2013 HoneyBee G2 Models

2013 HoneyBee G2 Models

HoneyBee G2, LLC is thrilled to announce the 2013 HoneyBee G2 "General Aviation" Branded Line of Gyroplanes.  Our staff has worked hard to create a unique approach to many new features and improvements.  Those aircraft are…

HoneyBee G2 Ultralight: The HoneyBee G2 Ultralight will continue to be available for 2013 Model Year in the same arrangement as the award winning 2012 Bensen Days Grand Champion. One note however, the G2 Ultralights are being made in limited quantities only. Call early to reserve yours! Standard HoneyBee Yellow is our standard color, for 2013 Bright White is available at no extra cost. 

HoneyBee G2 Single Place-Standard: Formerly known as the G2 MicroLight, the Single Place-Standard has the features of our larger frames buts offers the pilot a great, light Gyroplane experience. This aircraft comes Standard with:

• Imprint™ Control System Integration, more on this later!
• MZ 202/60HP engine, up-gradable to a ROTAX 582
• 14 Gallons Fuel Capacity
• Deluxe Instrument Pod for DVFR to IFR Instrument Panels
• Square Tube Keel & Tail Boom to handle upgrades later
• Ultralight 24v Pre-rotator with a 120VAC Wall Charging System
• Improved Hydraulic Rotor Brake System with “Park Feature”
• Heavy-Duty Tail Surfaces like the larger frames
• Alloy Wheels/Standard Size Tires/Hydraulic Brakes with “Park Feature”
• 25/26’ Blades depending on customer needs
• Standard HoneyBee Yellow is our standard color, for 2013 Bright White is available at no extra cost.

HoneyBee G2 Single Place-Deluxe: This model is totally new this year and comes with all the features of the Single-Place Standard Airframe but also includes:

• Imprint™ Control System Integration, more on this later!
• MZ 202/60HP engine, up-gradable to a ROTAX 582
• 14 Gallons Fuel Capacity
• Surrounds/Floor/Arm Rests for ease of entry and comfort in-flight
• Deluxe Instrument Pod for DVFR to IFR Instrument Panels
• The same Ultralight 24v Pre-rotator but with its own “on-board” 24V Charging System.
• Improved Hydraulic Rotor Brake System with “Park Feature”
• Alloy Wheels/Standard Size Tires/Hydraulic Brakes with “Park Feature”
• Standard HoneyBee Yellow is our standard color, for 2013 Bright White is available at no extra cost.

Single Place-High Performance: This airframe just keeps getting better and better all the time. The SP-HP as it has been known, offers all of the features of the Single Place-Deluxe but also includes:

• Imprint™ Control System Integration, more on this later!
• Heavy-Duty Landing Gear similar to the Two-Place Tandem
• 14 Gallons Fuel Capacity
• New Rotor Blade Options
• Twin Bearing Rotor Head for heavier payloads
• The all new 36V Heavy-Duty Pre-rotator and own On-Board Charging System
• Re-designed Heavy-Duty Landing Gear allows for better trailering
• Improved Hydraulic Rotor Brake System with “Park Feature”
• Deluxe Instrument Pod for DVFR to IFR Instrument Panels
• Alloy Wheels/Standard Size Tires/Hydraulic Brakes with “Park Feature”
• A totally redesigned-Heavy-Duty Engine Mount
• All NEW, 138 HP-1.4L Engine Platform
• Last but not least, this airframe is enclosure ready
• Standard HoneyBee Yellow is our standard color, for 2013 Bright White is available at no extra cost.

