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 UP Dated
Jan 25th, 1998

Remember
Good Helicopters (even kits) Aren't Cheep.
More Important,
Cheep Helicopters Aren't Safe
and Can/Have KILLED.
If you think you can get a SAFE 2 seater for a tad more than 50 thousand,
when all other competitors are selling similar products for around 65k$,
than I'm also quite sure you believe in the Tooth Fairy
and should Keep Looking Under Your Pillow.

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Sport Helicopter n Pilot Global Information Exchange
you feel it to be a worth wile web site and  are willing to contribute 1 dollar to insure it's continued existence on the InterNet by helping pay SHnPGIE's out of  pocket expenses,
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I own a Rotorway Exec, which I am busy rebuilding as a turbine powered craft.

I would like to know how Vladimiro Lidak achives tail rotor authority using hydrostatic drive? Since he mentions fixed pitch, is he only varing the tail rotor speed via the variable hydrostatic pump?

If anyone knows the answer or can let me have his addres I would appreciate it.

Best Regards and thank you, Robin L'homme .

Hi
I was hoping if you could tell me if you have heard any bad things about the aw-95 or vortecs version as I have yet to find anyone how has built and flown one of  these machines I live on a small property out side of Sydney in Australia , any info would be great . Paul

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 I honestly don't know if all the children I saw today had a better time seeing me/Santa or if I had a better time flying Miss Nina in a Santa suit.

The next two farms I landed at I only set down long enough to, friction up, wave than be off, perhaps 60 seconds. Needless to say, lots of smiles n perhaps mine was the biggest.

Click Here for the flight details n more fotos

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CH-7 Angel For Sale
Pictured to the left
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It's been a time since the fly in at Cullman Alabama last fall............

We had great weather , a restaurant on top of a new FBO, friendly people all around and plenty of helicopters flying.

Approximately 6 or 7 Schweizers, 2 Bell 47's, 2- jet rangers, 1-Brantley, 2-Mini 500's, 2- R-22's, 1-Exec, and a Gazelle.

Want to guess which one stole the show?    Three guesses and the first two don't count. Of Course the Gazelle...go figger... 165 mph fly-by at twenty feet off the deck with a cyclic climb to 2-3 thousand feet AGL in seconds. Four people on board ....what a MACHINE. I had the pleasure to be one of the four and except aforementioned maneuver flew the machine for about 1/2 hour doing all sorts of maneuvers. DID I say WHAT-A-MACHINE? The owner then gave all the comers to the show a ride for about 3 hours.

Another buddy of mine that also gives rides and I shuttled about 4 people each turn
around.

With all the stuff going on it's hard to say what all people were doing. Visiting & going goo-goo eyes at every body elses stuff/machines.

I Started this letter in Nov. and now it's Dec. 14...Sorry. Hope ya'll have a Merry Christmas ( Thanksgiving? too).
Tell everybody Hi.
See ya later,
Jeff.

I have been considering building a helo (kit or plans)  I have really enjoyed your website emmensly.  It is very infomative and MOST of the links work (a couple of old links).

I was considering a Lone Star kit(I flew a completed kit in California)  Nice and smooth to fly, well put togeather but I have not been able to find the company URL.  I've tried every known way to search for it but have yet to get ahold of them.

Since then I have been searching for a TRUE helo to build.  I found a Prismz Skylark which looks promising http://www.prismz.com/skylark/   But I know nothing about the helo.  I am looking for more options.  Are there any links you would recommend to find a kit or a set of plans that would not compromize safety and still cost less than a 4 bedroom house in my
part of the country.

I am in Heavener, Oklahoma  dcomp@clnk.com

I am now  building a helicopter using a turbo chgd  E82 soob. I would like to know where I can purchase roters, hub,etc components.

Thank You, Harold Onkst

Anyway, the project will be a "Skytwister" or a "A/W 95".  Have you heard anything good, bad, or other about either of these sets of blades??? I could definately use an "unbiased" opinions.  Thanks.

