It would have to be a side by side enclosed machine with a bit of baggage space, so I am looking! Whirly. Both space and weight allowance seem to be a problem with current gyros. If you're two up with full fuel, there's not much room left for anything bar the toothbrush. :cry: Xenon has a bit behin...

THI wrote:...

If I had the money I would have tried this. I have a friend that built boats. I'll pick his brain!

THI, any news from the brain-picking? I have a suspicion weight will be an issue.

It helps if you've got a whacking great Rolls Royce engine! The Hawk 4 Gyroplanes will be the first in a series of specially designed and constructed aircraft by Groen Brother Aviation (BGA) based in Utah, USA. The Hawk 4 provides S/VTOL capabilities with its patented variable pitch rotor head and o...

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Flynote. I expressed myself poorly. Yes, it all depends on your mission.

Can't argue with that, Flynote.

Which brings me to the Xenon itself. A wonderful craft in so many ways, but a little under-powered for our Highveld conditions, esp during summer, perhaps? Flying with 2 and a toothbrush and 30C OAT and 5000' altitude - pushing the edges of that envelope?

Vital point made, Flynote. How far over were you, for the conditions?

Hi FO Gyro - do you use 'Spider tracks' for the tracking device?

Lifted from Avcom: http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=79983 "Andrem: I doubt the gyro fuel tank was filled with Deto-Stop or any other type of honeycomb matrix as these materials block the functioning of the fuel level indicator float & gauge." http://www.texogatech.com/deto-stop.cfm ...

Any further news on this mishap? Any more understanding of what might have happened? I'm asking not as an 'accident vulture' but out of pure concern to learn.

This topic is not only fascinating, but possibly life-saving.

SARAF has alerted a sister site in the US about this accident

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29508

Interesting points of view

Braam, your post reminds me of a knight's quest for the holy grail! Challenging, perhaps impossible, but oh what a cause!

Quick question relating to tundra tyres. What kind of penalty do they exact on payload and speed?

Thanks for the prompt and interesting replies, Flynote and Braam. It sounds to me that South Africa is such a useful environment for field testing aircraft such as the Xenon, which was conceived and developed in Europe (does that mean there are no rough strips there at all? I'm reminded of the robus...

Quick question for you lucky xenon drivers. How robust is the undercarriage? Will it handle the grass strips one finds at the wild coast, like fort grosvenor, mazeppa bay etc - grass and undulations and cow pats ...

Can anyone post a youtube of the broadcast?