The 2.21 Ratio Drive!!!

Hello Race Fans! 

The "jury" just returned on the 2.21 Ratio Drive on the 2.4L and I love it....but there is one more round to go.  I have been flying N421RB solo and with as much as 335 pounds in passenger and fuel. It is still climbing between 900 - 1200 FPM and believe it or not is faster at the same time.  It has been a blast!  We have been doing some Ultralight/Microlight training profiles at 4000 - 4300 RPM's. That means that the 2PT with full fuel and two people on board is using less fuel per hour than our MZ 202 powered Ultralight or Microlight! Wow, what a great gyroplane!

Over the next couple of weeks I will be flying a 2.34 ratio drive on a Revision "C" airframe. Roughly 75 pounds lighter, turning the same propeller slightly slower should produce a crazy rate of climb and a slightly slower cruise.  FYI....This particular frame will be stationed at 6,000' and a great climb will be a wonderful asset.  Either way, I am loving the Revision "C" airframes......

Wait a minute, what is that in the background....could it be another Pink Gyro? Wait 'til Bensen Days!

Take care,

PS: Have a great weekend!

Ben Hunderman Gives His Thoughts On The G2!

Jim,

Thanks again for the ride!  

It is hard to describe the experience of flying in the new Two Place HoneyBee G2.  You guys  have completely outdone yourselves on this aircraft.  I was so impressed by its rock solid nature, especially on takeoffs and climbing out. I was also impressed by how how  smooth it was  in cruise.  It really IS the ultimate machine with  power to spare and the agility of a sports car!  You don't have to fly this Gyroplane very long to fall in love with it. 

Sincerely,

Ben

John Roscoe & His Impression Of the G2 Tandem....

Sunday was a beautifully clear and crisp 32 degree Michigan winter day in Hastings specifically. The HoneyBee G2 2-place gyro sat quietly alone outside of the hangar as I parked the car for my encounter with it and in anticipation of meeting Jim for the first time. My initial impression before meeting anyone as I examined the machine was that it was the most solidly built I had seen. Sturdy, clean and well thought out crossed my mind as I grabbed it "for a shake" .. sorta like "kicking' the tires" on a new car. After a quick phone call to Jim announcing my arrival, Dave emerged from the hangar and directed me to the nearest "pit stop" (bathroom) as I had just completed a 2 1/2 hr drive from Indiana. Ya know .. "First things first" !

Soon thereafter, Jim with his friendly smile and warm greeting welcomed me to Hastings. We had a lively discussion before the flight but the next order of business was to "get warm" as an open cockpit at 75 MPH today could be a challenge. But to my surprise it was not. In addition to the long johns that I grabbed from my car and quickly put on, I was surprised to be fitted with electrically powered socks, gloves and vest all of which prove quite "toasty" as we prepared to take to the air.

Jim and I had talked by phone for the past several months. But now was time for "Let's do it" and DO IT we DID !  As we taxied to the run way I appreciated Jim's enthusiasm to teach me and specifically address issues of safety even during this "initial" phase of flight. As we gently lifted off at 35 MPH I remember how smooth it all felt. I admitted later that the during the first 20 secs into the flight I closed my eyes a few times. You see despite my 1,000 hrs as a private pilot with an instrument rating, I am STILL afraid of heights .. when out in the open .. not when enclosed. But that quickly passed.

And .. out in the open WE WERE !  First at 1500 feet then soon much lower chasing tree lines, spotting 8-10 deer and then running with a coyote along a farm field about 300 feet below. WOW what a remarkable experience. It felt like flying a motorcycle in the air ! The gyro was nimble, responsive and a delight to fly. After a quick pointer from Jim, my tendency to chase altitude was soon remedied. I especially noticed The LACK of "stick shake" that was a common experience in other gyros I had flown. Also, his demonstration of power off spot landings was fascinating in seeing how little room is needed for return to ground. It was amazing to see how quickly an hour went by.

Back in the hangar now, Jim "still at his self-admitted age of 18" meticulously and passionately described the thought about design and safety that he has incorporated in to the HoneyBee line since inception. I was delighted with the discussion as I am a curious guy. Both he and Dave made the welcome feel like "family". Leaving, I looked at the clock .. 4 hrs since I had arrived seemed like just "2" ! The memories of the day made the 2 1/2 hr return to Indiana "easy". 

HoneyBee G2, check them out you'll be glad you did !

John Roscoe

Valparaiso, Indiana

New Page On This Blog

Just an FYI....