Tom Kannon

Well, we are on our way home, some place to the north east of Paris right now, about the cross the English Channel, near Calais. Well boys n girls, I think I have found the helicopter for YOU n I. I have always in the past made a conscious effort at not turning SHnPGIE into a CH-7 Angel propaganda web site by giving due n respect to all helicopters no matter the origin, But in the 2+ years SHnPGIE has been on the air, my attitude has changed considerably because of the 6 guys that were killed needlessly in a minuscule tested/un proven first attempt at manufacturing a helicopter. So, do not be surprised if I now push what I feel is better and a safer helicopter, because the Kompress is it with out a doubt. The proof is that I saw the president flying all day, two days in a row, where I seldom C other unmentionable manufactures  flying out of ground affect........

Any way, As I started out saying, I think I have found it. The Kompress is GREAT, because of the seating, not perfect, just GREAT. I have often described my CH-7 Angel as a dirt bike that flies, well, the Kompress is to me the reliable, reusable and durable Space Shuttle. The Shuttle came to mind because of the way I continually saw the Kompress going up with a new student, 45 min later arriving back and in only 10 or so minuets going up again with a new student and the only servicing of the craft was to add A LITTLE fuel.........

Than I got to fly the Kompress, with out even trying, 1,1oo FPM with my lard arse (205lbs.) in the front and the pilot, president of HeliSport Igi Barbero settling behind me, easy 150 pound boy....... I have been told by a few different people that the Kompress can climb at 1,8oo fpm, and has already landed/hover at 4,ooo meters (over 12,ooo feet) with 2 on board.  So now you know why the Kompress is the Space Shuttle in my eyes, and there is lots of standard equipment i.e. electronic governor, intercom, audio warning system, electronic trim, fly dat.............

I have lots more I hope to remember to tell you as I finish up posting this little adventure in Italy, so pop back from time to time to see if  I have had time to add more. The Kompress has many big boy (helicopter) features I need to tell you about. If you are serious about wanting a 2 seater with a 4 cycle power plant (now some place over Luton England, only 49% batter power remaining in this old Lap Top) even though the Kompress is expensive, it seems you will save BIG Bucks in the long run and it will turn out to be the lease expensive bird on the market, out climb a Jet Ranger and turn on a dime to boot.

Also good news, the Angel has proven to have a good resale value un like other un mentionable birds, which also lowers the price considerably if n when you want to triad your Kompress for a new toy like I now intend to do.

Note:
Sorry you most likely had problems accessing the Kompress pages I posted from Italy. I made 3 pages, could not post them properly, only could retrieve eM 5o% of the time and could never send eM, however, I could log on 1oo% of the time with no problem, now figure that one out (coming up on LiverPool, just south of Manchester now). Most call them self a "WebMaster"  however, realistically I am only a WebSter, there is so much I don't know about this computer, I will never be a  master....... Any way, I am hoping to have my first 3 Kompress pages up shortly unless my computer is having permanent problems rather than just not liking Italy..........? After that I will add more each day when I have time. I took lots of fotos with the Digital camera SHnPGIE's contributors helped me buy and made about an hour of video I may decide to offer if any one is interested (after I look at it from end to end) for 25 bucks. I also intend to capture some sound of the Kompress (since it sounds so nice) and add some sound bites to the pages. But this all take time n $.$$, this is not my profession, so be patient, remember when I asked for contributions, a few of you guys sent in a buck, a fin, some ten spots and a 2o every now n than, I even got 2 C notes, but hundreds/perhaps thousands of you reraders didn't. Last year's contribution total was just over 1,ooo, enough to pay the years cyberspace rent and a little less than half the cost to purchase the digital camera you are now Cing the fotos from,,,,,,, so I need keep this all in perspective and keep it just a hobby....... I don't have an editor to check my copy, don't have a webmaster to sort out the technical problems, nor do I receive a pay check from the one, 2, 3 and more hours a day it takes to keep this site fresh, so be patient and understanding.

