard working staff and when we get together it is like a reunion with your best friends. This is the same group that many of you have met at the 2011 Summer Shows.  Well from all of us to all of you, Happy New Year!

In looking back at the "Post Title" the topic at hand is the 2012 Show Schedule.  We are going to be doing a number of things better and different this year. One major, major focus is Introduction Rides for those that are interested. As we get closer, I will be sure to send out more details relative to the shows, but for now this should allow you to get the dates on your schedule....

1. 2012 Bensen Days 
• March 21 - 25, 2012
• Wauchula, FL: We will be setting up flight operations here and flying all around Central Florida
• Rides: Schedule as soon as possible please. We already have people booking tickets to be at this event with us. 
• Flight Demonstrations and New Frames On Display
2. 2012 Sun-N-Fun
• March 27 - April 1, 2012
• We will continue our flight operations out of Wauchula, FL
• We will be flying into Lakeland during the open flying there.
• We hope to place a person in Chopper Town but only to schedule rides in Wauchula where we will be operating at Wauchula.  
• It is easier to find us and go for a ride with us in Wauchula than it is to find us at Chopper Town at Lakeland!
3. Rotors Over The Rockies
• June 7 - 9, 2012
• Rides & Flight Demonstrations and New Frames On Display
4. 2012 AirVenture at Oshkosh, WI
• July 23 - 29, 2012
• Rides & Flight Demonstrations (Rides at Fond du Lac, WI)
• Frames On Display: We begin to pull out the newest stuff!
5. 2012 Popular Rotorcraft Association at Menton, IN 
• July 31 - August 4, 2012
• Rides & Flight Demonstrations 
• We begin to pull out the newest stuff!

Want to get on the flight schedule? Just Email Fly-A-G2@honeybeeg2.com today!

I can't wait to see you at one of these shows and fly together!

Take care,

Jim

Gyroplane Training Centers International, LLC

Bee encouraged!  As committed as HoneyBee G2, LLC is to "Building The "Safest Gyroplanes In The World", we are equally as committed to training.....

Stay Tuned!
Jim

George Is Right!

Good Morning! 

Now that it is cold here in Hastings (though not to cold to fly yet!) building and shipping is really the bulk of what is going on around "Suite B".  For me personally, this has provided time to  deepen our corporate relationships with customers, suppliers and those working on our 2012 new products that will be released at the Spring and Summer shows. 

As part of my efforts, I get to see first-hand the new components (new and professionally  engineered components) that are in the Revision "C" platforms.  Virtually all of the "C" efforts are resident in every part of our line. The part shown to the right is one of those "C" revision components on all of our line. This "revised" pre-rotator gear ring has an improved and higher ratio, an improved bevel for smoother Bendix engagement and believe or not is stronger and LIGHTER than the previous gear ring!  Designing and cutting our own gears allows us to be  flexible and innovative; a goal for everything we do.

For those of you who purchase a suit once in awhile, you have undoubtly been exposed to the words and works of Mr. George Zimmer, President/CEO of Men's Warehouse.  He makes this statement about the experience of purchasing a suit from his organization. He states, "You are going to like the way you look. I guarantee it".  I have purchased several suits from George and he was right.  Good value, great look and a great experience.  What more could you ask for?

As President/CEO of HoneyBee G2, LLC (a wonderful little Gyroplane company located in Hastings, MI) I feel the same way as George Zimmer about this company. You are going to love the new "Revision C" Ultralights (Not a winker either!), the MicroLight, the Single Place-High Performance and the Two Place Tandem....and the way you look in them!  On behalf of this company, you have our Team's full commitment to build the safest, highest value line of Gyroplanes in the world.  With that said, you are going to "love" the newest G2's!

I guarantee it!

Jim


Jim Fields
President/CEO
HoneyBee G2, LLC

More On Revision "C"

Good Morning! 

A couple of days ago I wrote about some of the details for the Revision "C" Frames, well there is more.... Revision "C" Frames are the first frames that have had the flat stock portions of the airframes cut with a "laser" process. Historically, we have used water jet as the primary machining method on flat stock with a few exceptions for parts that needed to be cut in a standard 3 axis mill; high stress area parts. 

Water jetting, though great for many applications, leaves fine "stress risers" in the actual cut that has to be polished out or in the case of holes have to be subsequently precision reamed to final size.  The holes were really not the problem because there is usually an AN Bolt associated with all 3/16" - 1/2" holes.  The real problem that we were faced with were the edges of the parts.  The difficulty is when you are left with an edge that now has to be "healed/polished" to remove the stress risers left in the actual edge of the part.  The laser process has totally eliminated this issue and provides the look, fit and finish the G2's are known for. Categorically, the solution to the  "edge" specification problem has now and forever more been addressed. 

Now you can really "C" the quality....

Have a great weekend!

Jim

Revision "C"

Good afternoon! I trust you had a great Thanksgiving Holiday...Louanne and I sure did!  

Today I want to write about what we affectionately refer to as "Revision C" Frames. These are the frames that have received all of the attention for being easy to build, lighter by around 75 pounds and generally what will serve as the "final" of the basic HoneyBee G2 "open frame" line. 

