Airframe set up

Well I have just completed two days of work on the airframe.  It was fun but challenging.  Getting the airframe on the landing gear just right was challenging.  It also took some doing to get the lower engine mount perfect, but by adding a washer here and there, I got that done.

Here are some pictures of the progress over the last two days.

I am now moving on the the tail boom.  Here I will spend extra time to make sure that the tail boom is absolutely aligned on the centerline of the ship and that it is 2 1/2 degrees more inclined than the square drive tubes.

BTW, I purchased a trail camera, set it on time lapse mode and mounted it on a shelf in the shop.  It takes shots every 2 minutes.  I cull the ones I don't want then save the ones I do.  Someday I'll do a time lapse video using these shots.

Modifications

This post is about the modifications that I plan to make to the helicopter.
1. Splitting the tub.  I have already successfully split the tub.  The original design of the lower body is a one piece fiberglas tub which requires that the front landing gear be removed in order to remove the tub.  Turns out the tub has to be removed several times during the course of construction so the idea of splitting the tub into two pieces has become popular.  So popular in fact that Rotorway now has the builder split the tub on the Talon.  Here are some pictures of this process.

2. Normally Aspirated Engine.  The kit I bought was manufactured in 2000 and at that time Rotorway was promoting the supercharged engine which they called ACIS.  This engine produced more horsepower but had a problem in burning up #1 cylinder, so they have stopped offering it.  I had my engine sent to Rotorway to have it converted back to a normally aspirated engine and have the upgraded waterjacket kit installed at the same time.  I am expecting the engine any day now.

3.  35 mm secondary shaft.  Another common issue, which Rotorway has corrected is the change from a 30 mm to a 35 mm secondary shaft.  There were problems with the 30 mm shaft breaking in flight...not good. So another modification which I had Rotorway do was convert the 30 mm shaft which came with the kit, to the 35 mm shaft.

4.  COG belt drive.  The main rotor drive was originally turned by a 4-belt primary drive and a 3" wide chain secondary drive.  This chain drive was heavy and required the installation of a chain oil bath tub.  This tub was prone to leaking.  Several years back Rotorway owners began installing a COG drive in lieu of the chain drive and now Rotorway has picked this change up as well, so, here I go again, I had Rotorway send me the COG drive.

You might be wondering...why didn't I just go ahead and buy a brand new Talon kit.  The Talon kit sells for about $90K and I am in this kit at about $57K with the above mods.

5. Avionics.  I am planning to install the MGL Explorer glass cockpit display in lieu of the separate avionics and gauges.  This unit incorporates almost all of the standard gauges plus a bunch of other things  not to mention GPS.  Here is a link to their site...www.mglavionics.com

6.Talon landing gear & skids.  The last mod I'll mention here are the Talon landing gear and skids.  They are 11 inches wider and about 9 inches taller than the original 162 F landing gear.  This makes the aircraft safer and less likely to have a dynamic rollover.

Here is a picture of the airframe ready to be sent to the powdercoating company.

A Long Time Dream Come True

Ever since I first learned about Rotorway helicopters I have wanted to build one.  It had to have been in the early 80's when Rotorway came on the scene with the Scorpion and then the Exec 90, the Exec 162 and now the Talon.  Well I have finally reached that point in life where I have both the time and money to realize the dream.

I learned to fly while in college and at one point owned a Beechcraft Sundowner single engine airplane, so flying is not completely new although it has been many years since I flew.  I was exposed to rotor wing aircraft in the Army and had the chance to fly a few times while on active duty.  I was hooked back then but never really had the time to take on getting my rotor wing rating.  Besides flying a certified helicopter is very expensive.

So now here I am at age 61, semi-retired.  I found a 162 Exec kit that had barely been started and bought it.    The kit is complete except there are some upgrades that I wanted to do so I have spent some additional money getting the 162 up to Talon specs.  My thanks to Homer Bell who located the kit for me.

Here is a link to the Rotorway site where you can learn more about Rotorway...www.rotorway.com

I hope to be diligent in posting my progress.  I have benefited greatly from others who have done so before me.  My thanks to them for all the tips on construction of the ship.