AnyWay, I am honestly vary excited about this helicopter and want to spread the word Loud n Clear, you need to seriously consider this helicopter if you are in the market for a 2 seater, a two seater with a 4 Cycle power plant, this is probably the best available any where on the Planet........ Also, if all goes as planned, I intend to sell Miss Nina and place my order for a Kompress in the near future...... I would like to arrange for a few seriously interested future Kompress owners to think seriously about accompanying me to Italy after the holidays (when the air fairs go down) for a first hand look and demo flight before they order there Kompress...... Remember, only the serious need contact me, I don't have much free time, so please, don't just call out of curiosity, I will give you lots to fulfill your curiosity here on SHnPGIE.......
.

There was a fatal accident on the 1 August involving a Rotorway Exec 90 with two on board - both died.  The accident happened near to Cambridge, the passenger was only 16.

As I am unable to see anything about this I wondered if you dealt with the UK accidents as well

Chris Shaw

is proud to announce that we will be performing a local flight demonstration of our Ultrasport 496 two-seat helicopter on Friday November 13th.  The location is at Suffolk Municipal Airport (SFQ) in Suffolk, Virginia.  Times are from 10 am to 1 pm.  All rotorcraft enthusiasts and those shopping the market for kit helicopters are invited.

Come see the helicopter that won PRA's Outstanding New Design Trophy at this year's PRA Mentone 98.

Scheduled to be our guest is Ken Armstrong, the rotorcraft columnist of Kitplanes magazine.

See our new optional floor mounted cyclic!  We will be giving a limited number of rides in the helicopter (first come, first served).  Customers will have to sign a release of liability form prior to climbing in the helicopter.

Ultrasport kit helicopters have been built and are flying worldwide. American Sportscopter is also the manufacturer of the Ultrasport 331 single seat experimental and the Ultrasport 254 true ultralight helicopter.

Kit prices range from $33,000 to $49,000.
The floor mounted cyclic for the 331 and 496 is a new $1,200 kit option.

Please call for directions and to RSVP.  Give us your name and phone # if you plan to attend on Nov. 13th.

Thanks.

American Sportscopter Inc.
Newport News, Virginia USA
757-873-4914
http://www.ultrasport.rotor.com

Dear John,

I am a builder who has followed Rotorway for 10 years before I bought my
bird, and I really believe that they have a safe ship, particularly
compared to others in the market, and I trust Tom Smith and Stretch when
they speak, as long as they are speaking from experience. It is clear in
Rotorheads Newsletter that they (Rotorway) are citing data from a system
that was not your patented system, and could be taken out of context.

I understand the concept of belts over chains, and the many benefits
that "may" be available in this application, but my questions is..."Have
you done the necessary testing on enough machines installed by enough
different individuals to have total faith and confidence in the "safety"
of the system as compared to the Rotorway chain system? I do not want to
hear any sales B.S. or any unproven claims, but just the hard cold facts
in all their boring and sordid details. Please don't take my words as
insulting or untrusting or as stating you have given any B.S., but
rather as initiating a challenge for you on behalf of the Rotorway
community should they embrace my idea.

Folks like Joe Rinke and yourself advance the state of the art, but
Rotorway advances the state of safety, regardless of the downtime that
the resulting maintenance may create. I am not saying that you are wrong
or stating that you are not advancing safety, or that Rotorway is right
about your system. However, an independent third party who is qualified
to test and certify your system would seem the prudent answer to my and
others questions, or better yet, give Rotorway what they need to perform
the testing using your parts, and I assure you they will do a good job,
if they wish to pursue it. The same kind of testing that went into the
tail drive system should be applied to many units to the point of
failure under independent monitoring, taking into account the variables
that are introduced by bonehead builders like me. Put some systems
together poorly, and perfectly, and kill 10 units of your system under
the worst of conditions. This initial investment in testing will yield
better returns on the back end if your system proves better. Hell, then
Rotorway would license the system from you and relieve you of all the
marketing costs. That would give you an annuity revenue for life, and
you wouldn't have to deal with the customer service issues that are
inevitable.

This would build confidence in your "potential" customers that unlike
some people in this business who are in it for the money, you are
sincerely in it for the safety, because let's face it, if every Rotorway
builder in the land bought your system, you could only sell a few
hundred at best. This is not to say that you aren't in it for the
safety, and in fact I would bet that this was your motivation in the
first place. There isn't a lot of money in it when you look at it from a
pure business perspective. That raises the question..."Is it worth
$2,500?". I say I don't know, until it is proven per my earlier
suggestions.