Please check out the newest page here on the Blog.... Click here to see more!

The 2012 Winter Flying Hall Of Fame!

Good Morning! 


It has been a beautiful week for flying in Michigan. By the end of the week, there will have been six to eight guys that have flown with me. 


My purpose in writing this morning is to prepare the ones that are coming over the next couple of weeks to fly with me.  The G2 will do a great job of providing the electrical power with its 140 amp alternator to keep you warm.  We will provide you with electric gloves,  electric "over-socks" and an electric vest. You  even get your own thermostat. We are using Lynx Helmets and headsets so don't worry about bringing your headsets.  

The slightly more personal items that you may want to bring with you are: Warm boots, coats and pants.  The back seat is significantly warmer than the front seat so staying warm is much easier.  

Last night Ben and I took off out of Hastings and within five minutes Ben starting spotting deer, all over the place! We flew over to my home town of Middleville, buzzed one of his buddy's and then raced home to beat the rain that was coming. We lost....

In spite of the cold, we are having a blast flying. Want to go? Email me at Fly-A-G2@honeybeeg2.com and we will do our best to get you on the schedule!

Let's go flying!

Survey Results

Good afternoon! 

I put up a survey awhile ago that has now ended regarding "How can HBG2 help you with training?"  If you did not see the final numbers....


The respondents said: 
10% said...Yes, I want transition training to fly my G2
21% said...I want to start/finish My Sport Pilot License
21% said...I am fully licensed, just need transition training
25% said...I Just want enough training to fly an Ultralight
20% said...I want to get my Gyro/CFI and be part of what you are doing
1% said...I Need Something Else, I will email info@honeybeeg2.com

Thanks for responding, it sure helps us understand your needs...


Our Team Is Listening!

Winter Flying Anyone?

This Cat must love flying Gyros!

Welcome To Michigan....Winter Flying!!!

This Winter has been one of the warmest that I can remember in a long time although we have gotten some snow lately. The good news is that we have another week of "mild weather" coming this week; Mid 30's and only a moderate chance of more snow most days.  For those in the warmer climates, I am sure that it is hard to understand flying in this kind of weather....by Summer time our flying will include full and partial  enclosures.

Electric socks, gloves and vest let you dial up the heat!

With that said, there are a number of you coming this week to fly with me; bring warm clothes.   We have electric socks, gloves and vests; they make a huge difference.  If you grew up riding snowmobiles you will feel right at home.  It is actually quite comfortable....

The frame that you see in this picture is a Revision "B" frame with a number of upgrades: New Surrounds, Tip Rudders, New 2.21 Ratio Redrive, Panel, etc.  Our planned  photo shoot Friday was snowed out; more photos are coming! 


As to the flying qualities of this frame, it is absolutely marvelous. I will be putting up some testimonials in the next week and update the performance numbers with the 2.21 drive. For now, know that the "C" frames are absolutely beautiful, even in the snow!

Just like riding our Arctic Cat Snowmobile!

The 2.4L Monster Fan has a 140Amp Alternator to keep you warm!

Come on...Let's go flying! 

Sneak Peek at Our 2012 Standard Panel

Good Afternoon!

It is a beautiful Winter day here in Hastings, Michigan! The temperatures have been in the mid 30's and the wind has been around 15 with gusts to 26 MPH; I should be out flying in a couple of hours. For now I am at my laptop faithfully posting to the Blog.  BTW, I am glad you like the new web pages and the role of the Blog.... (Thanks to my buddy Don for his wisdom on these matters. Also, thanks to all of you for the positive feedback!)

Today I thought I would give you a quick look our 2012 Model Year, Standard Panel layout.  There will be more pictures coming as the photo shoots are completed...

Our Stand Panel is shown here with:

1. A Garmin 196 in the Standard 196/296/396/496 AIRGIZMO Mount

2. An Optional ICOM A210 COM Radio.  

NOTE: Though an ICOM is shown here, we are hitching our brand wagon to Garmin 

3. An Optional Garmin GTX 327 Transponder

4. Below the central stack is the Standard GRT Avionics EIS

5. On the left: The required Standard Whiskey Compass

6.  A Standard 3 1/8" Airspeed Indicator

7. On the Right is the Moving Mast Controls (Two Place Tandem Only)

8. In the lower center, are all the switches and fuses. 

Overall, it is a very nice and functional panel and I like it much better than the prior editions on both the Pink Single Place High Performance or the panel on the 2PT. 

