tips

BUILDERS TRICKS, TIPS, AND IDEAS

An On-line Community

One of the really gratifying aspects of the Gyrobee posting has been to watch the formation of a real community of builders dedicated to this project. It will be a real pleasure to meet some of you in person!

Rotorcraft Conference

Probably the best overall source of support and information on Gyrobee construction is the group of Gyrobee threads on Norm Helberg's Rotorcraft Conference. You can reach Norm's site by CLICKING HERE. Follow the links to the Conference section and you will find the Gyrobee Builder's area. Very active with lots of very useful input as well as productive links.

Richard Keller's Website

Richard Keller is a Gyrobee builder who has gone a step beyond, posting detailed builders notes, pictures of the Gyrobee airframe, and a bunch of other interesting stuff! Don't start cutting metal until you have toured RICH'S SITE in detail. See Builder's Notes (below)

Preston Gabel's Website

Preston hasn't started cutting metal yet, but he has transferred all the Gyrobee CADD drawings to a 3D-modeling CADD package. The computer uses the drawings to construct a realistic three-dimensional rendering of the components. The drawings posted on PRESTON'S SITE are fantastic! Encourage him to post a few more!

Rich Keller's Builder's Notes

Rich has done everyone a favor by carefully compiling "Builder's Notes" as he went along. What follows are some comments with respect to these notes, which you will find on his web-site (linked above):

SEATBELT. Rich has identified new LEAF part numbers for the seatbelt (13-00201) and shoulder harness (13-00701).

WASHERS. There is some variation in the labeling of standard 3/16 aircraft washers. Primarily, I have labeled them an AN960-316 but you will also find them labeled AN960-10 (in the LEAF catalog, for example). Both of these designations refer to the same washer!

LARGE AXLE BRACKETS. Bracket E1520 is no longer handled by LEAF but can be obtained from Aerotec.

SEAT AND COVER. The seat and cover are no longer available from LEAF. Several alternate models should work. The key factor is the angle of the seat back with the seat pan. If this angle is about 112-113 degrees, the seat pan will be level when the seat back is attached to the seat braces. A slightly smaller angle and the seat pan will angle up toward the front, which is not a problem. If the angle is much greater than 113 degrees, the seat pan angles down, which doesn't make me comfortable, as I like the seat to provide a feeling of security.

HARDWARE through ROD-END INSERTS. Covered in 18May98 on the REVISIONS page.

AN115-21 SHACKLES. These do have to be drilled out to 1/4 inch. Shackles for 1/4 are much too large and I didn't want to use 3/16 bolts.

LAP-BELT END FITTING - two are required!

Ralph E. Taggart (gyrobee@aol.com)