Oshkosh 2022 Trip - Day 2 - Kallithea gyro travels from Los Angeles to Oshkosh

[@eduardschnakenfuss9411]

Thank you very much for the joy sitting on your backseat and having such a wonderful view over the spectacular landscapes. Greatings from the green but very small Germany 🙂

[@lagyro]

Thank you for watching and the kind words... It is alkways amazin to me how different the world looks from the air, and I fel blessed to have the oportunity to experience it...

[@LWJCarroll]

Enjoying the journey thanks! That looked really like the Jetsons! At the start. Thanks Laurie. NZ. 😊

[@lagyro]

Thank you fo rwatching, and thank you for the kind words...

[@kurtbilinski1723]

I've never flown anything, but a gyro seems is a tempting compromise. Still, I can't help be amused by seeing freeway traffic moving nearly as fast as you are. Reminds me of the scene in the movie "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World", where cars on the road were moving faster than the biplane :)

[@lagyro]

Haha, you are funny... and I do remember the scene you mention... Technically, I was moving faster than most of the traffic, but it did not feel like it...

[@lorencolt]

Right there is were I saw the hot air balloon crash 27:11

[@lagyro]

That is a high altitude for a hot air balloon... but the area is fairly open, with a lot to see all around.

[@eguerra4001]

Hello Peter! I just want to say again how much I love watching your videos. I’m a little biased of course since I’ve personally been in control of that beautiful machine. I’m still trying to figure out how to get mine. Hopefully I get to come visit you again soon.

[@lagyro]

That would be great... but if you find yourself in other parts of the country, just let me know and I will help you find an instructor nearby...

[@ThePianoMan1953]

Thanks for letting me ride along! That was fascinating!

[@lagyro]

Thank you for coming along for the fantastic journey... I hope you enjoy the return trip as well... whenever I find the time to process the raw footage... ;)

[@ThePianoMan1953]

@@lagyro As I watch (this morning) we are just leaving Kenosha for the last leg. I am equally amazed with your video skills! Thanks for taking all the time!

[@lagyro]

Thank you for the kind words…

[@HC-dv4pm]

This is making me very excited about aviation. I enjoy your commentary too. Bring backs these trip videos when you can.

[@lagyro]

Thank you for watching… I am planning to add more videos soon.

[@lorencolt]

And not far from Evanston near the big bear lake a friend of mine that I worked with his parents flew into a mountain side trying to 180 out of the clouds 2 years ago in a home built airplane. He had just installed a new navigation system in it. He watched that instead of the ball it is believed. My father did the same thing one time and we came out of the clouds upside down in a Beach Bonanza but we still had about 3000 ft. before we hit ground. I told him while it was happening to look at the ball, but he got stubborn and followed his inner ear. I flew the rest of the way. It was hard on his pride I think, and it scared the hell out of him. At that time he had been flying for over 40 years and nothing like that had ever happened.

[@lagyro]

One thing I discovered during instrument flying is to NEVER trust your senses - LOOK at the instruments...

[@parisachilles2682]

Beautiful, just plain beautiful.

[@lagyro]

Thank you for the kind comment… Gyro flying is great escape from the grind of our earthly live. The great visibility, the slow flight over the terrain below… some call it a magic carpet…

[@AB-kg6rk]

Excellent production sir. Im watching them all!

[@lagyro]

Thank you fo rwatching and supporting the channel... I am currently processing the return trip to Los Angeles.

[@MikeFlyItAll]

Awesome man, watching your adventure trip is really nice...

[@lagyro]

Thank you for your support…

[@gene2024]

At the 10 minute mark, you past BYU on your right-hand side ... with the huge Y on the mountain, aptly called 'Y Mountain'. Our family lived in Provo for many years. Loved the area and the natural beauty. Also loved Heber City and the airport with soaring. Brought back lovely memories of the area. Thank you!!

[@lagyro]

I knew very little about the Provo area before I flew there. I did appreciate the immense natural beauty of the region. Thank you for watching...

[@flatpat2988]

Are you still an active member of the LDS church?

[@gene2024]

@@flatpat2988 I lived in Provo and was part of the 5% ... non-members ... We loved our time in Happy Valley.

[@andron967]

Your gyro videos are the best I've seen.

