www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 3 2 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying We have the new improved Rotax 912 oil filteRs in stock. Benefits include improved filtration during cold start up and new anti back-flow valve. $19.95 Part # 825 012 laRge inventoRy of Rotax parts and accessories with same day shipping on in stock orders placed by 1:00 pm EST. Call 1-800-laRotax Parts: 863-655-5100 Service: 863-655-6229 www.lockwood.aero Phil lockWood Shopping for ROTAX just got easier Visit Lockwood Aviation’s newwebsite at www.Lockwood.aero We’ve revamped our website to take advantage of the latest in internet innovations and technology. More than 4,000 of our parts and supplies are now available for OnLine ShOpping! Using more than 2000 photos of engines, airframe parts, tools and supplies, our customers can completely configure and purchase Rotax Aircraft engines online — including the new 912 iS! USER FRIENDLY REAL-TIME ONLINE INVENTORY Executive Editor Subscriptions Classified Sales Vickie Betts (800) 867-5430 E-mail: vickie@easyflight.com Web site: www.psfmagazine.com Technical Editor Layout & Design Display Ad Sales Roy Beisswenger PO Box 38 Greenville, IL 62246 800-867-5430 roy@easyflight.com Publisher Sport Aviation Press, llc 16192 Coastal Hwy Lewes, DE, 19958 Photography Valerie Layne Jim Smith Cliff Tucker Graphic Artist Tim Dilliner FeatureWriters Zen Boulden Kai Bode Dr. Bruce H. Charnov John S. Craparo Phil Dietro Jeff Goin Greg Gremminger Michael Hudetz Jeff Hamann Geoff Hill Dan Johnson Doug Maas Ira McComic Jim Smith Jim Sweeney Willi Tacke © 2019 Sport Aviation Press llc Powered Sport Flying™ Magazine is published monthly by Sport Aviation Press llc, PO Box 38, Greenville, IL 62246, (800) 867-5430. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorials. Statements/opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Sport Aviation Press llc: Powered Sport Flying™ Magazine disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors. Periodicals Postage Paid number 000228 at Greenville, IL, 62246 and at an additional mailing office. postmaster: send address changes to: Sport Aviation Press, PO Box 38, Greenville, IL 62246. Volume 26, Number 2. Subscription Rates Annual subscription rates: $36.95 U.S. $48 Canada $90 International All monies US Funds Subscribe online at: www.PSFmagazine.com For more information call: (800) 867-5430 Welcome to another great, information-filled edition of Powered Sport Flying, the only print magazine left that still covers the lighter side of flight! This is the official magazine for (among other organizations) the United States Ultralight Association. Usually we try to bring the members organization news in addition to our standard fare. This issue is no different except that we have unfortunate news to report as well as the normal good news. We learned a few weeks ago that the current usua third-party insurance program was going to be ended by our carrier. The insurance issue has been a handful, as you might imagine. And since Roy and I are both on the usua Board of Directors, we are on the team working to get this issue resolved. You can read more about the situation in both a press release and in Roy’s column. Some of you have already gotten the ‘emergency letter’ which was mailed to those most immediately affected. I know that others have learned about this from Facebook and chat rooms. Please keep in mind that the usua Board of Directors is doing our best to fix this situation. And to those who have called, thank you for being understanding! In January, the Sebring Light Sport Expo was held for the 15th year at the Sebring, Florida, airport. Dan Johnson was there and has a day-by-day report for us. It sounds like except for some rain, everyone had a pretty good show! Across the Pond, Dave Unwin got to test fly a Eurofly Minifox (this is the plane on the cover). He had a great time, and wrote a good review of the plane. Doesn’t it just look like it would be an awesome way to fly?!? Stephanie Gremminger has a written version of husband Greg’s presentation of Gyro Jeopardy. This is a fun way to test yourself on information about gyros! Terry McConnell and Ben Harrison had an unusually memorable ending to a powered parachute flight that they took earlier this year! Like me, you probably saw some of the teasers that they posted on Facebook. I asked Terry to write the story up for us, which he kindly did. Roy’s Top 10 list for this issue concerns getting both yourself and your aircraft ready for the new flying season. After a short break in the story, Jeff Hamann is back with Part iii of his adventures flying along the coast of Colombia. I do enjoy looking at his photos! As always, there’s lots more for your reading pleasure. But for now, go out and get that plane ready if you’ve got one – you can read this issue once it’s too dark to fly. Be safe and enjoy! Editorial
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 5 4 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying FREE CATALOG! 1-877-4SPRUCE www.aircraftspruce.com 7 7 7 8 2 3 ROTAX 912 iS ROTAX 914 UL TURBO ROTAX 915 iS ROTAX ENGINE HEADQUARTERS The CPS Facility at the Corona Airport has the latest tools & equipment to service all Rotax engines. CPS also provides full service & maintenance on LSA’s. CALL 1-800-247-9653 • WWW.CPS-PARTS.COM BRYAN TOEPFER CPS Operations Manager California Power Systems 225 Airport Circle Corona, CA 92880 951-549-7786 24-Hour Fax: 951-372-0555 Tech Support Hotline: 951-317-8677 SALES • OVERHAUL SERVICES • ROTAX PARTS • ANNUAL INSPECTIONS • TECHNICAL SUPPORT • ROTAX CLASSES Press Pass As most members know, one of the important benefits usua has provided for many years has been access to inexpensive, third-party insurance. This has been accomplished by working with First Flight Insurance Group. They in turn have their insurance programs underwritten by other companies, in this case, Lloyd’s of London. The three organizations had put together a program that, for over twenty years, had successfully insured usua members so that they could gain access to airport hangars and some public flying events. Unfortunately, Lloyd’s has chosen to discontinue underwriting the insurance program. This news came suddenly and has both usua and First Flight Insurance Group working hard to come up with a replacement product for members. The good news is that if you are currently participating in the usua policy with First Flight Insurance Group, that insurance continues through the policy exportation date. The unfortunate news is that you won’t be able to renew your