Search found 13 matches

by Kolibri
Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:05 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: RAF gyrocopter accidents
Replies: 95
Views: 71251

Re: RAF gyrocopter accidents

Most gyros in general today is just a copy of someone else's aircraft. The RAF was designed as a powered aircraft and did not follow the line of all the copies of the Bensen. That is why it has a patented mast design, a patented C OF G, and a patented Rotor Stabilator. This is why RAF also has indu...
by Kolibri
Sun Jun 11, 2017 5:37 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: RAF gyrocopter accidents
Replies: 95
Views: 71251

Re: RAF gyrocopter accidents

I bought a used RAF 2000 three years ago, with 270 hours and no H-stab. I trained in it without an H-stab, and got my SP-gyro add-on to my PP-ASEL license. I never did like the pitch instability of the stabless RAF. It felt as though I was in a swinging bucket. Shortly after my checkride, I install...
by Kolibri
Sat May 20, 2017 1:37 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

Re: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Me

N69EP Ortmayer used the RAF hub bar/winglets, and it failed on 12 March 2004. (The still-attached rotor blade struck student Ashley Godeaux in the left side of his skull with a fatal blow.) There were two contributing factors to the failure: 1) The Parsons trainer type of gyro has a rigid mast, and...
by Kolibri
Tue May 16, 2017 3:22 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: sport copter rotorblades
Replies: 12
Views: 8577

Re: sport copter rotorblades

Eben, what does your reply :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: mean?
What are you "shocked" about?

Kolibri
by Kolibri
Tue May 16, 2017 3:08 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

Re: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Me

Below are my excerpts from the SACAA Accident Report on ZU-RHO. http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and%20Incidents%20Reports/9462.pdf I've not quoted the full report, but only the most relevant excerpts. Bold emphasis is mine. Regards, Kolibri Synopsis During take off from Avontuur, The pilot reporte...
by Kolibri
Tue May 16, 2017 2:57 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

Re: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Me

OK, merged threads (thank you Mods), fine, back to the matter at hand. Whatever technical stuff y'all want reposted, let me know. The below photo is of the other RAF 2000 which popped a hub bar bolt head (AN-12) and threw a rotor (N69EP ORTMAYER). ZU-RHO's bolt head has never been found, but it wil...
by Kolibri
Fri May 12, 2017 9:29 pm
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

Re: RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque over time

Howdy all,

I intend to stay strictly within the technical discussion of the matter, and hope others do the same.

Welcome Dave, as a new moderator.

Regards, Kolibri
by Kolibri
Fri May 12, 2017 3:25 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque over time

Comment removed by MODERATOR My below post has no such verbiage, nor none of RAFSA. I consider the information vital for RAF owners, and request that this thread be allowed to remain, thank you. ______ Francois provided some valuable data when he experimented with different tightenings after hand s...
by Kolibri
Wed May 10, 2017 5:53 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

Re: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO Threads?

Rotor-Blade , thanks for pointing out my copy/paste error, which I've corrected in my post: With 2 cycles/rev, at 350rrpm, that's 700 cycles every minute. Nearly 12 every second. ___________ Kolibri, come now, you have to admit that the RAF hub bar & winglet combination is a sexy looking piece of m...
by Kolibri
Thu May 04, 2017 6:30 pm
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged

All RAF owners that has to replace their rotors at 500 hours as per recommendations, or for safety and peace of mind can now buy the Sportcopter rotor system from me as the fatory appointed sole agent in South Africa. Interested PM me. spinkaan Congratulations, spinkann ! I wish you and your client...
by Kolibri
Tue May 02, 2017 8:02 pm
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged

Even if we forget about, for the moment, the RAF hinged hub bar and its beleagered tensile bolt, there remains the crucial matter of material fatigue. Aluminum has no clear endurance limit. The one-time tensile yield strength of 6061-T6 is ~40,000 psi. However, aluminum quickly loses strength when ...
by Kolibri
Mon May 01, 2017 8:49 pm
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged
Replies: 24
Views: 20673

ZU-DBV, ZU-RHO & RAF 2000 hub bar bolt torque Threads Merged

Howdy all, MODERATED I've reposted below two public safety photos, so that RAF owners may easily confirm for themselves if their hub bar contains the correct washer (with flat grinds) vs. those installed by RAFSA on ZU-RHO. (One wonders why such photos are not on the manufacturer's own website.) I ...
by Kolibri
Thu Sep 01, 2016 2:36 am
Forum: Gyro Talk
Topic: Who flies what from where ?
Replies: 87
Views: 140387

Re: Who flies what from where ?

Howdy! I fly an RAF2000 (2.2 carbed) with Sport Copter mast, rotorhead, hub bar, rotors, and air trim. I immediately installed a Boyer H-stab right after my training and checkride, and highly recommend this. I've put 165 hours on it in two years. I'm also a fixed-wing pilot/owner, and will checkrid...