Two Place Tandem: Like the SP-HP, this airframe just keeps getting better and better all the time.  Our Staff has put so much effort into perfecting this airframe.  This airframe has the most new additions of our entire line. For those that are new to this part of our line, all the features and improvements are listed here:

• Imprint™ Control System Integration, more on this later!
• Our Trademark Moving Mast Feature offers the broadest possible CG options for virtually all passenger needs.
• Re-designed Heavy-Duty Landing Gear allows for easier trailering
• Two Place Tandem Seating
• All NEW Folding Mast Option
• New Rotor Blade Options
• Improved Twin Bearing Rotor Head for Heavier Payloads
• Improved Hydraulic Rotor Brake System with “Park Feature”
• Deluxe Instrument Pod for DVFR to IFR Instrument Panels
• Surrounds/Floor/Arm-Rests
• The all new 36V Heavy-Duty Pre-rotator and On-Board Charging System
• 14 Gallons Fuel Capacity
• Alloy Wheels/Standard Size Tires/Hydraulic Brakes with “Park Feature”
• Improved Heavy-Duty Engine Mount
• 210 HP-2.4L Engine Platform
• Last but not least, this airframe is enclosure ready
• Standard HoneyBee Yellow is our standard color, for 2013 Bright White is available at no extra cost.

We will have new pictures and additional information soon! 

Happy New Year!

Jim Fields

President/CEO

HoneyBee G2, LLC

Committed To Building The Safest Gyroplanes In The World™

New Roll Mount/Balanced Pressures

For those that have been tracking with the HoneyBee G2 Project, you have read our  commitment to Total  Quality Management, or TQM....making little improvements ALL THE TIME everywhere we can.  Some times this is for assembly, some times it is a material change, sometimes it is a cosmetic change and sometimes it is not a change, it is an addition. No matter how you look at it, we are always improving what we do in the G2.  The areas we improve come from our flying experience, customer feedback and the brain trust of our engineering staff. When we work on something until we get it right, it makes all the difference in the world; sometimes this is the first try...sometimes it takes more. When it is right, it is right.  If these improvements need to get to customers (no matter where they are at in the world) then we pack them up and ship them out. Jeremy and I are going to Brazil on the 20th of October and are shipping parts there for this very reason.  The original parts worked just fine, but there are a couple of little tweaks that we want to have on their aircraft.  That same thing goes  for all the domestic frames. We believe in and are committed to the G2 experience.....always something new coming and always improving. Always.....

The picture above shows the lower Control Stick Tubes. Jeremy came up with a way to keep the "Pitch Forces" the same while decreasing the "Roll Forces".  With a Right Rotation Prop and normal Rotor Blade rotation, the left force is always heavier than the right stick force. The solution is to harmonize Pitch & Roll pressures and "engineered stick return forces"....leading to complete, hands-off flying!  Piece of cake! Great job Jeremy!

Keeping up the great work together!

Yesterday Was A Blast!

As the company grows, my time on the floor with the guys and in the air with customers gets less and less.  Conversely, the time I need to fill the role as President & CEO grows and grows. 

Well yesterday was different! I got to fly with customers (140 - 262#'s) from Southern, IL in the G2-2PT, fly with Jimmie "O" (me in the G2-2PT & Jimmie in his G1)  and at the end of the day, Louanne (my beloved wife) and I got to go up for an hour of just taking in the splendor of Fall color in Michigan!   Yesterday was a blast! 

For those that are contemplating a trip to Hastings this Fall, please let Don Vander Wall know early when you are coming.  The aircraft are busy and so are we; the earlier you schedule your trip to 9D9, the better we can serve your needs. 

Have a Colorful Day!

Safety Survey Comments Needed!

Okay Boys and Girls, I seldom go negative on this blog but my review of the Safety Survey Sight just killed me today. If there was ever a time when YOUR  public comments were being WELCOMED about PART 103, it is NOW. If we as a community don't or won't comment when we get the chance, we have no one to blame but ourselves.   To date, we have only had "4", yes "4" very positive comments.  Thank you to those that have take the two minutes to do that!

Compare and contrast here with me for a minute.  Why is it so easy for the Gyroplane community, blogs and forums to post so many, "poisonous, negative, inflammatory and mean comments" but when given a opportunity like this to make a HUGE difference in the Part 103 World, we get only "4" comments?  I personally can't believe it.

