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My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:59 pm
by FlyboyStu


Yes, it's the same flight as my last post, but this time here's the 'director's cut'. No fancy wipes, no music. Just 20 minutes of my favourite flight of 2019 in perfect weather shot with multiple cameras including the new GoPro Max, and complete with commentary and ATC.

I hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas one and all.

Stu

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:42 am
by JAFO
Merry Christmas Stu.

It looks like terrific fun though, I have to admit, if I'd have been in the back seat when you were doing the low-level stuff over the sand then it is PROB90 that some poo would have come out.

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 8:55 am
by FlyboyStu
JAFO wrote:.. if I'd have been in the back seat when you were doing the low-level stuff over the sand then it is PROB90 that some poo would have come out.


:shock: It's just as well that you weren't then :lol: I know the low level stuff looks crazy from a fixed wing pilot's perspective; anything lower than 1,500 feet scares me in the C182! But the implications of an engine out are less potentially catastrophic in the gyro because the rotor disc has plenty of energy at those speeds and because the landing speed and associated energy dissipation requirements are so much lower. Still, I don't go that low with anyone in the back seat - it's a risk I am willing to take, but not one I am willing to impose on any passenger.

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 1:04 pm
by JAFO
In that case I'll give it a go some time content in the certainty that nothing will come out.

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 1:57 pm
by Miscellaneous
FlyboyStu wrote:...it's a risk I am willing to take, but not one I am willing to impose on any passenger.

What if the passenger was more than happy, indeed willing you, to fly at that height in full knowledeg of the risks? :D

Enjoyed that more than the 'auto camera adjust' version.

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:32 pm
by Melanie Moxon
Great video, that looks like a lot of fun.

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 9:59 pm
by OCB
Yep, I just got the required p&q to watch the video - albeit on a small screen, but....

“yes please” :lol:

I’m curious to know what the human fatigue levels are like compared to fixed wing? Especially given the exposure to the elements - that’s maybe a bit tiring, especially if you end up getting stuck in a bit of rain?

Similar question for pre-flight prep - I imagine they are simple beasts to get ready for flight?

Obviously range and cruise speeds are quite different between the gyro and the 182, and if you’re doing 250NM across all kinds of congested airspace in the Cessna, it’s not the same as exiting and returning to home base in the gyro.

Finals does look you’d be the most hated bloke in the clubhouse if you consistently “pressed pause”, dropped a few hundred feet, then went for it again. Never had issues with someone chewing your rear ended off?

Re: My Favourite Gyro Flight of 2019

PostPosted:Thu Dec 12, 2019 11:53 pm
by FlyboyStu
OCB wrote:Yep, I just got the required p&q to watch the video - albeit on a small screen, but....

“yes please” :lol:

I’m curious to know what the human fatigue levels are like compared to fixed wing? Especially given the exposure to the elements - that’s maybe a bit tiring, especially if you end up getting stuck in a bit of rain?

Similar question for pre-flight prep - I imagine they are simple beasts to get ready for flight?

Obviously range and cruise speeds are quite different between the gyro and the 182, and if you’re doing 250NM across all kinds of congested airspace in the Cessna, it’s not the same as exiting and returning to home base in the gyro.

Finals does look you’d be the most hated bloke in the clubhouse if you consistently “pressed pause”, dropped a few hundred feet, then went for it again. Never had issues with someone chewing your rear ended off?


Fatigue - there is more vibration and you are more exposed to the elements (I’ve been caught in a rain shower but wouldn’t fly into expected rain conditions). But I’ve done flights of a couple of hours without any fatigue. There’s a lot more adrenaline to keep you going :D

Pre-flight actually takes me longer than the 182, mainly because the oily bits are so much more accessible so you can really check things thoroughly.

I wouldn’t fly a power-off approach with other traffic in the circuit; you can fly a standard (albeit slightly slower) fixed wing circuit with a powered approach.