SOLO flight rules

wrote in message ...

I don't mean to sound argumentative, but I need cold, hard facts and
not general rumors that the ship is dangerous. What is specifically
bad about the Scorpion? I realize that there are many unorthodox
things being done, but is that really bad?

I am basing my remarks on comments you made about the age and
condition of the kit.

I have not flown a Scorpion, nor do I intend to fly one. 'Unorthodox'
homebuilt helicopter design appeals to me about as much anal warts.
How many of these things are flying around? How experienced are the
owner pilots who fly them?

But getting back to the main point, I really do want to hear about
specific problems with the Scorpion. I want to correct these problems
as much as possible.

Forget the Scorpion design for now. The specific problems a

a) You are a neophyte helicopter pilot.
b) You are 'rebuilding' what sounds like a defunct homebuilt kit that
someone else gave up on.
c) You are trying to maximize your training dollar by considering,
even if by the longest stretch of your wildest late night fantasy,
flying your Scorpion to meet some of the aeronautical experience
requirements of your desired pilot certificate.
d) You intend to build, then fly, then maintain your homebuilt
helicopter with your current level of experience.

You sound like you're pretty mechanically inclined. I'm not. I'm
just a pilot. Yeah, I put a little time in on my own airplane and
help out on the annual. But that's airplanes. Helicopters are a
different story. The more I learn, the happier I am that I have
qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced mechanics around who give
our training fleet the TLC they need to be the safe and reliable
workhorses they are. These contraptions are amazingly complicated in
many respects, and surprisingly simple in others. Have you ever flown
test flight trying to gauge blade tracking? Can you track down a
vertical vibration problem? Can you even discern a normal vibration
from abnormal? Honestly, how could you? I say these things not to
belittle. I say them just to make you think. You want to be a test
pilot at 10 or 20 or 30 or whatever hours. I don't want to be a test
pilot at 1,500. Thanks, but no thanks.

My last word. If you pursue the path you're on, you must accept the
fact you'll be facing a vastly increased level of risk. There is a
very significant, very real chance that you will injured or, god
forbid, killed by this dream. Are you willing to forfeit your life
for a homebuilt helicopter?

I won't pound you any further on this. The decision is now yours.
Best of luck to you.

-Ryan

Thanks for your comments, however, I would like to add one thing about
what you said....

(Ryan Ferguson) wrote:

b) You are 'rebuilding' what sounds like a defunct homebuilt kit that
someone else gave up on.

The Scorpion was originally supplied as a kit made by Rotorway
Aircraft. It looks like this one is one of the earlier ones. The
basic design is almost exactly the same as the Rotorway Exec's
currently being sold. The Exec has a bigger engine, two places, a
beefed up frame and a better control system. However, it still uses
belts, chains, and the same basic hub design.

For this particular one, it apparently sat in the crates until about
10 years ago when it was finally assembled. There is plenty of
cosmetic stuff, but I do plan to strip it down to the frame, test and
rebuild everything.

Again, I appreciate your words of caution and rest assured that I
won't be taking any unnecessary risks. The ship will be balanced
before it gets to leave the ground. The necessary instructions came
with the kit.

Dennis H.



Dennis Hawkins
n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)

"A RECESSION is when you know somebody who is out of work.
A DEPRESSION is when YOU are out of work.
A RECOVERY is when all the H-1B's are out of work."

To find out what an H-1B is and how Congress is using
them to put Americans out of work, visit the following
web site and click on the "Exporting America" CNN news
video: http://zazona.com/ShameH1B/MediaClips.htm

Good on You Dennis! Just remember, It's just a machine, there's NO
Magic!!!!!!

Cam..