[@lagyro]

Thank you for the kind words…

[@Rick78852]

I love when he positions the cameras to capture other surroundings flying, communicating locations along the way and especially love the log comments at the bottom of the video posted. TY

[@lagyro]

@@Rick78852 static forward looking camera gets boring rather quickly… besides there is so much stuff passing on both sides of the aircraft. By moving the camera view around, I am trying to simulate the viewer eyes looking around.

[@majorwedgie8166]

Agreed!

[@dhmik1]

Really hard work to flying this distance by hand. Respekt. Thank you for sharing your impressions and the impressive landscapes. Regards from baltic shore/Germany.

[@lagyro]

I have never flown with auto-pilot, so flying by hand is the only way I know. One thing that saves me is the relative shortness of the legs - getting on the ground every 1.5 to 2 hours allows me to stretch and refocus...

[@cameronlapworth2284]

Doing it by hand you're doing it wrong. 😉

[@lagyro]

What do you mean?

[@cameronlapworth2284]

@@lagyro I was joking as in flapping your arms.

[@lagyro]

Ha, gotcha… joking aside, i have tried to trim my open-cockpit gyro in such a way that i can steer it by extending my arms on the side… never really works, but it was a fun idea at the time…

[@floofycatz]

Excellent and fun to watch, thank you for taking us along your journey :)

[@lagyro]

I wish everyone would have the opportunity to enjoy an adventure like this.

[@Michael-qo8bs]

Thanks for a great adventure...!

[@lagyro]

Thank you for watching...

[@majorwedgie8166]

I can't remember the last time I had this much fun sitting down! Well done! Commentary is relevant and kept to the "perfect" level, video editing is superb and your dedication to procedure is comforting! I am also looking into your brand of aircraft for purchase! Well, on with the adventure!

[@lagyro]

Thank you for the kind words… sharing the adventures allows me to relive them more than once.

[@John-nc4bl]

Thank you for another interesting video. Your Gyro is a beauty and I would love to own one.

[@lagyro]

It is surprisingly easy to own a gyroplane... and the Kallithea is less expensive than a similarly requipped Cavalon.

[@John-nc4bl]

@@lagyro If you dont mind me asking, how much does the Kallithea cost-?

[@lagyro]

The green Kallithea on this video is currently around $120k. Of course machines with more sophisticated avionics and bigger engines can reach close to $150k.

[@John-nc4bl]

@@lagyro Thanks for the reply. How much in Bulgaria-?

[@lagyro]

@@John-nc4bl What do you mean?

[@adolfozabransky]

Excelentes vuelos.

[@ROCROCROC1]

I've been fortunate in my life to have had corporate responsibilities in 40 states and 6 foreign countries. I have visited most every state but Alaska, Idaho and the Dakotas. This year I planned to travel to Washington state by car and back. Take my time doing it. I wanted to visit the places I've lived over the years, talk with friends and see some of the places I've missed. I tore a gluteus minimus muscle and couldn't make the trip. Not sure I'll ever get a chance to go by car again. This extended trip to Oshkosh covers a lot of the ground I would have traveled on the Northern leg. Things look simple enough in this little Gyroplane but I think it was a courageous effort. Few people would make this trip even in a Cessna150:-) That was the plane I first learned to fly many years ago. My wife was concerned about private flying so we switched to a boat(s). Boating gave us many years of joy and recreation. RIP

[@lagyro]

There is so much natural beauty this country has to offer… and traveling is the only way to experience it. The gyroplane gives you the unique point of view over the terrain - low altitude and fairly slow air speed. You see the things that truckers simply cannot see, and high flying airplanes just miss.

[@jwald6795]

That's a really nice looking Gyro. Thanks for posting these videos.

[@lagyro]

The Kallithea is really a well designed machine… beautiful and rugged…

[@dukebass4564]

As I sit behind you on this trip, I can’t help feeling very cramped after a short time in the air, and can’t wait for the next stop in route. In addition, the rollout distance seems excessive. I equate your craft to a “belly tank” dragster, but at least the ride was over in a 1/4 mile. Good luck in your endeavor. Stay safe !

