RUTLAND WATER GOLF COURSE

MAY 2005

My first Fly-in invitation - and I had to drive there - how uncool is that?!!  Bill Sacker, the new owner of the ’Chopper is Born’ ship invited me and some other owners to an informal gathering on the southern bank of Rutland Water - a huge man-made reservoir pretty-much smack in the middle of England.  Bill’s friend, Steve Makey, owner of Rutland Water Golf Club, kindly donated some space at the end of the driving range - thankfully beyond the reach of most mortal golfers, and loaned us a Golf Buggy as a makeshift fuel bowser. I had previously spoken to or emailed a few of the gang in attendance and was soon introduced to the others. The weather was kind, Bill kept us all fed with a tasty barbie of local bangers and burgers and the conversation - centred around Rotorways, of course, made for a friendly, relaxing and educational afternoon.

Our hope was to see a Rotorway in the air for the first time but my partner, Sue and I were delighted to see not one, but six and were both fortunate enough to be offered a flight - the first for both of us.

Here’s Bill taking a passenger her first Rotorway experience

and Martin, buckling Sue in for her first flight

Although she felt a little nervous at first, Martin promised not to perform any aerobatics and easily converted her from apprehensive to enthusiastic in a five minute flight. Now I have to teach her to read a map - and that’ll take longer than five minutes!!

This is Ivan from ICB Helicopters. This feller is an amazing pilot and extremely knowledgeable about Rotorways. He kindly offered to take me for my first flight in his Exec 90. My first impression was that it was not too different to the Robinson and that it felt stable and surprisingly substantial around me. The controls felt slightly heavier that the R22 I’m used to, especially the pedals, but I managed to hover it untidily after a few attempts. Ivan demonstrated the Rotorway’s remarkable Autorotation abilities, downwind take offs and quick stops.

Ivan is gaining a reputation for superb rigging and balancing as demonstrated here in this ‘Hands Off’ hover. It’ll just sit there almost indefinitely - not a practice I’d recommend to anyone else, but very impressive.

Ivan’s ship has a digital Rotor Tach below the standard dual one which I thought was a good idea and his Transponder is mounted in the wide sill just forward of the Collective lever - another good idea.

Rodericks pant-less 162F

This one has a Helipac fitted. Apparently you can fit the doors inside.

This ship belongs to Lars Fellman and is registered in Finland. Something fishy about this one.

The day was rounded off with a meal for twelve in a local restaurant and an overnight stay in a country pub. Great stuff - and what it’s all about. Our thanks to everyone.

A WET WEEKEND AT IVANS

September 2005

We’ve been very lucky here in England this year - we’ve had two Summers!! One was on a Monday and the other on a Thursday. Trouble is, Ivan Bedford of ICB Helicopters scheduled his annual Fly-in on a Saturday and Sunday - alas, non - Summer days. He did the same thing last year and the year before - some people never learn!! Nevertheless, Sue and I, accompanied by fellow builder Malcolm Bird made the four hundred mile round trip in support of the brave young whippersnapper and, despite a continual deluge all day Saturday and a windy , cold Sunday we had a surprisingly enjoyable and very enlightening weekend.

The event was held at a cracking venue - Skegness Water Leisure Park, AKA Skegness Airfield, where Ivan has some hanger space and a connection with the owner - hence the colourful graphic on his ship.

Monsoon-like rainfall for the preceding couple of days pretty much put paid to any fixed wing action on the waterlogged runway. The Band and Barbie were canceled and everyone possible contacted and put in the picture.

But the weather still didn’t put everyone off. We were joined by a few other brave souls, including David and Jonathan Bull of Southern Helicopters, for a few hours of chit chat, coffee and sarnies.

Singing and dancing in the rain - Jean Kelly gets into the spirit - (or maybe the spirit has got into her).

Ivan had managed to get 3 ships under cover in the hanger, all of which were for sale. The ‘Chopper is Born’ ship still provided some new comparative information even though I’d seen it  a few times before.

In a way, the event proved perhaps even more educational for Malcolm and I than it would have had it been perfect weather and seething with guests. We spend a delightful evening with Ivan and his wife Cheryl at a superb local restaurant where we learned so much about Ivan’s passion - Rigging and Balancing Rotorways. This feller is definitely on a Mission to collect, collate and analyse as much data on as many Rotorways as he possibly can. He has devised innovative techniques and manufactured dedicated equipment to Track and Balance Rotorways to a level probably unseen anywhere else in the world.

The following morning we visited Ivans home where we were shown around his workshop and given comprehensive and unreserved answers to all our questions. Very impressive stuff. The guy has no secrets, he’s not in it for the money and is truly passionate about improving the flight characteristics and safety of Rotorways. How refreshing.

                            Is Malcolm a man happy in his element, do you think?

The rain stopped long enough on Sunday for Ivan to fly G-NEEL from his house to the airfield where a few more hardy visitors showed up. The Bulldog Spirit is alive and well and based in Skegness for the weekend.

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