If you have not contributed your "formal comment" yet I invite you to do that by clicking on this link: Submit A Formal Comment. Please make your voice heard; it is greatly appreciated!

If we won't be proactive and make a "simple positive comment" when given the opportunity to do so, we should never say again that our friends at the FAA have not given us the opportunity of a lifetime to make a difference in OUR sport. 

"4" comments? 

2013 G2 Product Line Announcement

It's true! This Friday afternoon at 5 PM  HoneyBee G2 is  announcing its 2013 G2 General Aviation Branded Line of rotorcraft each with its new respective features. Going forward, October will serve as the time when the next model year is announced. 

Honestly, our staff has worked hard to understand the needs of our customers and then define which features go into which models for what reasons. It has been a lot of fun.  

We have also decided which  features will be held for the 2014 & 2015 Model Years!

Thank you for all the feedback!

Single Place-Deluxe G2 Update!

The end of last week and the first part of this week was and has been crazy busy...meaning we did not get much done on the Single Place-Deluxe G2.  Because this is a group project, it has to find its way into the schedule as time allows.   ...and time did not allow for much.  

Well, today was the first day that Jimmie "O" had the time to get back on the project. Hopefully Don will be able to make a stab at it tomorrow too.  I know that Jeremy has been working on (at least discussing) the electrical harness. Because this frame is going to have a ROTAX 503, we don't have a harness for this chassis and engine combination. No big deal, we will just use/modify a 582 harness; there isn't that much difference between the two engines. Drop the coolant wire/sensor and we are there....

The next step is for the surrounds to go on.  Then we will put up the Rotor Head/Pre-rotator/Brake assembly.  Then it won't be long and we will be ready for the Air Worthiness Inspection.....and Bingo, we will all be flying this G2!

Can't wait to fly this one too!

K-A-S-H: Good Flying Habits Made Simple!

Learning to fly requires a person to understand new concepts that are often foreign to our prior experience.  This is even more true when flying a Gyroplane because the type has different assets and liabilities than other aircraft types. For Fixed Wing guys, the rotary wing creates an environment that is kind of like like a helicopter but kind of flies like a fixed wing. It takes time to get comfortable in every type of aircraft; that goes for the Gyroplane too. 

For me, there is one acrostic that has helped me put things  into focus for many, many years and has really helped me learn new material quickly. That acrostic is K-A-S-H: Knowledge, Attitude, Skills & Habits.  I have used it for years...it is a "Building Blocks" approach.   

Here is how it works: 

1. The deeper your Knowledge is on the topic, the more it improves your foundation on the material you are trying to learn.  What happens when you don't study and only show up for the test?  You likely fail. Why should learning to fly get a pass on this?  I have friends that started "working on" their Pilot's License years ago but would not discipline themselves enough to study for the Written Exam. You have to have the necessary Knowledge to get all the way through the process.  Knowing how to fly or why things fly will only get you so far. There is more...

2. Attitude is the next critical component.  It is this element that provides you with the spirit to learn (or not learn) the material.  If your attitude is one that believes the material is too hard and requires a rocket scientist (...and you don't happen to work for NASA) then you are probably not going to do well without an attitude check. Flying is not hard, it is a process and a good "I can do this given enough time and attention attitude" goes a long way. 

3. The next component is Skills.  Skill boils down to practice, practice and more practice or just plain doing it long enough to get good at it.  When I fly, I practice my Skills all the time so that I remain a safe and solid pilot.  I don't do this because I have nothing else to do, I do it because of the next and last element.  

4. The last and final part is Habit.  Knowledge of the problem, a good Attitude in approaching the problem, a Skill set that has been honed are all of "worth less" (not "worthless" here) if they have not become a solid Habit.  When you have to be on top of your game,  a split second can be so critical.  It is at this point that you need the best "HABIT" you can get your hands on.  I have talked to pilots that have never had an engine out....and because of that haven't practiced emergency procedures since the week they got their license years ago.  What a shame! What do you think is going to happen when the "problem" occurs.  You are right....they are going to be behind the game looking and wishing they had been more diligent about EXCELLENCE in their flying habits. 