[@lagyro]

This is a very small aircraft by any standard, but I never felt cramped inside. This does not mean I do not value the opportunity to stratch my legs any chance I get. Rollout distance... Day 2 was a day of VERY high density altitude takeoffs. The ineractive Koch chart I use for planning warned me of 3 times longer ground roll, and 73% reduction in climbing ability... and it was not lying. Also, you must keep in mind that gyroplanes are not short takeoff aircraft in general, regardless of what some manufacturers may claim...

[@dukebass4564]

My dad was test pilot for the “Autogyro” back in the 30’s. I have a photograph of him flying over the Golden Gate bridge in it.

[@lagyro]

@@dukebass4564 That is fascinating... especially in the light of celebrating 100 years of the first flight of an autogyro in 1923...

[@dukebass4564]

I was obviously way off on the year of my dad’s test piloting of the “Autogyro”, I wasn’t born yet. In addition, he shared his career between being an Army Air Corps pilot, and test pilot for Lockeed Air Craft.

[@PaulSmith-ss6zm]

Poor man's helicopter 😂 I want one, great flick I really enjoyed it.

[@lagyro]

YUo, you can say, it is a poor man's helicopter, but I think the gyro is so much more if you really think about it... Actually I just think about it as a vehicle to get me in the air and to allow me to enjoy the views and the feeling of flight with fantastic visibility, effortless control... oh, and it doesn't break the bank to own one... ;) So, you are correct...

[@recklesswhisper]

@@lagyro Am I wrong/right in saying your aircraft is safer than a helicopter? ^..^~~

[@lagyro]

@@recklesswhisper The safety factor is increased in case of emergenccy, because you are already in autorotation with a gyro, so all you have to do is dip the nose and look for a landing spot. With helicopters, you have to drop the collective almost immediatelly after engine out, or the rotor may slow down beyond the point of recovery.

[@recklesswhisper]

@@lagyro Yes, I know. After seeing your machine I did some research and learned that fact for myself. Is the pilot's seat adequately comfortable on those long flying stints? ^..^~~

[@lagyro]

@@recklesswhisper The seats are pretty comfortable, but I also use a memory foam cushion for extra comfort. Also, my individual flights are fairly short - 1.5 to 2 hours max. Then stretch my legs, run to the boys room, hydrate...and off again refreshed and ready to enjoy the views.

[@christopheschwartz7374]

Que de distance! Vôtre gyrocoptère à combien d'autonomie maximum? Merci pour ce moment partager! Un abonné de France 🇨🇵

[@lagyro]

The gyro has a 17 US Gallons of fuel on board at takeoff. The engine burns around 5.75 US Gallons per hour. I usually plan my legs for no more than 1.5 to 2 hours.

[@coloninbus]

БРАВО. Гордея се !!

[@sharkamov]

Never having flown in a gyro, but used to flying helis, so far I'm just amazed of how utterly stable and precise this machine comes across as it is steadily chugging along! . . . Could you please explain how the rear camera's continuous panning _and_ zooming is achieved??? (It's doing a marvelous job of it!) . . . And, thanks for letting us tag along! 👍

[@FrasSmith]

I think it's probably a 360 camera that allows for panning and zooming in post.

[@dh-jv8nq]

Could you elaborate on what the mechanical issue was?

[@lagyro]

This is what I wrote to a similar question sometime ago: "A mounting bolt in the engine compartment was missed by me during my preflight that morning and has gotten itself loose and damaged itself. It was not too bad, bit it was great that I discovered it and replaced it with the help of Super James, my mechanic who traveled from Los Angeles to Provo to deliver the spare part and to assist in the installation. Needless to say, I have been checking on that bolt religiously ever since, and it has been sitting snug as a bug where it is supposed to be..."

[@dh-jv8nq]

@@lagyro Thanks for the information, sorry I missed the answer from before. By the way, I enjoyed your video very much. I have a MTO Sport and enjoy the transition from fixed wing to gyro.

[@lagyro]

@@dh-jv8nq I am glad I discivered gyros and switched from fixed wing flying... it is so much fun, I have not looked back...