policy if it expires after April 19, 2019. If you don’t have an insurance policy right now, you will not be able to get one until we are able to put a new program in place. Here are a few questions and answers for you. Q: Does this have anything to do with an accident or a claim or something a member or usua did? A: Not at all. USUA pilots have been flying safely and there have been no claims. This doesn’t have anything to do with usua or the membership. It was just a business decision by Lloyd’s. Q: What can I do if I want insurance? A: First, if you have a policy in place, you still have insurance! This will only affect you when it comes time to renew. In the meantime, usua and First Flight are working on alternatives. If your renewal time is coming up quickly, you may want to explore other alternatives yourself. Q: Can I help? A: You may be able to. If you are aware of any insurance companies wanting to create or participate in a program, please pass the information along to the usua Board. Q: How can we find out more about what is going on? A: We will keep you informed, by mail or with notices printed in Powered Sport Flying Magazine. If you have any specific questions, our contact information is at usua.org. First Flight Insurance Group’s contact information can be found at firstflightinsurance.com. USUA Insurance Update
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 7 6 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying Press Pass James Ketchell, a real life action man, has departed on an attempt to be the first to set a speed record for circumnavigating the world in a gyroplane. This means covering a distance of 37,000 kilometers to complete the world record according to regulations set out by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Ketchell is making the attempt in a Magni gyroplane. As of this writing, he has begun his journey and has already reached the site of the aero Friedrichshafen show. His itinerary will take him through France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and into Russia. From there he plans to cross the Bering Straits to Alaska, and travel across Canada, the usa, Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands before heading back to his starting point at Popham Airfield in the UK. As part of his journey, he plans to “give talks in schools and to youth organizations in every country I pass through as I make my way around the world, sharing stories of fun and adventure!” James Ketchell is a serial adventurer, motivational speaker and Scouting ambassador. James became the first and only person to have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean; he has also successfully summited Mount Everest and cycled 18,000 miles around the world in what the media dubbed “The Ultimate Triathlon.” You can learn more about James, discover the organizations helping him make the journey, donate to his charities, and even track his progress real time by visiting his web site, jamesketchell.net. Gyro World Record Attempt Has Begun Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. announced that on March 1, 2019 they opened a distribution warehouse in West Chicago, Illinois, located in a 52,000 square foot warehouse. This is situated between the Du Page and Aurora airports. Aircraft Spruce Midwest will provide lower shipping charges and faster delivery to customers throughout the central portion of the United States. With regional distribution facilities in Corona, California (Aircraft Spruce West), Peachtree City, Georgia (Aircraft Spruce East), and West Chicago, Illinois (Aircraft Spruce Midwest), two day ground shipping is available to nearly all locations in the lower 48 states. Retail stores for order pickup are also available at all locations. More information is available at www.aircraftspruce.com or by calling 1-877-4SPRUCE. Aircraft Spruce Midwest Opens in Chicago
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 9 8 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying Light Sport Expo Sebring 2019: Heaven for Light Sport Aircraft & Sport Pilot-Eligible Kit Aircraft I always try to arrive early to a show. That is what I did this year for the Sebring Expo. And happily, the weather was good for the opening, with January temperatures in the mid 70s (23 C). Blue skies prevailed although the air was bumpy according to several pilots who flew airplanes in for display. While a good many airplanes were already here early, an equal number were still not on the grounds at 6 PM, so some hustling had to occur… and it did! I attend seven or eight airshows every year. I’ve done this for many years. I’m here to assure you that the night before opening, the show grounds are utter pandemonium with no possible hope in sight of having everyone in position and ready for business by morning. It can’t happen… yet it does! One of the most marvelous transformations to be seen is a lonely expanse of concrete ramp turning into a colorful, energetic, ultimately cool place to hang out, look at lots of pretty airplanes of all kinds, talk flying to your old pals and new friends, catch a forum, participate in a work shop, take a demo flight if you’re in the market — heck, take several flights. That’s one of the main reasons people come to events like Sebring and the main reason vendors are here with their shiny airplanes. It’s a match made in heaven and everyone is invited! Here’s the report I made for each day of the show. Sebring Day 1 — Blue Skies and Handsome Aircraft Draw Receptive Crowds Sebring Day One was true to form for the 15th running of this grandaddy of Light Sport and Sport Pilot Kit shows. Airport manager Mike Willingham told me opening day attendance was better than opening day last year. He and the entire Expo team certainly benefited from good weather, a tad windy, but blue skies and temperatures hitting 80° F (27°C). This was my first chance to talk to a lot of businesses since the first of the year. One bit of news was that the government shutdown appears (or ‘appeared’ since it was declared over for the time being during the show!) to be having some effect on parts of the industry. One example regards faa inability to make inspections so a vendor can get the Special Airworthiness certificate needed to complete delivery of a new special light sport aircraft (slsa) (meaning final payments cannot be collected, no small matter to many lsa or spe kit enterprises). However, few vendors actually introduced the topic, suggesting the bad news may be localized. Overall though, we heard a continued positive outlook as we surveyed at DeLand Showcase in early November