Earthstar Forums

Can anyone who has flown an Odyssey and single place gull tell me if
there is a big difference in flight characteristics? I was leaning
toward the Gull 2000 because my wife was not going to fly with me.
And the video sure makes the single seat look like fun. But I think
she may change her mind. In that hope, I may want to get the
Odyssey, but I'd like to know what I'll be sacraficing, if anything.

One thing I'm concerned about is the stick. From the pictures I've
seen, I can't figure out how it works. It looks like the stick is in
the center, between the two seats. Then there's this "T" bar at the
top, and each side has a handle. Is that correct? Is it awkward to
use or does it feel the same as as having the stick between your legs?

Thanks

Will

Will, I can't make a comparison between the Odyssey and Gull2K for
you, but since I just flew in the demo Odyssey with Mark on Monday, I
can describe the dual control stick feel. The actual "stick" comes up
between the seats, and the rocking T-bar just pivots across the the
top of the stick. The rocking motion of the T-bar has absolutely no
control effect at all. When it is rocked to left it is positioned for
the pilot to control, and when it is rocked to the right it is
positioned for the co-pilot to control. If you do not look at it
while you are flying, you can almost imagine the stick grip as coming
up between your knees like normal. To me the feel is not "exactly"
the same, but it is very easy to get used to after just a few minutes
of use. In the first few minutes, I would sometimes try to rock it
like a yoke for heading corrections, but after a very short time it
began to feel more like a normal stick. It also makes getting into
and out of the plane very easy! :-) I suppose that it also be
possible to convert it to a more conventional center stick, but that
would loose some it's utility, and require a new location for the
center mounted throttle. BTW, the stick "feel" is very light. You can
just use two fingers to control it comfortably.

--Dave

Thanks, Dave.

I'm simply going to have to get down to DCC to check it out for
myself. My social director (wife) has me booked for the next four
weekends. Well, three. The weekend of Sept 6th is a Harley
gathering at Wildwood NJ. Can't miss that. But I'll get with Joe
and get the full scoop. The picture you took was excellent. And the
one on Mark's site (http://www.thundergull.com/odyssey.htm) has a
shot from inside the Odyssey while on final approach. That picture
confused me at first, but I guess the grip on the left side of the
picture must be the Flaps. So if I'm reading your e-mail correctly
and the picture... the throttle and flap handle are both in the
center? Makes for a busy right hand while attempting to land, no?
Better start trying to do things with my left.

Thanks for info and good luck on your build. I'm still working on my
daughter's wedding plans. Man, this stuff's expensive. I keep
praying they'll elope.

The parralax in that photo is awful!!!!!!!!
The left grip in the photo is really the left stick grip, since the
flap handle is at the top center of the cabin.


So if I'm reading your e-mail correctly
> and the picture... the throttle and flap handle are both in the
> center? Makes for a busy right hand while attempting to land, no?
> Better start trying to do things with my left.
>
Will, your description is not quite correct. From the pilot's seat
you would be holding the downward facing stick grip in you left hand,
while your right hand is on the center throttle. The flap handle
would be above your head in the center of the cockpit. From the right
seat, it's your right hand on the stick and your left hand for the
throttle and flaps. When I went up with Mark, I was in the right seat
so I used the stick with my right hand. Of course you could hold the
stick with either hand, but the method I described is the reccomended
way, and it balances the work load better.

> Thanks for info and good luck on your build. I'm still working on my
> daughter's wedding plans. Man, this stuff's expensive. I keep
> praying they'll elope.

I know what you mean!!!!!!!!
We are at the stage of waiting hour by hour for our first grandchild
to arrive. Our daughter was in the hospital last night, but it turned
out to be a false start and they sent her home again.

Good luck with the wedding!!
--Dave