Capt Jim

My Feedback: (168)

I have no experience with any form of gyro and need some guidance. I have a Great Planes prop-jet, F-4, that I am a bit worried about flying. My flying buddy put his into the dirt several times while landing...and he's a pretty good flyer. First...is there a gyro that will control two axis....ailerons and rudder? Will such an installation lend significant stability in flight? Any suggestions and comments are appreciated.

ifixairplanes

My Feedback: (9)

dont do it. waste of money and time. a gyro is a crutch and is not needed. just take it up high and practice flying MCA (minimum controllable airspeed). that is what i do on every maiden before i land and after i trim. I see how slow it will go, how it stalls, how it controls at that speed, etc. Then after that, while i still have PLENTY of fuel, i shoot approaches and touch and goes if i can. If the approach dosnt look good, goose it and go around. i get the feel of the plane on landing and takeoff. last weekend i maidened a friends new extra 300. I did some MCA flying and then when i wanted to land, it took 4 or 5 "practice approaches," But once i got the feel of how it comes in (FAST!) and slows, i was able to make the first greeting with mother earth a greaser with no bounce. Everytime i fly my plane, i like to do touch and goes. I have always believed the landing makes the pilot. You can put on a great aerobatic show for everyone, but boy if you booger the landing you will never hear the end of it! I am known amongst my group of flying buds for my landings, almost always spot on and in a 3 point stance. but everyone, as do i, sometimes touch's a "tad" to rough. Actually, i just RE-glued my landing gear back on the other night

sean

siclick33

Futaba make a two axis Gyro. I agree that you shouldn't really need one for your situation. You just need to practice slow flight, at height on your first flight and you should have no probs.

FHHuber

A gyro or a pilot assist device (such as the Futaba PA2 or FMA's "autopilot") won't make up for stalling the aircraft on approach.

The design of the F-4 Phantom is such that you HAVE to keep speed up on approach. If you slow down too much it will drop a wing every time.