last year when many in the business told us about the good year they had just finished. Here are some specific things I noticed on day one: Volunteer Army — As is necessary but not taken for granted was a large group of helpful volunteers. Airshows, even the giants like Oshkosh and Sun ‘n Fun, could not happen without such willing help, often people taking vacation time to put in many hours helping the details turn out right. thanks to each and every one of them! Cruiser Aircraft , the importer for Czech Sport Aircraft, offered their new SportCruiser lte, a lighter, simpler, much lower-cost version of the popular Light Sport Aircraft. Powered by a Rotax 912uls2 100 horsepower by Dan Johnson engine, the lte model has one Dynon hdx screen, cloth seats, and reduced weight. Marketing and sales manager Josh Scheid said the combination, priced in the low $140s, is aimed at flight schools looking to offer a modern new aircraft to students and reap very low operating costs. “A lot of primary training finds students throttled down doing patterns and burning only 2.5 gallons per hour of lower cost fuel,” Josh noted. He continued, saying they can increase equipment to suit a flight school’s need, including certified Garmin gear to allow ifr flight training. John Williams , the longtime leader of Titan Aircraft, brought one of his impressive T-51 Mustang kits and a Tornado (photo) that reveals this hot number’s long, lean lines. Tornado can now be called an evolved design. From personal experience I attest to its crisp handling and lively performance. In the heyday for two-place ultralights, before Light Sport Aircraft arrived on the scene, Tornadoes in various forms were among the most dashing aircraft at shows. Its taut fuselage was often compared to a fighter jet, motivating some creative builders to equip and paint their Tornadoes to enhance that imagery. SilverLight showed off the clean execution of their removable full enclosure. American Ranger AR1 boasts a very large, clean canopy that was optically superb; I saw no distortions when looking anywhere on its great expanse of acrylic. Designer and business owner Abid Farooqui explained that two people are needed for about ten minutes to remove the big enclosure for the open air flying that many enjoy in pleasant months. A few more minutes are needed to install a motorcycle-sized windscreen that transforms AR1 into the open tandem seater the company first offered. Last year SilverLight enjoyed a good year of business. Sebring Day 2— Evolving Market for Light Sport Aircraft… New or Used “Duck and cover” was a phrase to describe the morning on Thursday, Day Two, at Sebring. Rain that lasted until late morning dampened turnout and you can’t blame those who stayed home because tomorrow, Friday January 25th, looks to be much better. It will be cooler (by Florida standards, Titan Aircraft’s Tornado, looking super sleek even with tundra tires Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser LTE represented by Cruiser Aircraft
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 11 10 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying A pair of contrasting L600s were looking good on the Sebring show line. They’re sold by Aeropilot USA. Light Sport Expo 60°F) but clear skies are forecast. Plus, it’s Friday, the time to finish the work week out early and enjoy! “New or Used?” is a question pondered by vendors. Many businesses representing airframe manufacturers cater exclusively to the new aircraft sales. Many regard used aircraft, even their own brand, as competitors. Some, like Scott Severen of US Sport Planes, see used aircraft— especially for the Jabiru brand he represents for North America — as an alternate for his enterprise. He displayed two pristine Jabiru lsa with prices 50% under a new model. They are not the same as current new models but from my look, many buyers would find them highly desirable. Did I mention for half the price of new? Scott and other vendors have taken a more entrepreneurial approach to used aircraft, turning the sale of used lsa into a profit center to support their businesses rather than fighting futilely against the presence of a growing used fleet of lsa. “I earn more with a new plane but I can do fine with used,” Scott said. “My reasoning best serves the customer, too, as a pilot looking for new isn’ t interested in used and a customer who wants to spend less is motivated by a lower price.” Another veteran of the lsa business is John Hurst, who represented a pair of Breezers that also look very good despite being used. Breezer Aircraft of Germany has not had a U.S. representative for several years but existing ones can certainly be given some tender loving care (home page image). “I went through the airplanes from nose to tail,” said John, while noting the exceptionally good flying characteristics. Naturally, both Scott and John are also happy to supply brand new lsa with as many bells and whistles as you like. Scott has the whole Jabiru line for the entire usa and John represents Flight Design and its CT-series in the southeast U.S. on behalf of Flight Design usa. New Is Nice: A couple new airplanes that appeared to be drawing good attention were the Aeropilot L600 and the Magnus Fusion 212. L600 importer Deon Lombard said he's expecting his first with the Rotax 912iS. “The injected engine installation has been all worked out and the manufacturer keeps making airframe improvements,” said Deon. The two aircraft he exhibited have some hours on them criss-crossing the country from his base in Southern California, but these are two clean flying machines. This ten-year-old Jabiru can be had for half the price of a newmodel. This 2012 Breezer is seeking a new home. Support Our Advertisers Magnus is represented here at Sebring by Istvan Foldesi, who reports fully building the Fusion in the usa using parts fabricated in Hungary. The smooth composite — mostly carbon fiber construction with an elegant dual-taper wing — is making the rounds at airshows and attracting admiring looks, I have observed. At Sebring, company pilots were giving demo flights to prospective customers. (Magnus also supplied a yummy native Hungarian dessert — they literally transported a suitcase-full — and the treat was enjoyed by all exhibitors at Sebring’s exhibitor reception on Wednesday evening.) Other companies also told us about new models or upgrades coming in the near future, perhaps as soon as Sun ‘n Fun 2019. It looks to be an exiting new year for Light Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot Kits. By the end of the show, Dan got to fly the Magnus Fusion 212.
