rotorway 162fa

[gordon]

hi to all * * my name is gordon and i am building a exec 162 kit helicopter are there anyone else out there building any other makes of kit helicopters im about half way threw the build * * * * * * all the best gordon callaghan

[bones]

Gordon, where abouts are you, as i know of a guy up this who has built a couple of kit choppers, and the latest one he has is a baby bell, he completely built a new rotor head himslef cause he didnt like the look of the kit one now the company ring him for hints on how to smooth out the rotor system on their kits.

[russ]

Gordon...............sorry to hear your bad luck...............you must have done sumin reeeel bad to end up with one of those.

I know of 2 ex builders............1 current owner..........1 LAME [ helos] all of which ....ALL.......................HATE THOSE ROTORWAYS

The chap that has one still.................it's parked in his hanger, and has been there for about 9 months, or more...........grounded, [ got about 100 hrs total time flying]

Mail me direct, I will give you contact details

The sales hype, don't back up reality..........the machine is only for yanky guys, in yank land, coz no one here can fixem..........SORRY

Chase up the oz guy in "WA" that sells those things, bet you can't get half doz happy....flyers in Oz out of him...............cheers

[gordon]

hi bones i live in sydney nsw if you want to chat e/mail me gordon hi russel i will e/mail you for that information gordon

[russ]

Gordon...........more bad news

The one up here is now FOR SALE...........yep, another unhappy owner...........sorry

[gordon]

hi russell thank for letting me know about this helicopter for sale did the owner always dislike the rotorway or was there problems i will e/mail you gordon callaghan

[russ]

Loved it.............sort of...........then it stoped.........that was bowt 9 months ago

ONE of the main probs is..........the engine and management computor etc etc can only get fixed back in yanky land.............no good
Second prob........endurance is bugger all............[ bowt 1hr out......1hr back......that's 2 up ona hotish day]
Third prob...........rubber bands running everywhere
Fourth prob.........a bloody nitemare to work on
Fifth prob............zero ozy help
Sixth prob...........mate.........I could go on and on here [ by the way, the only one left up here now........the one that is now for sale, is "GA" certified, but the helo lamies won't touch it..............reckon it's a heap of shyte. The machine actually looks a million dollars tho.......well built]

A musterer pilot gave it a whirl one day...........his comments were unprintable here.

As you alluded to me in your mail yesterday...........the "WA" rep for these things is far from helpfull, but real keen to get your money. Trying to get names etc etc from him from HAPPY owners, is not forthcoming................WHY [ you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work that one out]

I looked into getting one myself a few yrs ago..........done a lot of background work........even internationally.......yip, kept me money.

Sorry mate..............cut your losses

[gordon]

thanks russell i will battle on keep you informed gordon

[Sky Gazer]

Hi Gordon,

Don't be put off by the so- called experts.

The Rotorway as indeed a fine chopper when built and maintained correctly- I too am building an exec and have come across a lot of happy RW owners . As for The Australian rep, he has moved from WA to Brisbane and is looking to set up a new facility at Redcliffe Airport to help build,inspect and restore all RW aircraft.

The biggest downfall for RW in the past few years has undoubtedly been the unfortunate use of the aftermarket "Pro Drive"cog belt system which seems to have overloaded the secondary shaft and caused numerous breakages and hence a lack of confidence in the aircraft. Apparently the stock configuration is perfectly acceptable aside from possible oil leaks. The best alternative for my money would be to upgrade to the EPI or AP Heliproducts drive system.

If you want to drop me line I will put you in contact with some experienced and happy RW owners.

The most valuable source of reference and support for the RW unfortunately is not the factory but rather the "Rotorway Owners Group"site run by Ron Curry and for a small donation you will undoubtedly access a wealth of information and experience from around the world.

Peter

[rotor]

Peter,

How about posting the site here for all of us.

If you like, you can always add it to the Web Links area on the main site too ...


rotor

[Sky Gazer]

The home page for ROG is as below

It has several forums including standard RW, JEX(turbine sytems), Robinson and general experimental as well as heaps of Archives .

http://www.rotorwayownersgroup.com

http://www.apheliproducts.com/

Al Behuncik and Peter Kooman -Al is a real Guru with the RW and has high time on the units-accordingly he and Peter have developed numerous products to enhance the performance and safety of the RW.

http://www.epi-eng.com/

Is the site for EPI Engine services run by Jack Kane- Who would havew to be one of the most "tuned in"guys I have spoken to. Jack's Site provides an in depthe engineering analysis of the secondary problems and proceeds to engineer and manufacture an appropriate alternative shaft.

Jack's site also covers the development of his "Mark 17" Gear box which is part of his project to allow the installation of a "Solar T62T-32 Gas Turbine" within the confines of the engine bay - thereby providing a lower C of G , significant increase in power accompanied by a drastic weight reduction. The other main benefit being the abolition of all the "Rubber Bands" to the MR and TR drives. I have 2 turbines sitting in Jack's workshop waiting for him to finish this project but unfortunately he is snowed under with "real work" and this is basically just an "As time permits" situation, so progress will undoubtedly be slow. Which gives me time to modify the fibreglass panels on my project.


Peter

[gordon]

hi peter I know a few rotorway owners here in nsw so I have a wealth of information from other builders and kevin is nowly a phone call away if I get into trouble where are you building your helicopter all the best gordon callaghan

[Sky Gazer]

Hi Gordon,

I am currently side tracked but am hoping to get back into the RW in the next couple of months -I am located in Hervey Bay.

I have a guy from Malaysia looking to buy my "New 162 F Engine" and assorted bits so I guess I am now committing to the turbine option - No turning back once I get it crated up and sent .

Glad to see you have found a few happy RW owners and I am sure you will find that all seem only too keen to discuss and their choppers.

Where are you building ?

Peter

[gordon]

hi peter I am building it up in my garage in northmead two suburbs from parramatta if you know where that is my garage is pritty crowded with a rotorway,two race cars one new speedcar chassis and spares for the two race cars in a three car garage space is a premium I never new how mutch stuff you can put up in the raffters .my build is at a hold at the moment Im in the process of selling my house and moving out to acreage with a BIG SHED I also have one semi trailer one prime mover plus one eight ton truck with a hiab fitted to it so a little more room is needed so I can fly from home in the rotorway good to hear from you peter I will stay in contact with you .....ps kevens new rotorway looks real nice :all the best your fellow rotorway mate gordon callaghan