- Joined
- Dec 27, 2017
- Messages
- 340
Hi everyone,
I decided that I would go ahead and start posting pictures and updates on my helicopter build. I have been sourcing out critical parts for it for the last couple of years and am now in the position where I can begin welding the main frame together.
Here are some of the features of this helicopter:
The main rotor head is based off of a Rotorway Exec. This is the type that has a underslung head with two elastomeric bearings housed within a couple of blocks that are part of the feathering shafts.
The main blades are the same airfoil as the Exec except that unlike the exec, mine will turn CCW. The blade straps are the same as the Exec as well.
The engine is a Subaru EG33. It's stand alone fuel management system will be a Simple Digital Systems EM-5F. I had put a lot of thought into whether I wanted to go with the EG33 or go with the EJ205 / 207. After conferring with a couple friends on the subject, I had decided that the EG33, although heavier, was the more reliable option. This was mainly due to more displacement and thus requiring less cylinder pressures at the required HP for hover.
The main frame will be the standard 4130 tubing and have a .065 wall thickness. This will be the first thing that I will need to get going on. Without the main frame sitting there on my hangar floor, it will be hard to make any progress.
The landing gear will also be made out of 4130. I was planning to get spring steel for this, but I had received some advice from others and they mentioned that 4130 had proven to work just fine for this application.
I decided that I would go ahead and start posting pictures and updates on my helicopter build. I have been sourcing out critical parts for it for the last couple of years and am now in the position where I can begin welding the main frame together.
Here are some of the features of this helicopter:
The main rotor head is based off of a Rotorway Exec. This is the type that has a underslung head with two elastomeric bearings housed within a couple of blocks that are part of the feathering shafts.
The main blades are the same airfoil as the Exec except that unlike the exec, mine will turn CCW. The blade straps are the same as the Exec as well.
The engine is a Subaru EG33. It's stand alone fuel management system will be a Simple Digital Systems EM-5F. I had put a lot of thought into whether I wanted to go with the EG33 or go with the EJ205 / 207. After conferring with a couple friends on the subject, I had decided that the EG33, although heavier, was the more reliable option. This was mainly due to more displacement and thus requiring less cylinder pressures at the required HP for hover.
The main frame will be the standard 4130 tubing and have a .065 wall thickness. This will be the first thing that I will need to get going on. Without the main frame sitting there on my hangar floor, it will be hard to make any progress.
The landing gear will also be made out of 4130. I was planning to get spring steel for this, but I had received some advice from others and they mentioned that 4130 had proven to work just fine for this application.