What am I suggesting? I am suggesting that on every flight, you build on your knowledge, have a good attitude, keep mastering the necessary skills and by all means make the best  habits that come back to you...without even thinking about it! When you do this, you will be absolutely prepared (...as best as humanly possible) when you have to be EXCELLENT at flying. 

Have you practiced engine outs lately?

Begin today!

HoneyBee Single Place-Deluxe G2: End Of Week Update!

I have posted before about finding a flying buddy. Generally I mean getting involved with someone so that each can cheer the other one on in the process of getting their/your training going; often times most people have started and just need to finish the process. If you will do this you will make a friend for life.

We (at HoneyBee G2) are doing just that by "group building" the Single Place-Deluxe G2 shown here.  Fundamentally, it is our goal for  everyone who works here to fly a Gyroplane or at the very least be in the process of becoming a rated Gyroplane Pilot. Group building this G2 is proving to be  an excellent way to rally everyone around that goal. 

As I have mentioned in my earlier posts, this particular G2 is getting all the options we offer for the light Single Place frames.  Namely, Surrounds, Deluxe Pod, ICOM A210 COM Radio, a GARMIN GTX 327 Transponder and a GARMIN 196.  With this kind of equipment, our staff/students/pilots can log long cross-country flights and if desired could acquire a Private Pilot Gyroplane Rating later in the craft.  The primary differences are  Night Flight requirements, a few  longer cross-country flights and the requirements for Controlled Air Space experience.  

For those staff members that want to...it will be fun to contact Grand Rapids Approach and request approach clearance to 26R... With an airspeed of 55 - 60 MPH, no doubt they will have to "fit one into the schedule".  I remember the days when I was working on my Controlled Air Space requirements for my Private Pilot License.  Around West Michigan that means Class C Airspace in Grand Rapids.  In my case, the tower was great at "fitting me in" flying a Cessna 172....when Lear and Citation Jets are inbound to the same runway at 150 knots.  There were times when I had to hold my cruise air speed (105 knots) right down to the numbers, get stopped and get off the runway as soon as possible. Getting in and working inside the system is a great and wonderful experience. 

No doubt, getting into Grand Rapids with this G2 will be equally exciting and will require flying at "max-cruise speed" (or more) right to the numbers! What a great experience that will Bee!

Have a great weekend!

Survey Comments!

Good Morning!

Thank you for the comments!  Mark was the first to point out  that "break/breaks", though spelled correctly, should have been "brake/brakes"... LOL on that one!  Thanks Mark!

If you have not contributed your "formal comment" yet I invite you to do that by clicking on this link: Submit A Formal Comment. Please make your voice heard; it is greatly appreciated!

Have a great day! 

SAFETY SURVEY: Update

Good Morning!

Back in May of this year, I posted a request for your help to be part of a "formal" Safety Survey led by Jim Stephenson of Aero Sports Connection. The project was entitled Light-Weight Gyroplane Survey and your response was excellent!  Thank you again from all of us that love and fly Ultralight Gyroplanes. 

So what else can you do? Now that a formal submission has been compiled and formally submitted to the FAA for their consideration, I am asking you to go this link and submit your "formal comments". To do that, just click this link: Submit A Formal Comment.  If you would like to read the document that was submitted to the FAA, just click here: FAA Safety Survey Document.

This is our collective opportunity to comment on matters that are important to all of us, especially those that fly Ultralight Gyroplanes.  The more comments we make, the more we can assist those that will make the final ruling on these matters. Ultralight Gyroplanes need to be properly equipped with all of the necessary safety items too that make the Gyroplane such a safe flying machine.  

Thank you for making a difference!