In trying to explain what this means, sometimes a "revision" is something as simple as a larger radius on a part that makes assembly easier. Other times it is a "revision" from a load path review of a particular part that can be either lightened or changed to address the real need of the location. Sometimes it is a "revision" that is not a problem at all but rather a way to save weight. In the case of the part shown, this simple through hole on the CNC Lathe cuts weight by a couple more ounces and eliminates an area that could "over the course of time" trap dirt or debris; creating a corrosion area later.  In the case of this part, with a full enclosure, it will be somewhat hard to see and inspect making it more important over the life of the airframe.  It pays to sweat the details.... You know that feeling you get when you seen something that immediately strikes you as being well thought out when you first see it? That's exactly the feeling I had when I saw this part. I have to give the credit to Jeremy (Aeronautical Engineer Extraordinaire) who I trust explicitly when it comes to making engineering decisions; simple to the most complex of engineering decisions. He is brilliant at new product design and it shows. Wait until you see the "Revision C" Frames; they are by far the best of the frames that we have built.  Can't wait to show them to you at the shows!

Having a blast!

Jim

Welcome Dave Yant!

Doesn't Dave Look Good In PINK...

HoneyBee G2 is thrilled that Dave Yant has joined our Team!

Dave brings a great background of rotorcraft & aviation experience to our Team and it is great to have him on-board. His role will oversee all manufacturing, kit shipments and builder completions.  His role with HoneyBee G2 will even extend to oversight into the world of Gyroplane Training Centers International beginning in the Spring.  

Dave is not only a great rotorcraft mechanic but of equal importance to our Team is that he flies gyroplanes!  He got his start flying gyroplanes with one of the last G1's that were built in 2000.  In fact, that is how I met Dave in 2008.  I got a call from a college buddy (Dan Dantema) who invited me to come to Pinconning, MI and do a flight demonstration in one of the club members (Dave Yant's) original HoneyBee Gyros, a G1. I gladly accepted the opportunity and a little over three years later, Dave is here and on staff with HoneyBee G2!  Check out Dave's background.....

As a Helicopter A & P Mechanic...                                                                                                                           

• He performed overhaul inspections and upkeep on a fleet of  Bell helicopters under Part 135 Operations including remote field bases. He coordinated field aircraft repairs & part requirements and assisted in strict fleet maintenance schedules for each aircraft.
• As part of this, he documented all maintenance and repairs made to each aircraft providing a detailed history of all activities performed to each aircraft.

Dave is just what we needed!

As I have mentioned to you before, the best way to make a friend for life is to fly gyroplanes together. Dave is one of those guys that I just love being with....I can't wait for you to meet him. 

Welcome aboard Dave!  

Jim

Happy Thanksgiving To One & All!

Good afternoon!  

As the work week comes to a close, I wanted to wish all of you "Happy Thanksgiving"!  

It is hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving again. What is even harder to believe is that our staff is already working on the 2012 Spring (Bensen Days) and Summer (EAA/PRA) Shows.  A couple of days after these events are over and it will be Thanksgiving again. Isn't it funny how the days fly by when you love what you do.

Take time to "bee" with your families!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jim

Ultralight HoneyBee G2: UPDATE

New UL Owner!

Good morning to all you Ultralight Gyroplane fans!

As you might expect, the statistics of this blog have consistently shown that the HoneyBee G2 Ultralight is a major favorite globally.  There are as many people following my posts on the UL as there for the Two Place Tandem.  

The challenge of creating a "great" (not just okay or good) flying UL Gyroplane is to make it safe and easy to fly. On top of this, it has to perform well.  That's exactly what we have done!  

I recently flew our UL and it is exactly what we want it to be.  The 202 performed flawlessly!  

Here are a few of the upgrades that are currently on our Ultralight HoneyBee G2 Gyroplane. 

1. Engine: The original engine was an MZ 201. This is a great engine but it did not provide us with the performance profile that we were looking for. The UL engine been upgraded to the MZ 202. WOW! What a difference that made.  
2. Plating: Jeremy did a  full review of loads and load paths which has allowed us to reduce the plating layouts in about 3/4 of the airframe. Since the UL was a downstream "child" from our heavier Single Place Frames, it is no wonder that the UL was overbuilt. We now have doublers where we need them and light plating where we don't.
3. New Tail: The new, carbon fiber-composite tail with an ultra simple hinging system saves us 13 pounds.
4. Wheels: The light weight, Azusa Light/wheels/tires saved us 6 pounds!
5. Rotor Head: Back in 1998, I designed our G1 Rotor Head; it is now standard on the UL.
6. Brakes: Nose wheel and Rotor Head brakes are both Hydraulic units and work great
7. Pre-rotator: Soft Start is standard
8. Panel: Grand Rapids Technology is standard with Rotor Tachometer....and more! 

Could this be a fully enclosed UL?

After flying (and lovin' it!) the one in the pictures for a couple of days, it was finally time to pack it up and send it home.  Our staff fell in love with this little UL so much that we decided to build one for "our own use" so that we can keep it around for awhile.

Boy oh boy, do I love flying UL's!

Jim