[@shable1436]

Like your editing with your 360 camera, the way you tilt it, or zoom in on things. You must be using a high end software like adobe or wondershare, resolve or power director, or Pinnacle pro if your using a Mac like your phone

[@lagyro]

I wish I can afford these systems... Insta360 comes with free software that convers 360 footage into flat video, then I use fairly inexpensive editor to combine clips from various cameras and the on-screen text into the final video clip. Other than the time spent, the equipment I utilize is "low" budget...

[@AndrewCampbell-ut6jk]

Do you have a slight rotor imbalance?

[@lagyro]

All rotorcraft have a slight rotor imbalance... some more, some less... ;)

[@michaelbishton9439]

I cast it on my big screen TV and enjoyed the view even more. I'm a glider pilot and know little about gyros. I noticed that - for the second day - the stick shakes your hand and arm all the way up to your shoulder. Is there a way to mitigate that?

[@lagyro]

A big scren TV would definitely put you in the middle of the action... When it comes to the vibrations, they are always there, and the question is how much vibrations are too much, but you also have to keep in mind that your view point is the lens of a camera that vibrates itself while filming and applying anti-vibrations algorithms to the footage. Distant objects appear quite steady, while closer ones may appear to be vibrating more than they really are.

[@Froestenpust]

It seems, there is quite an amount of stick shake. Niki Rotor writes in their ads, that there should be near to no stick shake. Do you have maybe some problems with not well balanced rotors or is balancing maxed out? I am very interested in your answer! BTW: Our MTO-Sport is since a new balancing trial quite calm, not without any stick shake, but better than I see in this video.

[@lagyro]

Since you are a gyro pilot, you know that gyros have stick vibrations, and although there are ways to minimize them, there is no way to eliminate them completely. Also rotors vibrate differently at different speeds, so it is up to the owner/pilot to decide what speed range is most important. Additionally, you should keep in mind that you are watching a video though th elens of a camera that vibrates on ots mount while applying image stabilization to the video it captures. That introduces a weird level of distortion. So, although there is some stick shake, it is not as bad as it appears on the video... I fly diferent gyros, so I try to compare their levels of vibrations. I also invite other gyro pilots to fly with me so I can ask them about their opinion, and so far not a single one has complained about the stick shake.

[@psblad2667]

Beautiful video. A really fine sightseeing! I have a question: I am a fixed wing pilot with no experience of rotor crafts. I see that the stick is vibrating, is that normal for gyros or is there an unbalance somewhere?

[@lagyro]

All of the above... All gyros have some inherent vibrations in the stick. Some are correctable with balancing the rotor, some are there to stay. Also as speed increases the vibrations increase since they are mostly caused by dissimetry of lift in the autorotating rotor. That being said, a video on KZbin is not the best way to judge the level of vibrations in a gyrp's stick. Keep in mind that yu are looking through the lens of a camera that vibrates on its mount and constantly tries to apply image stabilization to the footage. All of that distorts the visual picture and it is not a perfect repersentation of the reality in front of the lens. In the case of my gyro, I feel there is a room for improvement, I just have not spent the time to achieve it.

[@lorencolt]

I watched a hot air balloon fall out of the sky near Huber City in the early 1980's. It was on fire. I could see the people in the basket. It was horrible.

[@lagyro]

That is horrible... It looks like Heber City Airport is a magnet for accidents - a gyroplane crashed there a year before my visit there...

[@woof3598]

so many questions (-:

[@lagyro]

Just ask…

[@Rick78852]

Do you fly fix wings and other helicopters? This is the 2nd video I've seen of yours. Thanks. :)

[@lagyro]

I have not flown a fixed wing in a while… and all of my videos are if gyro flying… That being said, I would love to be able to afford a helicopter…

[@paloureiro]

How common is it for a gyro to enter a zero or negative G situation that could lead to a power push over event? Is it something that you as a pilot, always fear or is it such a rare event that you don't think of it?

[@lagyro]

There are certain maneuvers that could cause negative G situations, so we try to avoid them, but j am not gripped in fear in flight. The modern gyro design really helps the pilots avoid most adverse situations, so as long as you don’t do anything stupid you should be able to enjoy gyro flying. That being said, there are many gyro accidents caused by rusty pilots, or ones without the proper training. I would recommend to anyone who would listen, a refresher flight with an instructor after prolonged pause in flight activity… like what we had during the pandemic.

