Xenon Gyro

[Gyronaut]

If anybody else insure theirs, please tell me.

Whirly.

Whirly, I also insure mine against fire and theft (all risks) while on the ground. In fact, the policy specifies that the cover does not apply if the rotor is turning.
for R500k cover it costs me R680 p.m. which I personally think is very expensive, but so be it.

For the record, I was a heli pilot/owner like you that thumbed my nose at Gyro's because I really didn't understand. I stumbled upon one on a game farm a few years ago and went for a flip, ordered my own and am now rather ashamed at my ignorance before.

I can do everything a Robbie R22 can do at altitude in my gyro at 1 TENTH of the cost and better duration. (R22 cant hover out of ground effect at altitude either and cant get off the ground with full tanks, 2 up, so there!)

Welcome to the wonderful world of affordable, safe flying Whirly! The veil has been lifted for you too! Viva!

Len

[Gyronaut]

... by the way... here's a thought.
If I do scribble my gyro, the rotor wont be turning anymore, does that mean its covered?
I think not.

[FLYNOTE]

Real planes use only a single stick to fly. This is why bulldozers & helicopters — in that order — need two.

[whirly]

If anybody else insure theirs, please tell me.

Whirly.

Whirly, I also insure mine against fire and theft (all risks) while on the ground. In fact, the policy specifies that the cover does not apply if the rotor is turning.
for R500k cover it costs me R680 p.m. which I personally think is very expensive, but so be it.

For the record, I was a heli pilot/owner like you that thumbed my nose at Gyro's because I really didn't understand. I stumbled upon one on a game farm a few years ago and went for a flip, ordered my own and am now rather ashamed at my ignorance before.

I can do everything a Robbie R22 can do at altitude in my gyro at 1 TENTH of the cost and better duration. (R22 cant hover out of ground effect at altitude either and cant get off the ground with full tanks, 2 up, so there!)

Welcome to the wonderful world of affordable, safe flying Whirly! The veil has been lifted for you too! Viva!

Len

JetRanger,

Thanks, I have always insured every aeroplane and helicopter that I have ever owned and never claimed, but I firmly believe the first time I fly without insurance is the time that I will need it!! Does your insurance include 3rd party liability?

I don't like the R22,not even at sea level, and you will never find me in one btw!!My turbine is cheaper to run than a R22! Just try and insure one of them.

Yes, I agree, I am also slowly starting to see the light regarding gyros. I do think there are some out there that are not as good as other though. I like the look of some of the new enclosed cabin machines around but I find their prices just very high!

Whirly.

[Gyronaut]

Thats most interesting Whirly, what turbine do you fly that costs less to run than a R22? My 206B cost considerably more to run (thats why I got rid of it).
I agree fully with you about the R22 by the way. Always hated that damn hooter and my instructor made my buy him a 6 pack of beers every time it went off (which was quite often)

Third party liability used to be really cheap through the Aero Club but I think its with Dennis Jankelow directly now. Not sure about all this since my Admin is done for me.
I do know that I do have third party liability cover since you wont get an ATF without it.

I agree about the new generation enclosed gyro's being really nice. I chose a Sycamore 4 years ago because it was one of only 2 enclosed machines available at the time and I liked the configuration.
Right now I am biased towards the Magni M24 (I want one!) because I spend a lot of time in Magni's doing instruction and have not yet been in a Xenon but by all accounts it is an awesome machine also.
Must get to go for a flight in one soon.

Rgds

Len

PS, between you and me, Heli Pilots are the most difficult students to train on Gyro's for some strange reason. Speed and power management takes a while; their attitude adjustment takes even longer. Fixed wing Microlight pilots are the easiest. Dont ask me why but I think its probably because a gyro is a normal sensitive 3 axis aircraft once in the air.

[FLYNOTE]

Hey Len, you must come and check out the Xenon when next up here.
Interesting about the trike guys to Gyros. I would have thought that the reverse controls would take a bit of getting used to ?
I remember witnessing an insident years ago of a microlight pilot doing his conversion to gyro. As the nose lifted , the instructor told him to "keep the nose down". Thinking trike , the student " pulled back on the bar... " up and over she went... dynamic rollover.
Had an interview and photoshoot for African pilot on the Xenon yesterday. Be sure to check out the July / August edition.
Flew to Hartebeespoortdam with my business partner and 70 lts on board on Saturday. 2.02 hrs there and back , 35 lts left in tank on landing which gives me 17 lts per hour. Happiness over here. I have now flown 64 hrs with the Xenon in the past 3 months and enjoying more and more with each passing hour. Great future for these flying machines . You are quite right ,they don't come cheap ... especially if you want all the bells and whistles on offer and ... if you buy at R13.50 to the Euro as I did , due to the influence of the Queen song "I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now !! " Gee ,if I had the patience and could predict the future, I could have bought at R11.00 to the Euro now and saved almost R200 000 ! But then again it could go the other way for all one knows. If these things bite, they don't let go but it's worth it ... no regrets over here , just hats off to the guys who buy at the right time and the right rate .

[Gyronaut]

Flynote, I will certainly take you up on it. Would love to see your machine and get a feel for it. It looks absolutely stunning.
When Paul and I come up to fetch his machine I'll come take a look for sure.

