MadProfessor8138
Well-Known Member
I'm at the point with my build of the Hornet gyrocopter that I need to choose a spring for the gear.
I spoke with Dennis at Gyro Technics and he charges about $100 per spring.....ouch.
I'm fortunate enough to have a die spring supplier 15 minutes from my work and I can walk in and pick the springs up in person.....not to mention that the springs are only $22 each.
My gyrocopter will have an all-up flying weight of around 550lb.....aircraft,fuel and myself.
The springs that I will be using have an o.d. of 2" and an i.d. of 1"....with a total spring length of around 3" - 4"....or whatever length that I choose really.
I have options ranging from soft to x-tra stiff for the spring compression.
I have the #'s for any spring that I choose pertaining to the lbs required to deflect (compress) the spring.
Here's the question :
With stated aircraft weight of around 550lbs. and 3"-4" of spring travel.....how do I choose the spring compression rate ?
*Too soft and I bottom the spring out and transfer the load to the airframe.
*Too stiff and the load is transferred to the airframe because the springs aren't compressing.
Remember,this is a gyro and won't be doing the usual takeoff & landing rolls that a fixed wing will.
However,I will be flying from some rough fields and then there's the occasional oops landing.
This will be the spring set-up....
Kevin
I spoke with Dennis at Gyro Technics and he charges about $100 per spring.....ouch.
I'm fortunate enough to have a die spring supplier 15 minutes from my work and I can walk in and pick the springs up in person.....not to mention that the springs are only $22 each.
My gyrocopter will have an all-up flying weight of around 550lb.....aircraft,fuel and myself.
The springs that I will be using have an o.d. of 2" and an i.d. of 1"....with a total spring length of around 3" - 4"....or whatever length that I choose really.
I have options ranging from soft to x-tra stiff for the spring compression.
I have the #'s for any spring that I choose pertaining to the lbs required to deflect (compress) the spring.
Here's the question :
With stated aircraft weight of around 550lbs. and 3"-4" of spring travel.....how do I choose the spring compression rate ?
*Too soft and I bottom the spring out and transfer the load to the airframe.
*Too stiff and the load is transferred to the airframe because the springs aren't compressing.
Remember,this is a gyro and won't be doing the usual takeoff & landing rolls that a fixed wing will.
However,I will be flying from some rough fields and then there's the occasional oops landing.
This will be the spring set-up....
Kevin
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