[@majorwedgie8166]

First thing to remember is that a gyro is not and does not fly using rotorcraft physics. Though they look similar, the flight dynamics vary considerably. If you find yourself in those situations then you need more duel/training before you consider flying a gyro again! As long as you understand the operating principles, the gyro copter is as safe as a fixed wing aircraft.

[@sddhvjlsdfhvjlsdfhvlhvkjsbnvs]

What a journey! loving it. Subscribed. What are the major or minor issues you encounter with your engine,(hopefully Rotax 915is)?

[@lagyro]

Thank you for watching and subscribing!!! My engine is a Rotax 912 with aftermarket turbo. It is supposed to give me around 120 horsepowers. It is not as powerful as the 915iS, but I managed to squeeze good performance out of it. There were few very high density altitude takeoffs, and those were white knuckle affairs, but that was to be expected. From a technical standpoint, this engine performs flawlessly. No excessive oil burn, no overheating when I pushed it close to its limits. When I inspected it upon my return, I still looks like new… That being said, if i had a 915 engine, I would have been more relaxed on those takeoffs mentioned above.

[@ct4cf]

I wonder what can b done about that constant vibration through the rotor head in2 your hands. It looks annoying, yet resolvable perhaps w/a careful blade balance? Try switching hands from time2 time 2 give the other a break& develop your ambidexterity? I do.

[@lagyro]

If you read the comments for these videos, you will notice many people mentioning the "vibrations"... You will also notice me telling everyone that determening the level of vibration based on an action cam video is not appropriate. There are many factors involved in recording the video that distort reality to a high degree. When it comes to switching hands to give one a rest from vibrations... let's just say that is a non-sense. If my gyro was vibrating that badly, why would I be so irresponsible to take a trip across the continent with an aircraft that is appearantly so out of wack? Are there vibrations? Absolutely... Are there excesive vibrations? Not according the few experienced gyro pilots who have flown on the front seat on invitation from me to tell me their opinion on the shake. These videos are for entertainment purposes, and I do appreciate you watching them. I do appreciate the feedback as well, that is why I try to respond to every comment.

[@Rick78852]

I just watch a pilot flying a Gyro and he stated he got a kit from Europe, he and his dad put it together. Your thoughts of kits?

[@lagyro]

Most gyros in the US are “Amateur Built Experimental”, so they are put together from kits… but most manufacturers require the kits be assembled at the factory. I did that twice and would recommend it to anybody who wants to get involved with gyros. Contact me at [e-mail] if you would like more info… or go to the website: www.lagyro.com

[@tomklitsch6638]

When is day 3 comming?

[@lagyro]

I am currently working on it...

[@Dodge-w8c]

What was your climb rate when you left on your second leg on the second day?

[@lagyro]

That was Heber City... It was not as challenging as later on in Wyoming. I don't remember the actual numbers. Later on when I compared my experience with the Kock Chart calculations it was fairly accurate at predicting more than 50% reduction in climb and almost 3 times the takeoff run. You can see how long I lingered close to the ground after teh turn to the north - that was not because I wanted to taka a closer look at the nice homes below... :)

[@jimwolfe2862]

What engine are you using Peter, naturally an aftermarket turbo 9 series of some sort.

[@lagyro]

It has a Rotax 912UL with aftermarket turbo… 120 HP estimated…

[@jimwolfe2862]

@@lagyro yep was just wondering who supplied/built the engine

[@lagyro]

The engine is stock 912UL coming from the Rotax factory in a box and it is a part of the kit. Additionally, Niki Rotor Aviation makes the airbox, intercooler, pipings, mounting hardware... The actual turbine is a 3rd party part.

[@jimwolfe2862]

@@lagyro Thanks mate sounds good I didn't know Niki were doing there own turbo motors

[@lagyro]

Yup, I was surprised too, but the savings you get from using that engine were something I liked...and now I know it is a solid setup...

[@pointmanzero]

This is like the ferrari gyro... I want one..

[@lagyro]

Then you should contact me… and start thinking about color… 😉

[@shable1436]

You can hear that rotax buzzing, is that one a 912, or 915i

[@lagyro]

My Kallithea has a 912 engine with an aftermarket turbo. It is supposed to give me 120 horsepowers. It is a fantastic combination for the money.

