If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Gyro question
I have a question:
(and the answer may be pretty basic) We all know that you can't land a gyrocopter in a crab angle because you might tip over. Why, then, don't they use castor type wheels, or some other wheel setup where all wheels can swivel in any direction? I think that this would allow the craft to roll in the direction of the momentum preventing tipping over, but would it completely eliminate handling on the ground? Could the rudder alone be enough to steer on the ground? -Just wondering |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
news.starpower.net wrote:
I have a question: (and the answer may be pretty basic) We all know that you can't land a gyrocopter in a crab angle because you might tip over. Why, then, don't they use castor type wheels, or some other wheel setup where all wheels can swivel in any direction? I think that this would allow the craft to roll in the direction of the momentum preventing tipping over, but would it completely eliminate handling on the ground? Could the rudder alone be enough to steer on the ground? -Just wondering Some gyroplanes do have a castering, or semi-castering front wheel, of course the mains don't castor, but why would you need them to? A x-wind landing in a gyro is not much different from one in an airplane. You apply cyclic into the wind to eliminate drift, and use rudder to align the nose with the runway. If the x-wind component excedes your limits, you can land on a taxiway, if permitted, or line up on a diagonal approach to the runway, or choose an alternate airport. Experienced gyro pilots can land accross most runways, if necessary. It is always a good idea to carry a bit more power when making a landing in a significant x-wind. It makes a go-around easier, and provides you with a little more time to get straightened out if caught by a gust. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Yeah, I know, it's kind of a silly question.
"Peter Wendell" wrote in message news:5AMxd.1906$iH.616@fed1read02... news.starpower.net wrote: I have a question: (and the answer may be pretty basic) We all know that you can't land a gyrocopter in a crab angle because you might tip over. Why, then, don't they use castor type wheels, or some other wheel setup where all wheels can swivel in any direction? I think that this would allow the craft to roll in the direction of the momentum preventing tipping over, but would it completely eliminate handling on the ground? Could the rudder alone be enough to steer on the ground? -Just wondering Some gyroplanes do have a castering, or semi-castering front wheel, of course the mains don't castor, but why would you need them to? A x-wind landing in a gyro is not much different from one in an airplane. You apply cyclic into the wind to eliminate drift, and use rudder to align the nose with the runway. If the x-wind component excedes your limits, you can land on a taxiway, if permitted, or line up on a diagonal approach to the runway, or choose an alternate airport. Experienced gyro pilots can land accross most runways, if necessary. It is always a good idea to carry a bit more power when making a landing in a significant x-wind. It makes a go-around easier, and provides you with a little more time to get straightened out if caught by a gust. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
news.starpower.net wrote:
Yeah, I know, it's kind of a silly question. "Peter Wendell" wrote in message news:5AMxd.1906$iH.616@fed1read02... news.starpower.net wrote: I have a question: (and the answer may be pretty basic) We all know that you can't land a gyrocopter in a crab angle because you might tip over. Why, then, don't they use castor type wheels, or some other wheel setup where all wheels can swivel in any direction? I think that this would allow the craft to roll in the direction of the momentum preventing tipping over, but would it completely eliminate handling on the ground? Could the rudder alone be enough to steer on the ground? -Just wondering Some gyroplanes do have a castering, or semi-castering front wheel, of course the mains don't castor, but why would you need them to? A x-wind landing in a gyro is not much different from one in an airplane. You apply cyclic into the wind to eliminate drift, and use rudder to align the nose with the runway. If the x-wind component excedes your limits, you can land on a taxiway, if permitted, or line up on a diagonal approach to the runway, or choose an alternate airport. Experienced gyro pilots can land accross most runways, if necessary. It is always a good idea to carry a bit more power when making a landing in a significant x-wind. It makes a go-around easier, and provides you with a little more time to get straightened out if caught by a gust. There aren't any silly questions I'm happy to answer any questions about gyroplane flight operations. Many people are confused about how they are actually flown and there really aren't many gyro pilots out there. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Many gyros have a prerotator. That is a link between the engine and the
rotor so the rotor can be sped up before you start the take-off run. For this prerotator you want wheels with brakes and no swivel to take the resulting moment (there's no tail rotor to take it). Other gyro designs might not have a prerotator, but have the undercarriage layout anyway so a prerotator can be installed later on. The rotor brake actually gives you similar problems if you have swivelling wheels. news.starpower.net wrote: I have a question: (and the answer may be pretty basic) We all know that you can't land a gyrocopter in a crab angle because you might tip over. Why, then, don't they use castor type wheels, or some other wheel setup where all wheels can swivel in any direction? I think that this would allow the craft to roll in the direction of the momentum preventing tipping over, but would it completely eliminate handling on the ground? Could the rudder alone be enough to steer on the ground? -Just wondering |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Vacuum Gyro Question | Jim Carriere | Home Built | 15 | January 22nd 05 03:04 AM |
VOR/DME Approach Question | Chip Jones | Instrument Flight Rules | 47 | August 29th 04 05:03 AM |
Newbie Question - Vacuum vs Electric | Bill Denton | Aerobatics | 1 | April 15th 04 11:30 PM |
Legal question - Pilot liability and possible involvement with a crime | John | Piloting | 5 | November 20th 03 09:40 PM |
Question about Question 4488 | [email protected] | Instrument Flight Rules | 3 | October 27th 03 01:26 AM |