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 13 12 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying Light Sport Expo Sebring Day 3 — A Welcome Return of Blue Skies Brought Droves of Pilot Shoppers As Day Three arrived, blue skies returned to Sebring after a damp start on Day Two and with them came the best crowds of pilots and companions of any day so far… by far. Crowds were often so thick around aircraft that a picture barely showed the flying machine. It was a fun if chilly day and the mood of pilots and aircraft reps was upbeat. I was also informed that a number of paid sales went down and prospects are talking seriously about other purchases. Most aircraft vendors know a purchase of this size may warrant additional thought post-event but clearly some customers had come ready to deal. For years I’ve maintained that sector-specific shows like Sebring produce more sales per visitor than the big shows. Neither pilots nor vendors can miss Sun ‘n Fun or Oshkosh and still claim to be true-blue aviators. Yet events like Sebring, Midwest, and DeLand make connections between ready-to-buy pilots and aircraft sellers at a fairly consistent rate. Deals, Dreams, & Parties Infinity Power Parachutes — We talked with Frank Williams of Infinity Power Parachutes. He is taking over the company from Alvie Wall but the founder will stay involved to help. They’ve been working together as Frank transitioned into the business. We reviewed the current line-up of Infinity models. Their Challenger is a single-place, Rotax 503-powered, true Part 103 aircraft that sells ready-to-fly complete with big off-runway tires, 375 square-foot canopy, and engine instrumentation for a mere $17,000. Given that the average price of a new car in America is now reported at $33,000, I’d say Challenger qualifies as a bargain aircraft. You may not think of yourself as a powered parachute pilot but my personal experience is these aircraft offer the best visibility in aviation combined with slow flying speeds (30 mph) that allow you to thoroughly absorb the view. The two Commander models are powered either by the Rotax 582 (65 horsepower) or the Rotax 912 (80-100 horsepower). These tandem two-place aircraft use a 500 or 550 square-foot canopy. Like Challenger, Infinity offers the two Commanders as ready-to-fly Special lsa. Delivery takes only four weeks and your aircraft will be delivered factory test-flown. All Infinity models use a dual three-inch angle beam structure that provides exceptional strength. Frontal bars preferred by some pilots are not needed for structural integrity, said Frank. Infinity showed off aircraft like this Commander 912. Fall in love all over again with Titan Aircraft’s T-51 three-quarter scale Mustang Support Our Advertisers Titan Aircraft T-51 — On Day One, I wrote about Titan Aircraft‘s sleek two-place kit called Tornado. Today I want to show you an image of their subsequent — but completely different —T-51, a Mustang replica that is amazingly true to form. Look for yourself. I had quite the experience flying the original prototype many years back and I can attest this is one interesting flying machine. I’ve also flown in a striking Stewart P-51 lookalike powered by a 450-horsepower Corvette engine but I’ve never gone aloft in a full military North American P-51 with 1,695 horsepower. However, for capable kit builders T-51 can deliver an intense sensation of nostalgia and a taste of what it must have been like for hundreds of twenty-something fighter jocks in World War II. Hoorah! Although T-51 is not a Light Sport Aircraft, it was released in the same year of the very first slsa acceptances by faa, in 2005. Duc Propellers usa — After reliving my vivid Mustang experience I needed to relax. What better way to do that than to attend the Duc Propellers grand opening party celebrating the French prop maker’s new usa headquarters at the Sebring airport. The new facilities will provide North American sales, service, and maintenance for the Duc line of props. A spacious hangar has been leased at Sebring with offices and work areas provided by the airport. Lead by their capable outreach man, Michael Dederian, Duc has made great inroads into the Light Sport and Sport Pilot Kit space. At the kick-off party, Duc assembled an impressive number of airplanes from the Expo — each fitted with Duc props, of course — providing a mini-airshow right outside their quarters. I estimate around 250 attended their party, which was very professionally organized and catered. Go, Duc!
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 15 14 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying Light Sport Expo Sebring Day 4 —Wrapping Up The final day of the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo brought good flying conditions until mid-afternoon when light precipitation returned. The good start allowed me to fly two aircraft, the MagnumAircraft all-carbon-fiber Fusion 212 and the fully enclosed SilverLight Aviation American Ranger AR1 gyroplane. One surprise arrival was Aeromarine lsa‘s Mermaid. Remember this model? This Chip Erwin creation was really the forerunner of the modern lsa seaplane category. Before Mermaid, we had Progressive Aerodyne‘s Searey and Aero Adventure‘s Aventura. Both those models have been upgraded for the time of astm standards compliance but early in the new millennium it was accurate to call them “ultralight seaplanes” built of gusseted aluminum structures covered with sewn Dacron surfaces. When Mermaid arrived about as the Light Sport Aircraft sector was given birth by faa’s new regulation, this all-metal, clean sheet design wowed crowds at Sun ‘n Fun. Many responded by putting down deposits. For complex reasons I won’t go into here, Mermaid never made the splash many anticipated but neither has it disappeared. For the final day, Mermaid came and replaced another lsa seaplane that chose to exit their space early. The intriguing shoulder-wing design steadily attracted interested pilots. Mermaid was the first lsa seaplane to declare compliance with astm standards and was #28 catalogued on our popular slsa List. It was fun to see Mermaid again. Gone Flying… for You! Magnum Fusion — Magnum Aircraft usa is the manufacturer of a Hungarian design called Fusion 212. Designed in 2013 with first flight in 2015, and faa