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Aircraft Structure
Most manufacturers are going to get you started in your construction by starting on the structure. Just like you need a foundation to build a house on, the basic gyroplane structure is what all other assemblies will attach to. A majority of the kits typically use an extruded aluminum box beam or a welded tubular steel airframe as the basic structure. In either case the basic structure carries a majority of the loads and stresses. The drawings and construction figures are normally generated from computer aided design software programs or CAD design. These CAD programs are usually defaulted to engineering notation. This means dimensions will look like 12.75" versus 12 3/4". This means it will be far easier to lay out using an engineering rule graduated in tenths of an inch instead of fractions. You can find rules of the six inch variety pretty easy but you will probably want an eighteen and twenty-four inch rule as well. They can be a little more difficult to find and you may not use them that often but you will certainly be glad when you need them. An engineering rule is a precision instrument and you will be able to make precise, accurate layouts and keep within the standards of build that you simply cannot achieve with fractional rules. Read, read and read again the instructions for the procedures you are about to perform. This is new for you and there will be words and acronyms that you have never heard before. Take your time and understand the text and drawings before you start. Pay attention to what is forward and top as it relates to the part or material and do not skip over any notes cautions or warnings. Failure to pat attention to notes, cautions or warnings may damage the part or cause injury or even death if they are not heeded. When you are familiar with the task to be performed then you can begin to perform the steps necessary to complete the task. Go step by step and check each step off as you complete it. Use tape or a sharpie type permanent marker to idetify sides, parts and layout lines. For precise layouts use a mechanical pencil except in areas of high heat or temperature where the graphite can cause cracking. When laying out any point the mechanical pencil will be more precise but may be difficult to see or cannot be used due to the heat factor. When you go to drill a hole, before you start, use a center punch and locate the point. This will keep your drill bit from walking across the material as it starts to cut. Keep the drill as perpendicular to the material as possible for a nice straight, square, hole. A square can be used to check for perpedicularity. Place the square on the part and alongside the drill bit. A small machinist square is great for this check. Use the square as needed until you get into the groove of things. You will likely be doing a lot of drilling initially in your construction as capture plates and fittings are fitted for installation of the mast, landing gear and engine mount assemblies. In very short order your material will start to resemble the form of a gyroplane. With the foundation complete, the manufacturers will progress the construction process in different avenues of assembly that best suits the kit design. See airframes for a closer look at the gyroplanes structure.
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