[@Dodge-w8c]

What was the max elevation Msl that you flew in your gyro?

[@lagyro]

Before the trip, at my local airport, I wanted to test my ability to sustain flight at high altitudes, so I just spiralled up to 10,000 feet and stayed there for about 10-15 minutes... That was a nothing burger of an experience, so it gave me confidence for the future trip. While approaching Chayenne I believe a ventured closer to 11,000 feet...

[@flatpat2988]

Did you say Super James drove from California to fix your gyrocopter?

[@lagyro]

Yup, he drove from Los Angeles to Provo to render assistance… you don’t find service like this anywhere…

[@jmcguckin]

What changes could the factory make to improve density altitude performance? Longer rotor blades? Add an extra blade? A larger engine?

[@lagyro]

Longer blades help with increased lift, more powerful engine would give you better performance at higher altitudes… Additional blade is out of question for a gyro with teetering rotor system.

[@jwald6795]

One more thing, where is Day 3 to Oshkosh?

[@lagyro]

Still in production... ;)

[@jwald6795]

@@lagyro

[@robertshaw4778]

Hello may I ask how long you've been a gyro pilot and what is your age ?

[@lagyro]

I have been a gyro pilot since 2017, and i am in my mid-50s.

[@shable1436]

Do you have a fixed wing as well?

[@lagyro]

I have a fixed wing Private Pilot certificate, but have not piloted a fixed wing in more than 3 year... having too much fun with the gyroplane...

[@shable1436]

@@lagyro this gyro seems way easier to fly than a fixed wing, even a tail dragger. My question is do you need anything else to fly these, like a special certification, or sport, experimental, or some type of proof that you have trained in autorotation or other helo emergency procedures?

[@lagyro]

@@shable1436 Gyros are a different category/class from the fixed wings, so you will need separate training. If you go to my website (www.lagyro.com) you will find detailed info for people who are already pilots and for the ones starting from scratch.

[@StevenIvy-j5o]

How distracting is is to fly that long with the constant stick shaking? Can the rotors be dynamically balanced to eliminate the movement?

[@lagyro]

Distracting… nah, being in the air, being busy with the overall navigation & flying keeps your mind away from small things like the “stick shake”… Can the rotor be balanced better… sure, it can always be better, but also keep in mind that a shake stabilized video is not the best method of judging the level of imbalance…

[@chillislives]

What was the mechanical issue?

[@lagyro]

There is a specific bolt in the engine compartment that was just about to snap. Good think I noticed it so I stayed on the ground until my fantastic mechanic drove all the way from Los Angeles with a replacement. Then I continued all the way to Oshkosh and back…

[@chillislives]

@@lagyro that's good service. Watching these videos, it looks like there is a lot of vibration. With a boxer engine that is surprising. Is there any way to mitigate that? Actually, being through the main control stick it must be from the rotor?

[@lagyro]

The vibrations are not coming from the engine… all rotorcraft suffer from rotor vibrations. There are ways to reduce them a bit, but not eliminate them completely. Also videos are not the best way to diagnose vibrations since the camera shakes as well and adds the illusion of even stronger vibrations.

[@rossross8224]

what was the problem with the gyro , you just said it needed fixed , what was wrong ??

[@lagyro]

A mounting bolt in the engine compartment was missed by me during my preflight that morning and has gotten itself loose and damaged itself. It was not too bad, bit it was great that I discovered it and replaced it with the help of Super James, my mechanic who traveled from Los Angeles to Provo to deliver the spare part and to assist in the installation. Needless to say, I have been checking on that bolt religiously ever since, and it has been sitting snug as a bug where it is supposed to be...

[@rossross8224]

@@lagyro hi thanks for the reply , just started getting into gyros , only done like 5 hours in scotland , so all new , but been learning lots from your videos 😀

[@lagyro]

I am glad my videos are a bit more than just entertainment…

[@berniemccann8935]

Better with the sound set to zero !

[@lagyro]

Thank you for watching… and i truly appreciate the feedback…

[@jwald6795]

why is it when you land the camera makes it look like your turning over on your left side. Weird looking.

[@lagyro]

Ha, good question… i just like to see the wheel touch the ground, but could never do it in flight… I guess i am overdoing it a bit, huh…