Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

This forum is awesome. The knowledge freely offered here can save time, money, even a life. For a new or perspective Rotorx owner it can also be daunting. Nearly all the regulars who frequently post are experienced owners and builders, some of whom have been involved with Rotorways, in one form or another, since the ‘80s. I have to believe that there are other people like myself who are just getting a start. In my case the “start” has up to this point only meant that I’ve put money on the table and have spent hours and hours watching build videos. Am I the only Talon purchaser since Rotorway became Rotorx? I doubt it. So if you are new to this adventure, why not help a lonely fellow traveler out and say “hello” here?

Eric Anderson
When the kit arrives I will be building at Blairstown, NJ (1N7)

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Congratulations Eric, there are many of us who are experienced builders and flyers of the Rotorway helicopter line. I am currently building an A600 Talon and a 162F for clients so when you do get your kit feel free to ask any questions that you have here on this forum and you will get lots of help and opinions. The build plans are pretty good but there are easier ways to do some of the tasks so I encourage you to utilize the vast amount of knowledge that is available on this and other forums.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Smartest thing you could do right now is come down to the gathering in Fla. next week. What you could learn here will be invaluable during and after your build. Several owners are here already. Stu has a ship under construction that you can observe and maybe even help a little with.
I plan to do a little balance work on a new set of blades Bob has. Watching that could be very helpful to you later.

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Orv, I’ve read everything on your website twice. Thanks for all you’ve done already!

Homer, you are so right. But unfortunately work has gotten in the way.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Eric,

Congrats to you and "Your Project". Orv is being too modest. Lots of good tips here too.

https://flywithorv.com/

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Hi Eric,

I’m also a new builder hoping to get my kit in December. I’ll be heading to the gathering later this week so I hope to meet you there.

Justin
C up757-348-0384

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Hi Justin. Unfortunately I can’t make it. Is your December delivery expectation based on anything you’ve been told by RotorX? I’ve not heard anything yet.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Eric,

The contract is 4-6 months for the first kit delivery. That's Dec to Feb window for me. I called Stan to check up on the progress about a month ago expecting to hear of a delay just based on nearly all other businesses having production issues but I was glad to hear that things seemed to be going well.

Justin

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Gotcha. I am in the same timeframe.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Good morning Eric, Justin, and others. I'm in the same boat Eric and Justin are in, albeit maybe lagging by a couple of months. I put my money down 1st week of Nov so expecting first shipment in the March time frame. I live near Navasota, Texas and will be fixing up an area in my shop for assembly over the Christmas break.
I fly a Piper Saratoga but have zero rotorcraft PIC time. I plan to start doing some training over the Christmas break, although my list of things to accomplish during the time away from work never seems to get completed. Prepping an assembly area in my shop will be a high priority though.
I do appreciate all of the helpful information on this forum and I expect it will make my project go much better!

I wish everyone a great Thanksgiving with their family and friends!

Javier
713-594-7620

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Eric Justin Javier I glad I met you guys are oshkosh and talked extensively! I would encourage you to attend as many or all fly ins as possible and learn as much as you can. That what I did for years. I think I went to 4 by the time I started on my kit!

It's still educational. I always learn something new and it's always great
to see the extended rotary family. Welcome to the community!

You're also welcome to come visit KPUJ where i'm based. We can talk shop and fly around some. I'm working on my commercial and cfi and will soon be able to help with a rotary add-on.

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Sorry I haven’t made a fly-in yet but grateful to have been at Oshkosh. You made the sale i my case, David. Thanks!

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Pick yourself up a couple of small belt sanders. Will be very good to have.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Hello everyone, I am new to the group and also put money down earlier this month on a new ship. I am just finishing up a Velocity XLRG so I am excited to start another project and start training for my Rotorcraft add on.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Wow Michael, that’s a real dedication to the art of building!

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

One of the guys local to me (davy) who ordered an ax600 very early on just got his first two crates. We cracked it open to check everything out. the new straight legs looks fantastic. The skids are even beefier.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

I just got a text from Stan. Tentative delivery date of 2/2/22!

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Update to my status - RotorX expects my kit to ship on Feb 9th. That's basically 6 months from the order date as expected and I can't wait! (Although it's a good thing I have a few months to get my shop ready).