As Don and I begin to settle in on the new "Options" page on the website, we are going to try  breaking out what options are available on what frames and at what those respective costs are.  In other words, the Deluxe Pod show above will not be offered for the Ultralight G2 because of the weight restrictions of Part 103.  On the other hand, it could be added to the Microlight; the mounts are there for it and even though it is a lighter frame, the aircraft would look great with it.  As you might expect, the more capable the airframe the greater the option list will be.  For instance, the SP-HP and the 2PT will offer three (possible four) different panel options including a full-IFR panel with Autopilot.  This may seem silly to some but with the addition of the Full Enclosure and Climate Control, this kind of instrumentation makes for a really good cross country aircraft. 

On this "Options" Page we will also begin to list out the various options and combinations of enclosure possibilities.  The shell is progressing steadily along and the level of expertise that is going into the final design is amazing.  Because we have taken a very modular approach to its design, you are going to be able to approach "your" enclosure ala carte....meaning that you can put on a Nose Cone and Windscreen on yours and get out of the wind. You can put on a Nose Cone, Windscreen and the Upper Fairings on yours or you can put on a Nose Cone, a Windscreen and the Lower Fairings all of which leave you with the feel of an open frame. If you want to put in the Door Columns and the Rear Bulkhead you are now ready to put on the Doors and turn up the heat...and fly year around, even in Michigan!  The real question is what do you want your HoneyBee G2 to Be?   

How about color options with custom wraps? How about custom paint? You think we have not been busy around here....think again.

For now, it is time to go flying!

Great Questions!

Good Afternoon!

A major part of my role for the HoneyBee G2 effort is email. I really do enjoy that responsibility although on some days there can be between 50-100 emails coming into jim@honeybeeg2.com (or info@honeybeeg2.com or Fly-A-G2@honeybeeg2.com)....from all over the world.  I take this part of my responsibility very serious and when a HoneyBee G2 follower asks some really good questions, I often want to share my responses with all of you.  Now that the role of the Blog is to serve as more of a diary on what's going on, let's begin that process right here and right now!

One HoneyBee G2 Fan asked....

Q1.    Can the upper mast bolts on the Ultralight and Micro be repeatedly removed to allow storage in a garage? 

A1. Nylocks are good for about three - four cycles and then the lock is really not adequate any more.  The answer gets better, please read below...

Q2. What would be the max height with the mast either removed or pivoted back on one remaining bolt "if the mast were to be partially unbolted"? 

A2. Below 8’ so that it would roll into the average garage. For those that need this type of solution, we have been working on a folding mast for the 2PT; you should see it at Bensen Days.  The Single Places (including the UL) should be ready by Mentone & Oshkosh. Any frames that are delivered between now and then can be retrofitted.

Q3. Will there be provision for oil injection in the future, especially for the Micro?

A3. Most engine manufactures do not have an oil injection system although there are some that do.  With the ROTAX 447 (not oil injected) & oil injected 503 gone, ROTAX has totally bailed out on this side of the business in favor of the 912 Series. MZ does not offer this kind of a solution for either the 201 or the 202.  It is not our current plan to create this type of product for the industry.  As many of you know, we have been working on a 4-Stroke solution for our UL and Microlight frames.  Again, we are hoping to have it ready by Summer 2012. It takes a ton of money, time and attention to do this; thank you for your patience.  It has been a long time in coming but it will be worth the wait when we have it done.

Q4.  I like you’re new website, everything is very professional!

A4. Thank you. We do take a lot of good healthy pride in what we do. We are thankful that you enjoy it! 

Take care,

Rides & Scheduling For The Spring Shows

Mark,

Thank you for writing and asking  about scheduling rides during the Spring Shows in Florida! The list has grown to a formidable level and I am looking forward to having you (and the others) go for a ride in the G2 Tandem. 

Here is the plan...on how we hope to accommodate your (and others) needs for a target time slot. Over the next couple of weeks, I will put up the list of those riding with me.  That list will ask you for your 1st/2nd/3rd choice for the days of the Shows and if you have a preference for AM or PM time slots.  I am also going to ask for your cell phone number so that we have the best chance to connect without a lot of hassle.

Once I get this information, I will begin assembling a more final "working list"...pretty simple.  If a rider misses his or her respective time slot, Louanne will do her best to get that person back into the schedule on a stand-by basis.  One think for sure is that I am very much looking forward to flying together!

Thanks for writing...

Take care!