Just a small correction, I didnt say trike pilots, I said 3 axis microlight pilots are the easiest to train. (Jabi/CTSW/Bushbaby/Challenger/Cubby - pilots)

Rgds

Len

[Low Level]

Hi Johan

Curious about the RST motor.

How does the boost on the RST motor works?

Is it gradually coming in from certain RPM, or do you also have the kick at a specific rpm ?

Is full boost also at 40 in ?

If you fly, at say 5 000 rpm, does the boost also bleeds off to under 30 in, or does it work a little harder ?

Since you're in a position to compare, is there a noticable difference in performance between the two engines ?

[ZS-NEL]

I can tell you guys, I flew in the Xenon with Flynote on Sunday ....and I want one. Thanks Johan for the awsome day. I've got a whole lot of very nice pics and will send them to you soon. (See Braam beat me to it). Whatch the August AP Magazine!

[THI]

Hi ZS-NEL

Post a few here! We can't wait until August!

[FLYNOTE]

So sorry Len , misunderstanding on my part, yes I absolutely agree with you re. 3 axis.
My very first impression of gyro flying was that they are far too easy too fly. No stall , no spin , just keep to the basic envelope and rules and always be aware that it can and will bite if you don't ... and more carefree , safe and uncomplicated enjoyment of the big blue space above us you will not "sommer" find elsewhere! Looking forward to meeting you up here. Let me know when.


Hi Low level, the RST is also still very new to me as well but I have been really impressed with it's performance up to now, especially at altitude.

Its the 80hp Rotax with a Mitchibusi turbo and intercooler which pushes the hp up to 122 horses . Rotax does not approve this conversion but the Xenon factory obviously does and guarantees the engine with the rest of the machine.

Whereas you get 115hp at 5800 RPM which can be maintained for 5 minutes on the 914, on the RST you can maintain 115 hp continously.
At sealevel I reckon it could be an overkill or can too much power ever be enough ??

Take off is at 5800 RPM , 122hp and at 5400 RPM I have 115 hp continously . 914 = 100hp at 5400.
I cruise at 5000 RPM = 100hp for best fuel ecconomy ( 16 to 18 lts per hour. ) I cruise my M22 at 5200 RPM ( 80% ) and burn 23 to 25 liters per hour. Was same on M16. ( 914 )

You run in turbo all the time ... a very smooth engine , like a Singer sowing machine !

Full boost at 42 "

At 5 000 the boost is constant at 37" . Yes , it will work harder but apparently one has been run in South America for 2000 hrs and there was no more noticeable wear than in the 914. We will see as we go along. Done 60, 1 400 to go to 2 000! TBO is 1 200hrs

The RST performs much better than the 914 at our altitude. My M22 weighs the same as the Xenon but the 914 does not come close to the performance experienced with the RST . The 914 is very reliable. We have flown around the borders of SA , the entire Namibia , Mozambique , Angola etc etc. and have never had a problem other than clogged up fuel filters. The RST must still prove itself over here but so far so good.

The Xenon factory came out here to experience and evaluate our conditions firsthand and suggested the 8.8 meter rotors and RST engine for optimal performance and so far I have been very happy with their views and opinions.

Powerplant ROTAX 912 ULS ROTAX 914T ROTAX 912T ( RST)
Configuration 4 flat cylinders 4T 4 flat cylinders 4T 4 flat cylinders 4T
Power 100hp @ 5800 rpm 115 hp @ 5800 rpm 122 hp @ 5800 rpm
Starter Electric Electric Electric
Mechanical reducer 1: 2.43 1: 2.43 1: 2.43
Intake 2 Carburettors 2 Carbs + turbo 2 Carbs + turbo
Static Thrust 230 kg (615lbs) 260 kg (695lbs) 280 kg (750lbs)
Fuel Capacity 2 X 42 liters (2x11 gal) 2 X 42 liters (2x11 gal) 2 X 42 liters (2x11 gal)
Propeller DUC FC Windspoon DUC FC Windspoon DUC FC Windspoon

[Gyronaut]

Mooi bly darem mooi!
It really is a nice looking machine and with that kind of performance it must be a pleasure to fly!
Look forward to seeing it!

Len

[weedy]

Quote

I cruise at 5000 RPM = 100hp for best fuel ecconomy ( 16 to 18 lts per hour. ) I cruise my M22 at 5200 RPM ( 80% ) and burn 23 to 25 liters per hour. Was same on M16. ( 914 )


I wonder if it maybe is the prop giving the big improvement in efficiency / fuel consumption - 30 to 40%
They both use the same type of carbs and u need X amount of fuel to provide Y horsepower??

[Low Level]

Is the RST a Xenon conversion, or done by someone else ? Do you know if there are any mods in the engine, low compression pistons etc ?

Thinking about the cost. Buying a second hand hand 912 and doing the conversion against the cost of a new 914, and obviously wondering what will be the cost of a new RST ?

Price difference between 912 and 914 is R 122 000.

I wonder if it maybe is the prop giving the big improvement in efficiency / fuel consumption - 30 to 40%
They both use the same type of carbs and u need X amount of fuel to provide Y horsepower??

Drag is eating the hp (fuel). Xenon is a slippery little bugger. Think Len will confirm this with the Sycamore flying with doors on against doors off.

Dunno if Johan has compared, or flown without doors on the Xenon.

[weedy]

I have put my doors on for the winter, and noticed an improvement of about 1.5L per hour - 28inch mp x 5050rpm gives about 19L @ 80mph