acceptance as a Special lsa in 2017, Fusion is one of the newest aircraft in the slsa List, in the #146 spot. The U.S. assembly site brings in carbon components fromHungary but the American operation is acknowledged by faa as the official producer of the lsa version, according to boss Istvan Foldesi. This all-carbon-fiber design is a low wing side-by-side model with dashing performance featuring quick climb rates with the Rotax 912 uls. Fusion cruises at 110-115 knots and exhibited very accommodating handling. SilverLight AR1 — To handle this flight review a bit differently, I asked pilot/instructor Greg Spicola to pretend I was a new gyroplane student. That’s close to accurate as I have about four hours under my belt in a variety of gyroplanes. However, except for a few differences associated with a spinning wing, AR1, like all gyroplanes, can be flown essentially as you’d operate a fixed-wing lsa. “Power before pitch” was a mantra Greg drilled into me and that with a few other differences — such as operating the rotor pre-rotator and learning to brake the rotor disk before making abrupt turns on the ground—are easy enough to learn. It only takes a bit of ‘unlearning’ so one’s fixed-wing habits don’t result in the wrong actions by the pilot. These aircraft are special in many ways — the ability to descend vertically (although not land that way) and to make seriously tight turns about a point — that combine with massive visibility at affordable prices… all of which explain some of the growing popularity of these aircraft types. Again, look for many more details and views when the video emerges from the edit suite. As the show wound down, I talked with Sebring Airport Executive Director Mike Willingham and Executive Assistant Bev Glarner. The longtime team are the key players behind the event these days but I also asked questions about the airport itself. The short version is that they are very happy with this year’s event and with the visibility the event has given the airport. Beyond providing a great venue for light sport aircraft manufacturers and future owners, it is helping make Sebring a gateway for international businesses in the United States.• An unanticipated event on Sebring’s closing day was the arrival of the somewhat hidden-fromview Aeromarine LSA Mermaid LSA seaplane, the first such to win faa acceptance as a SLSA. SilverLight Aircraft’s American Ranger AR1 gyroplane with full enclosure. USUA News Weight Shift Control • Claim Number: 18612 • Sub-Class: rwl1t / Microlights: Weight-shift Control / Landplane / Flown with one person / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Not applicable • Type of Record: Distance in a straight line without engine power • Course/Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire /United Kingdom) • Performance: 34.54 km (21.46 miles) • Pilot: David Broom (United Kingdom) • Aircraft: 3DC / Grif Italia powered by Ciscomotors C-max 175 • Date: 06/15/2018 • Previous Record: No record set yet. Powered Parachute • Claim Number: 18760 • Sub-Class: rpl2t / Paramotors: Paraglider Control / Landplane / Flown with two persons / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Not applicable • Type of Record: Distance in a straight line without landing • Course/Location: Krakow (Poland)–Zakrzewo (Poland) • Performance: 427.07 km (265.36 miles) • Pilot: Krzysztof Romicki (Poland) • Members: Wojciech Strzyzakowski (Poland) • Aircraft: Hadron Cabrio 34 / Dudek powered by Polini Thor 250 • Date: 10/17/2018 • Previous Record: 406.99 km (252.89 miles) (02/24/2018) Setting a Record If you are in the United States and would like to set an aviation world record, you should first read the current FAI Sporting Code. For Microlights, it is called Section 10 and can be downloaded for no charge from the microlight section of www.fai.org For Rotorcraft, the part of the Sporting Code you need to refer to is Section 9. It can also be downloaded for no charge. Then, contact the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) to learn more about how you can set your own record! Visit them at www.naa.aero World Records and Attempts FAI has ratified the following Class R (Microlights) World records. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the National Aeronautic Association, the United States Ultralight Association and Powered Sport Flying Magazine all congratulate the Pilots on their splendid achievements.
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 17 16 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying USUA News Airplane • Claim Number: 18757 • Sub-Class: ral2t / Microlights: Movable Aerodynamic Control / Landplane / Flown with two persons / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Not applicable • Type of Record: Distance in a closed circuit with limited fuel • Course/Location: Nalivaykovka (Ukraine) • Performance: 209.9 km ( miles) • Pilot: Tymofii Iakovliev (Ukraine) • Members: Roman Huzii (Ukraine) • Aircraft: Aeroprakt-40 / Aeroprakt Ltd powered by Rotax 912 • Date: 10/17/2018 • Previous Record: 202 km (126 miles) (08/23/2000– Patrick Watermann, Switzerland) Airplane • Claim Number: 18758 • Sub-Class: ral2t / Microlights: Movable Aerodynamic Control / Landplane / Flown with two persons / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Not applicable • Type of Record: Distance over a closed circuit without landing • Course/Location: Nalivaykovka (Ukraine) • Performance: 1,022.67 km (635.46 miles) • Pilot: Yuriy Yakovlyev (Ukraine) • Members: Anna Iakovlieva (Ukraine) • Aircraft: Aeroprakt-40 / Aeroprakt Ltd powered by Rotax 912 • Date: 10/18/2018 • Previous Record: 616 km (383 miles) (08/23/2000– Patrick Watermann, Switzerland) Airplane • Claim Number: 18759 • Sub-Class: ral2t / Microlights: Movable Aerodynamic Control / Landplane / Flown with two persons / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Not applicable • Type of Record: Speed over a closed circuit of 1,000 km (621 miles) • Course/Location: Nalivaykovka (Ukraine) • Performance: 121.1 km/h (75.2 mph) • Pilot: Yuriy Yakovlyev (Ukraine) • Members: Anna Iakovlieva (Ukraine) • Aircraft: Aeroprakt-40 / Aeroprakt Ltd powered by Rotax 912 • Date: 10/18/2018 • Previous Record: No record set yet. Fai has received the following Class R (Microlights) World record claims. The details