NOSEWHEEL AND RUDDER PEDALS

Unlike many gyroplanes, the Gyrobee is designed to operate off of turf strips and that puts considerable emphasis on the design of the landing gear.

The nose-wheel pivots on a 1/2 inch bolt in a solid steel pivot block at the front end of the keel tube. This block also supplies support for the bracket holding the rudder pedals. The cheek plates that secure the nose pivot block also provide the attachment point for the vertical pylon assembly that supports the instrument pod.

The axle bolt extensions from the nose-wheel provide the ability to steer on grass at very low speeds and to part and maneuver in very tight spaces. At normal taxi speeds and above, all steering is done with the rudder pedals.

The rudder pedals are constructed from aluminum sheet and angle stock, pop-riveted together. The rudder cables attach at the bottom of the pedal assemblies and cross over under the keel tube at the hardwood fair-lead block to provide the proper rudder action.

A triangular aluminum control horn, reinforced with angle stock along its leading edge, is connected to the rudder pedals via a linkage consisting of two Heim rod-ends on each side. Heavy-duty springs connect the horn to the nose-wheel yoke. These springs serve to decouple nose-wheel shock loads from the rest of the rudder control system.