"boB" wrote in message
...
Thanks Steve. That sounds like two forces working against each other. That
doesn't seem to be efficient as far as strain on the systems. Something
similar on my Sprint II with the engine and prop above the vertical CG. If
the engine quits or even when throttling down the nose pops up which
screwed up my landings early on. I had been fixed on the RAF2000 but
hadn't really looked at the competition before. I appreciate all the
advice.
boB,
SAG 70
Your welcome Bob! You're right, these forces are working against each
other, and not in a good way. Designs like this have been flown for years
and there are still people out there that insist that it's perfectly safe.
They may have learned to deal with it but the unfortunate fact is that too
many people have died because of the high thrust line designs that didn't
have to.
Personally, I wouldn't touch an RAF2000 with a 10 foot pole but the Groen
Bros version of it looks like a very nice alternative if you've really got
your heart set on a fully enclosed cabin. Of the more open designs around,
I'm really impressed with the Air Command. They are one of the few kit
manufacturers that had the guts and integrity to completely redesign their
gyros when it finally became clear what the high thrust line issues were
doing to the aircrafts stability. They don't sell anything now that's not
centerline thrust and they offer a very reasonable upgrade kit for those who
still have the older high thrust line gyros sitting in the barn. They also
issued, if I'm not mistaken, and air worthiness directive to all owners of
the old high thrust line machines, advising them to "not" fly until it's
been converted to centerline thrust!
Are you familiar with the PRA (Popular Rotorcraft Association)? They can be
found at
www.pra.org and are a great source of info on experimental gyros
and helicopters. Also, check out this forum if you're not already familiar
with it,
http://www.rotaryforum.com/index.php
Lots of really great people and good information. Just be aware that the
gyro folks can be, shall we say, "passionate," about their machines so it
sometimes helps to have a thick skin around there. ;-)
Best of luck,
Steve R.