shown below are provisional. When all the evidence required has been received and checked, the exact figures will be established and the record ratified (if appropriate.) Powered Paraglider • Claim Number: 18864 • Sub-Class: rpf1t / Paramotors: Paraglider Control / Foot-launched / Flown with one person / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Male • Type of Record: Distance in a straight line without landing • Course/Location: Columbia, qld (Australia) • Performance: 1,132.7 km (703.8 miles) • Pilot: Lauri Kadakas (Estonia) • Date: 03/09/2019 • Current Record: 1,105.0 km (686.6 miles) (04/23/2007–Ramon Morillas Salmeron, Spain) Support Our Advertisers Powered Paraglider • Claim Number: 18882 • Sub-Class: rpf1t / Paramotors: Paraglider Control / Foot-launched / Flown with one person / Thermal Engine • Category: Not applicable • Group: Female • Type of Record: Distance over a closed circuit without landing • Course/Location: Cervera–Caspe– Barbastro–Cervera (Spain) • Performance: 330.00 km (205.05 miles) • Pilot: Karen Skinner (Spain) • Date: 03/23/2019 • Current Record: 130.3 km (81.0 miles) (08/17/2011–Edina Sz. Koleszár, Hungary) The Aeroprakt-40
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 19 18 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying What Is Happening Where One of the best ways to get started with flying is to visit others already involved in the sport. And one of the most relaxed ways to do that is by participating in fly-ins and other events. You can normally find someone there who will be glad to help you and get you started in the right direction. If you would you like to see your event listed here, visit www.psfmagazine.com/list-your-flying-event. May 9-12, 2019 Byrd's 15th annual Spring Backcountry Fly-in. Byrd’s Backcountry Airstrip, Ozark, Arkansas. Grass runway along the Mulberry River in Arkansas. Beautiful scenery in the heart of the Ozarks. Riverfront restaurant, cabin reservations, RV hookups, under-wing camping, canoeing and rafting, trails, and large restrooms with hot showers. Enjoy breathtaking flying in the Ozarks. All pilots and aircraft welcome. Bring gear for non-flying activities too, including ATV trail riding, waterfall hikes, fly fishing, and campfire cookouts. For more information call (479) 6674066. www.byrdsadventurecenter.com MAY 4-5, 2019 Alaska State Aviation Trade Show and Conference. Anchorage, Alaska. Over 275 aviation exhibitors featuring the latest technology, state-of-the-art products, new innovations and comprehensive safety conference. Indoor & Outdoor Static Displays featuring every type of aircraft – sport, general aviation, vintage, experimental, commercial, corporate and military. Since 1997. Hosted by Alaska Airman Association www.greatalaskaaviationgathering.org. Calendar May 16-18, 2019 Carolina BarnStormers Barry Daze. Anson County Airport, Wadesboro, North Carolina. This is a regional fly-in with participants generally from the Southeastern states. It is free-form, and there is no specific schedule of events, but it is a very worthwhile visit for both beginner and seasoned gyroplane enthusiasts due to the variety of machines and usual attendees. It also has value for fixed-wing pilots. For more information, visit peachstaterotorcraft.org May 16-19, 2019 Bad Apple Flyers. Andersonville, Georgia. Break out of winter and join us in southern Georgia for our second annual PPG fly-in. RV hookups and tent camping are available at this well maintained field located among rural farmland. badappleshodgesfieldflyin.com. May 18, 2019 from 8 AM-4 PM Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Company East Customer Appreciation Day. Peachtree City, Georgia. This is the time of year when we go all out by offering spectacular discounts on our most popular products and provide a chance for our loyal customers to meet our vendors. So come join the fun and get a chance to win big prizes. Enjoy a free grilled hot dog and cold soda on us! For more information visit www.aircraftspruce.com May 20-27, 2019 14th Annual Memorial Day Fly-In 2018 “The Endless Foot Drag". Fredonia Airport, Fredonia, Kansas. Paramotor instructor Michael Holliday and the city of Fredonia are hosting this event at the Fredonia airport. There will be aerial formations, foot drags, bands, food, and more! www.endlessfootdrag.com June7-9, 2019 Southern Minnesota Airport Meetup. Sleepy Eye Municipal Airport, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Open to Light Sport, Ultralight and anyone interested in either. Pot luck on Saturday noon. Dry camping on the grounds with bathroom and water available on site. Call Ed Engels at (507) 828-9134 or email ednjean2001@yahoo.com June 18-22, 2019 34th Annual Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven Fly-In. Piper Memorial Airport, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Educational Forums, Static Displays, Food Vendors, Exhibitors, Flying Contests, Poker Run, Local Fly-Out Destinations, Camping, Live Entertainment, Movies, Airplanes. Lots of Antique and Classic Airplanes on Display. Piper Aviation Museum Located on the Airport. (570) 893-4200 www.sentimentaljourneyfly-in.com June 22, 2019 from 8 AM-3 PM Aircraft Spruce Canada Customer Appreciation Day. Aircraft Spruce Canada, Brantford Municipal Airport, Brantford, Ontario. This is the time of year when we go all out by offering spectacular discounts on our most popular products and provide a chance for our loyal customers to meet our vendors. So come join the fun and get a chance to win big prizes. Enjoy a free grilled hot dog and cold soda on us! For more information visit www.aircraftspruce.com July 12-14, 2019 Grass Roots Fly-in. Chesaning, Michigan. Howard Nixen Airport (50G). Sponsored by the Chesaning Sport Pilot Association, MULA, and Great Sails. Free camping Friday through Sunday. Fireworks Saturday and pancake breakfast on Sunday. Contact Malcolm Brubaker (989) 513-3022. July 19-20, 2019 PreOsh Wingfest Fly-In/Drive-In. Cushing Field, Sheridan, Illinois. Enjoy a celebration for "very light aviation". For trike pilots, instructors, dealers and enthusiasts. Contact Mike Hudetz at (630) 664-1892 or for more info visit www.airsportster.com July 22-28, 2019 2019 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The world’s largest airshow features a week-long schedule of forums, activities, and flights geared to every facet of aviation, including ultralights and light sport aircraft. www.airventure.org July 30-August 3, 2019 Popular Rotorcraft Association Convention 2019. Mentone, Indiana. The annual convention for the pra features gyroplanes and helicopters. If you are interested in gyros, this is the place to visit to learn about instruction, aircraft, and more. Visit www.pra.org August 10-17, 2019 2019 FAI World and Continental Championships. Ignalina, Lithuania. This world championship event will offer competitions single and two place powered paragliders, powered parachutes, gyroplanes, airplanes and weight shift control trikes. www.emc2019.net August 16-18, 2019 2019 Balloon and Airplane Festival. Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. Anything that involves humans and machines in the air is still our focus: Airplanes, hot air balloons, ultralights, warbirds, drones, and more!. www.arlingtonflyin.org Support Our Advertisers
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 21 20 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying SEE WHAT’S NEWAT SPORT COPTER! 34012 Skyway Dr Scappoose, OR 97056 (503)543-7000 information@sportcopter.com www.sportcopter.com Support Our Advertisers What Is Happening Where September 5-7, 2019 Midwest LSA Expo. Mt. Vernon Outland Airport, Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Learn about the LSA industry including the aircraft, available engines, and LSA performance. Find the LSA’s, for you! On site restaurant with nearly sixty other restaurants in the area. Over 1,111 hotel rooms locally. www.mountvernonaviationexpo.com September 12-14, 2019 Sho-Me Chute Flyers Annual Fly-In. Baugh Flight Park, Reeds, Missouri. All aircraft welcome. We have a 2600 ft. runway. Food on site. We sponsor Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer. Clubhouse with showers and camping. (417) 825-5353 www.baughflightpark.com September 20-21, 2019 28th Annual Zenith Open Hangar Day & Fly-In Gathering. Zenith Aircraft factory, Mexico Memorial Airport (KMYJ). Aviation enthusiasts, especially builders and owners of Zenith Aircraft kit planes, are invited to drive or fly-in for the day. The Zenith Aircraft kit production facilities will be open for factory tours and Zenith's factorydemonstrator kit aircraft will be on display. Workshop activities, presentations and more. Visit: www.zenithair.com September 27-29, 2019 Ken Brock Freedom Fly-In. El Mirage Dry Lake, El Mirage, California. This is the largest homebuilt rotorcraft fly-in in the west. The fly-in is hosted by the Popular Rotorcraft Association’s Chapter One. We do not “run” the fly-in, but only set the date and send out the invitation to both pilots and spectators. As the name Freedom Fly-in implies, all aircraft are welcome and celebrates our freedom to fly. www.pra-1.org September 28, 2019 from 7AM-3PM Aircraft Spruce West - Customer Appreciation Day. Corona, California. Spectacular discounts on our most popular products and provide a chance for our loyal customers to meet our vendors. So come join the fun and get a chance to win big prizes. Enjoy a free southern smokin' cookout & soda on us! For more information please call (951) 372-9555 or (800) 861-3192 www.aircraftspruce.com
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 23 22 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying by Stephanie Gremminger Blade regions in vertical autorotation descent Force vectors in vertical autorotation descent Gyroplane Review Gyroplane Jeopardy! Who hasn’t dreamed of being a contestant on America’s most watched game show, Jeopardy?! We had a little Jeopardy fun at the 2019 Illinois Ultralight/Light Sport Safety Symposium when we played a round of Gyro Jeopardy, so we thought we would bring you our home edition so you could play along. This will be our first installment of the game. In true Jeopardy fashion, you would have to answer in the form of a question, but not in this version, since some of the questions would be pretty long! Let’s get started Alex! Audience, please do not shout out your answers. Let’s reserve that for our contestants. FOR 25 POINTS: WHAT POWERS GYROPLANE ROTORS IN FLIGHT? The rotor is not powered by the engine, it is made to spin by aerodynamic forces, through a phenomenon called autorotation. Now what causes the rotor to spin, or ‘autorotate?’ The simple explanation is that the wind passing through the tilted rotor disk gives it its power. Think of those maple seeds that spin as they fall. The air is the only thing that makes them spin—and if they weren’t spinning, they’d fall faster. FOR 50 POINTS: DURING AUTOROTATION, THE ROTOR DISK IS DIVIDED INTO THREE REGIONS. NAME THEM. The stall region includes the about 25 percent of the inboard portion of the blade radius. Because the inner portion of the blades are moving slower, the relative wind angle of attack on the inner portion of the blades is above the stall angle of attack – stalled and not contributing to upward lift. The driving region comprises about 45% of the middle portion of the blade radius. The total aerodynamic lift vector in this region is mostly upward but is inclined slightly forward of the axis of rotation. This forward inclination provides forward pull to drive or pull the rotation of the blade forward. The driven region is nearest to the blade tips and normally consists of about 30 percent of the rotor disk. The total aerodynamic lift vector in this region is also upward but inclined slightly aft of the rotating axis. This aft inclination tends to hold back the rotation of the rotor blade. (See image on facing page, upper left.) When the rotor rpm increases to the point where the aft pull of the Driven region balances the forward pull of the Driving region, the rotor maintains that rpm. The three regions are constantly adjusting their areas according to the load on the whole rotor. Different loads require changes in the rotor disk Angle of Attack and subsequently the Angle of Attack of the relative wind on the rotor blades and the lift vector inclination. Therefore, the Rotor rpm is also adjusting to find the new balance point of the Driving and Driven blade regions. Both the Driving and the Driven regions are creating the upward lift which supports the aircraft in flight.