I as an entrepreneur and pragmatist would like you to be successful in
your venture, but I also want you to consider the consequences of being
wrong about your statements. I am not a lawyer, in fact I abhore them,
but my estate would sue you in a knats breath if your system proved to
be the reason for my untimely demise, as would happen to Rotorway if
they were found at fault in a design issue on the Exec. As a marketing
guy, my message would not only be one of cleaner, easier, better, but
safer... with the hard data to back it up, not the results of comparing
temperature strips on a couple of birds and proclaiming "cooler"
bearings. Share all the data you have in your hands, and continue to
expand on that data as soon as it becomes available...both good and bad.

I think Rotorway would love to replace the drive chain, but they don't
want to kill people, any more than you, but they have a proven, albeit
messy, system that they have been flying for tens of thousands of hours,
and you have to convince me, other guys like me, and the wives of other
guys that modification is "SAFE". In Rotorway's own Newsletter they
speak about the nagging problem of the leaking oil bath, so I contend
they should be highly motivated to take a close look at your system and
serve the Rotorway community with a fresh look at the problem.

Are you up to the challenge, and is Rotorway?

Robert "Captain" Noakes

Robert Noakes
Global Internet Strategies
(925) 634-4948

Regards, Warren West

My name is Nev Walker I live in a small town in North Queensland Australia. I'm 54yrs of age and haved had a general aviation licence from age 17, flown gyrocopters 14yrs, 1400hrs , own a lightwing aircraft  ultralight of 544kg or in your lingo 1150lbs max gross wht.

I have just finished my helo licence in a R22 and am in the process of  building a skytwister ul helicopter off plans, I would really like to hear from anybody like yourself  if  there is any bad or weak points in this updated version of the wilson choppy. Ipersonally I believe the rotor head /blade feather berarings are to small.........

Any comments from any one having knowledge (good or bad) would be really appreicated  hopeing to hear from you.

NEV

$20
Fone Cards for
18 Bucks
from SHnPGIE

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 ..
A Few
Good Helicopter n Aviation
...Related Books...
You may like to read
.

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Chicken Hawk is a story of a young boy that goes thru US Army  Warrant Officer Flight School becoming both a helicopter pilot and a man. The story starts in the late 60 in the USA, than onto VietNamand back. The author Bob Mason tells how he almost washed out of pre flight school but was allowed to take the "Hell Month" over again (6o days of Hell Month) and  almost a year later earned his wing as a Warrant Officer. He tells how he and many other set up one of the first Air Cavalry Divisions (perhaps the first, I can't remember). Any way, I  enjoyed Bob's book so much I have actually read 3 times so far and most likely will again. It is a great book for any one fascinated with the whirling wing/helicopter and or VietNam helicopter aviation. If you are forgetful like me, you can enjoy it 3 times for only $8.76 thru Amazon.com.

Almost every one knows Chuck Yeager was the first human to break the sound barrier. But the story that leads up to him being in the right place at the right time and having "the Right Stuff" is equally as interesting as his mach 1 story. If I remember correctly (I read this one a few years back n only once) this book also starts out when Chuck was a young man on a farm, following him thru Army flight school, a W.W.II P51 pilot in Europe and back to Murrock/Eedwards AF Base, retiring a Air Force Brig. General....... Great human aviation story, great W.W.II story and great aviation history story all rapped up in one book for just 6 bucks thru Amazon.com.

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You may have seen the movie or perhaps the segment on 6o minuets or 2o/2o type TV show recently. What a story that starts with a grope of young soccer players on a twin engine turbo prop plane flying thru the Andes in Chili South America and does not make it. I do not want to give it a way, but is is a great story and just keeps on coming and coming as you turn the page. Once again, I read this one a few years ago and with my memory, I will take it with me on my next long airline flight and read/enjoy it all over. Alive is also a bargain at $5.59 thru Amazon.com.