I sent this information to Eric Torr and Louis Van Wyk a few weeks ago, in the line of safety I will post the comments form a reliable source who operate in the Middle and Far east using gyro copters for commercial work.
We were discussing up coming projects and we touched on my enthusiasm for the DTA Jro. ( I think its a very pretty looking machine)
Please do not shoot the messenger (this happens often in the Gyro community) I think if we all shared info in a constructive way it will add to safety.
After I put the phone down with PC received this email regarding the DTA, and an hour later he sent me some info on the ELA use it or lose it or if any one has experience with these machines please share?
His comments regarding the Pax seating I must confess for a person who is under 6ft was never a problem or was not uncomfortable.
I have not had comment from Chris Lord in the USA regarding the ELA and I think it could be that he is no longer the agent
Eclipse : and take this info very very seriously !
1. TAIL ASSEMBLY PRONE TO CRACKS
2. FUEL TANKS LEAK
3. CANOPY LATCHES ARE PRONE TO OPEN IN FLIGHT
4. CRACKS REPORTED IN ENGINE MOUNTINGS
5. ELA recently changed all under carriage legs, they claim it was to increase AUW to 600 kg this was done in France where 450 k.g soon to be 500 is in force ( smoke and mirrors) in practise here,
* walk away from this machine *
DTA
Comments from a very senior test engineer global consultant Auto-Rotation re your DTA experience.
1 $60,000 more expensive than the Aussie /Tag
2. Most net pics of this machine have it upside down/ ground looped !
3. Huge cracking issues in the fuselage.
4. Not enough structure around doors and engine cowling.
5. Sitting in the rear is like giving birth with your feet up !
ELA eclipse & DTA Jro issues pics added
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ELA eclipse & DTA Jro issues pics added
Last edited by greg vos on Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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CFI Gyro & Test Pilot
PPL (H)
CFI Gyro & Test Pilot
Re: ELA eclipse & DTA Jro issues
Darnit! The Eclipse is such a pretty gyro! I really hoped that they learned from the past and sorted out all the tail cracking issues they had on the old ELA's.
Re: ELA eclipse & DTA Jro issues
I have contacted JB and have asked him to assist me in loading some pics ...
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PPL (H)
CFI Gyro & Test Pilot
PPL (H)
CFI Gyro & Test Pilot
Re: ELA eclipse & DTA Jro issues pics added
Thanks John B for putting in the pics, ok so this gyro simply had a hard landing the mast folded and snapped in two places, so the weight of the rotors caused this.
The pilot got out with some damage to his hand and was very lucky.
It's said that the manufacturer has reduced the mast wall thickness form 2mm to 1.6mm
The pilot got out with some damage to his hand and was very lucky.
It's said that the manufacturer has reduced the mast wall thickness form 2mm to 1.6mm
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CFI Gyro & Test Pilot
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CFI Gyro & Test Pilot
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