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 25 24 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying FOOTHILL SPORT AVIATION Cameron Park CALIFORNIA WOODS AVIATION Watts Woodland Airport CALIFORNIA LONE STAR MAGNIGYRO Taylor Municipal Airport TEXAS MAGNI FLIGHT LLC Jack Edwards Airport (KJKA) Alabama CAPE COPTERS Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport MISSOURI MAGNI GYRO U.S.A. Perryville Municipal Airport MISSOURI MAKERS OF EXPERIENCE U.S.A. high-quality Italian products, likeMagni gyroplanes, in ITALIAN FLYING TECHNOLOGY MAGNI GYRO s.r.l. - Tel. +39 0331 274816 - Fax+39 0331 274817 - www.magnigyro.com- info@magnigyro.com Support Our Advertisers The relative wind encountered by the advancing blade is increased by the forward speed of the gyro, while the relative wind speed acting on the retreating blade is reduced by the gyro’s forward airspeed. Therefore, as a result of the relative wind speed, the advancing blade side of the rotor disk can produce more lift than the retreating blade side. (See the image to the right.) During forward flight the individual rotor blades, when compared to each other, are operating at unequal relative wind airspeed. This dissymmetry of relative wind increases at higher gyroplane airspeeds. And, if not somehow compensated, there would be higher lift on the advancing blade than on the retreating blade. This raises the question what is the effect of unequal relative wind on the advancing and retreating blades? Precession and blade cyclic ‘teetering’ action compensate for the dissymmetry of lift. So, it can be said there is no dissymmetry of lift. But there actually is a dissymmetry of relative wind. FOR 50 POINTS: NAME THREE EXAMPLES OF AUTOROTATION. You may have come up with more, but here’s three right off the top… 1. Maple tree seed (did you not read question one?) 2. An airplane in a flat spin and 3. When talking to newbies about gyros, I always like to tell them that helicopters become a gyroplane when their engine quits— pilot must lower collective and flatten blades to put the rotor in autorotation before it gets too slow. A gyroplane is always in autorotation. FOR 25 POINTS: WHEN DOES A GYROPLANE ROTOR BECOME A ‘WING?’ And the answer is…when rotor rpm is high enough for the rotor to lift the nose. My first gyro instructor (not my husband Greg, incidentally!) always said you don’t have to concentrate on the rotor tack. Look up, when you see the individual blades turn into a spinning blur, you’re probably ready to release the pre-rotator and give full throttle. Seconds later, the nose wheel will lift and the machine is ready for flight. The rotor tells the pilot it is a ‘Wing’ and ready to fly when it lifts the nose. FOR 25 POINTS: IN A RELATED QUESTION, HOW DOES A SPINNING ROTOR (DISK) CREATE LIFT? Our diagram provides a more extensive explanation, but simply put, lift is caused by the rotating wing deflecting the air downward. When the mass (total weight of all air molecules) of the air deflected downward equals the weight of the gyroplane, the gyroplane is in level flight. This is exactly what a fixed-wing airfoil does as well. See the images below. FOR 50 POINTS: WHY IS A GYROPLANE SO SENSITIVE TO WIND TURBULENCE? Ah, trick question! Gyroplanes are not that sensitive to the wind, to a point. Just think about it. The outer leading edge of a rotor is creating most of the lift by moving at speeds over 300 mph. So, a 20 mph wind gust is a much smaller percentage of the rotor’s relative wind and a lot less affected. But, a 20 mph gust on a fixed wing traveling at 100 mph is much more affected by that same wind gust. You can look at it as a rotor with a much smaller ‘wing’ area than a fixedwing. It has a much higher ‘wing loading’ and penetrates wind gusts much easier. It is absolutely more comfortable to fly in higher winds in a stable gyroplane compared to a fixed-wing. But, that’s not to say you don’t need more advanced skills to handle high winds. A low time gyro pilot obviously should not fly in high winds until his/her skill level matches the challenge. FOR 100 POINTS: DESCRIBE ‘DISSYMMETRY OF LIFT’ Well, my ‘go to’ source Wikipedia says dissymmetry of lift in rotorcraft aerodynamics refers to an uneven amount of lift on opposite sides of the rotor disc. It is a phenomenon that affects helicopters and gyroplane rotors in forward flight. My other ‘go to’ source, Greg Gremminger, has a little more involved answer. Try this on for size… dissymmetry of lift is a higher relative wind on the advancing blade than on the retreating blade. However, it might be more correct to refer to this as a ‘dissymmetry of relative wind.’ Production of lift. Airflow through the rotor system on a gyroplane.
www.PSFmagazine.com | March-April 2019 | 27 26 | March-April 2019 | Powered Sport Flying n Parts, Repair, Overhaul n Maintenance n A&P Technicians on Staff n Large Inventory of Engines LEADING EDGE AIR FOILS LLC The Central USA independent SERVICE CENTRE PSF57 Check Our Our Easy-to-Use WEBSTORE at leadingedgeairfoils.com 1216 North Road Lyons, WI 53148 1.800.532.3462 Check the Mailing Label on the Back Cover to See if Your Subscription is Running Out Gyroplane Review FOR 50 POINTS: HOW DOES THIS DIFFERENCE IN WIND – DISSYMMETRY OF WIND – AFFECT THE FLIGHT OF THE GYRO? Take a look at the image above and I'll help you out here with some choices: A) Try to turn? B) Fly tilted? C) Raise its nose? D) No effect? If you answered D, you are correct! There is no effect on the flight attitude of the gyroplane. It does not fly tilted. It does not try to turn. And it only raises or lowers its nose with pilot commanded airspeed changes similar to a fixed wing when the pilot raises the aircraft’s nose to slow down and lowers the nose to go faster. The picture is a subliminal suggestion for you to choose the wrong answer. In flight, there is no difference in attitude between a gyroplane and an airplane in forward flight or with changes in airspeed. Tally up your score and write down how much you wish to wager on your final jeopardy question. And the question is…. WHY DOES A GYROPLANE ROTOR ‘TEETER’? The rotor ‘teeters,’ see-saws on it’s teeter pivot, to correct for dissymmetry of lift that would otherwise be caused by the dissymmetry of relative wind in forward flight. In translational flight (forward or any direction), the advancing blade has more lift and rises. The retreating blade has reduced lift and descends. But, the advancing blade’s lift is reduced as it rises due to its reduced relative wind Angle of Attack as it rises. The retreating blade lift is increased as it descends due to higher relative wind Angle of Attack. The rotor blades are essentially rising from rear to front on the advancing side and lowering from front to rear on the retreating side. This is the blade ‘teeter.’ The rotor disk is actually flying a bit higher in the front than in the back at higher airspeeds. This is called rotor disk ‘blowback’ to help visualize what is happening. So, time to add up your points. How did you do? Next time, Gyro Jeopardy questions will delve more into how the autorotating rotor actually accomplishes its miracles automatically, without active attention by the pilot. That works for me—this stuff makes my head spin! The less I have to think about, the better!•
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