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

That's awesome, I got an email that they expect mine to ship in May which is perfect

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Also, I asked RotorX (Stan) about the 180hp engine development. I'm not sure what others think but my expectation with anything new along those line of complication to have a delay in production due to a number of possible unforeseen issues that I think are normal to any R&D process. My take on it has been that I have been ready to receive the previously developed turbo motor as an acceptable option since I see plenty of value in a time-tested motor.

That being said, I was told they were on track to deliver with the 180hp motor. There was reference to an outsourced developer in the conversation but beyond that, I was just generally asking about the progress and happy to hear that things sounded on track.

If anyone has any further details, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

I haven’t but given the choice I think I will roll the dice and skip the turbo.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Eric, one thing you may want to consider. This week I took my NA helo up for a high auto. I was solo and had less than half a tank of fuel. Temps were low 50F. I was only able to climb to about 7,000 MSL until it wouldn't climb much anymore. It lingered at around 200fpm. I could probably get to 8,000 if I had the patience. The whole time I had the throttle wide open.

If you're going to be operating from higher altitudes and often with 2 up a turbo is a very good idea to have.

In the spring I was 2 up in my turbo ship at max gross we were putting along at 5,500 going over some mountain passed and it still was able to climb at 500fpm without going full throttle.

The turbo isn't altitude comp but it still helps tremendously.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Hi David. And thanks for the advice. To me the choice seems to be more complicated than the advantages and cons of having a turbo. The new engine incorporates some new and needed features. Plus it promises to produce ~180HP which would offset the need for a turbo for most of us. But then again, the engine is new and largely untested. So there's that!

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

From what I understand the new 180hp engine is also turbo. The turbo isn't that complicated. It's rather simple. The performance/safety margin is more than worth the hassle. I'm actually looking at converting my orange helo to turbo.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Dave, you say beefier skids, than Talon? Or what?

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One of the kits delivered at my home airport had beefier skids. i only had a few seconds to admire the straight legs and saw the skids. I think it was 2.5in tubing. I'll measure it next time I get a chance

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OK, that would be a lot bigger. Old ones were 1 7/8” then Talon 2” even 2 1/4” would really be a big step up. Think I would like that though.

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It was definitely bigger than my talon. I think talon is 2.25.

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I have one right now, pretty sure it’s 2”, but I could be wrong. But you know me, I’m never wrong.LOL.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Hi everyone, I’m new to the group and excited for Group one to be delivered to me this spring. I’ve been doing some research for awhile and I’m ready to started with my build. I’m planning on heading to Florida for the “Gathering of Rotorway” in March. I won’t have my ship yet but I’m eager to learn all I can. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

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I don’t fly airlines much, where is KFLV?

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Leavenworth KS, KFLV located just under Kansas City Class Bravo.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

I just started my RotorX Adventure last Friday with a kit deposit. It must be official, cause today I was granted access to the RotorX web site owners area. I guess it could be quite awhile before the first kit arrives. So I’ll have plenty of time to browse this forum and the Facebook page.
I’ll be building it here at my house in Ding Dong Texas. Plenty of space and retired so I’ll have time.
I saw a Kieth Baker building in Leavenworth. I got my private licence at FLV in 1972. Was a pretty busy little place back then.

Sam Oliver

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

I just got my first shipment: a box with manuals and templates!

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That's great. Mine should be arriving soon as well.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

FYI, I am delayed at least another 3 weeks. The tail boom is being built by a third party and the’ve been delayed manufacturing the bulkheads. Stuff happens. I am not complaining. But for any new builders watching, information like this might help.

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Do you have the frame yet? Or will it come with the boom? What are they sending out to start with?

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I don't know how this works, to be honest. I'd be happy to have what I can get. But I don't want to pay double freight; first for the frame, second for the boom. If RW eats the cost, I would actually prefer to have the frame and boom separately.

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You can’t do much with the boom until you get the frame and gear.

Re: Reaching Out to New Builders Like Myself
 

Thanks Homer. They will ship the frame and gear now and the boom separately in 2-3 weeks. Rotorx will cover the cost of shipping the boom.