@Mike Gonce Got your email thanks. The best solution for me was fitting the flexi joint in the exhaust. I took the pipes to a muffler shop and they cut and welded them for me. Make sure the overall length remains the same- for exhaust tuning and fit to the silencer. I had to move the EGT sensor boss slightly further from the exhaust port to clear the flexi joint. I have been running with this setup for about 50 hours now and am happy it. Isolating the silencer mass from the motor gives me a smooth idle down to below 1500, and it removes any misalignment stress from the pipe/flange joint.

I bought a 360 camera (Qoocam3) and have been playing around with it in my Nano. 2 test videos - one a flattened (non immersive) sequence from a flight last weekend, and the other an immersive version of the final landing. Fun to play with, but I need to tightly edit- the files can get big and slow to upload! I also need to evict the spider that has taken residence in the Nano! Black Sands 360 test,https://youtu.be/7mcC6DHQn-I?list=PLfBelnwkhYQ7YHpcF6fMf8Zc3vsmppC15 VR 360 landing,https://youtu.be/VtF1-H0LW2U?list=PLfBelnwkhYQ7YHpcF6fMf8Zc3vsmppC15

I found the stl files- https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/r1z5x97sifhev4520qk8n/h?rlkey=980lplm1l3vs7ut95a1urxtuu&dl=0

Yes, all sorted! The exhaust shop fitted a reducer over the flogged tube end. It is a very tight interference fit with the spigot so I got everything aligned and welded the reducer/spigot joint. Nice and solid, engine runs smooth from idle to full noise.

@Mike Gonce Sorry, I can't find the camera mount stl- I must have inadvertently deleted it. Best to ask Fusioncopter- lukasz.miroslaw@fusioncopter.eu

Email from FC- Check the attached photos. For some time now we have been using a full stop ring on the exhaust stub instead of a partial one like the one you have. It's worth doing something similar when repairing your exhaust system.

In emails with Fusioncopter, they said that in later models those tabs have been changed to a collar around the spigot, providing a full 360 degree face for the exhaust tube to locate against. No notches or cutouts- simpler, better! Mine is an early model (s/n 14) - I am redoing my exhaust the same, so that problem should never recur. Thanks for the help FC!

Further to this- While the LH exhaust is away being repaired, I had a good look at the RH exhaust. One mount starting to show a crack, and evidence of creep in the sliding joint over the exhaust flange spigot. Same as in the pics above, but not as pronounced. The issue is the joint is held under tension by the springs, and located by some tabs welded to the spigot which mate with cutouts on the muffler pipe. The cutouts are folded out presenting an angled face to the tabs, rather than cut and having a flat face. Under vibration and tension, the folded cutout slowly folds more and more..... I will get both pipe ends replaced and make sure the cutout faces are flat. And perhaps consider some securing screws, though not sure about that. Any advice?

It sits there quite fine through ground and air operations. I was prepared to make up a securing clip or rubber strap if needed, but so far so good. If you mount the radio this way, put some stiffening strips on the inside to spread the load and prevent localised stress points.

Yes, mine is a Hirth F23 with carburetors. In NZ there is no fuel restriction for Part 103 microlights, so Fusioncopter fitted a larger 30l tank for me.

I have a 30l tank on my Nano, cruising at 80km/hr burning 15l/hr. That gives 2hrs/160km max duration/range, 1.5hrs/120km safe duration/range. The longest single leg flight I have flown is just over 1hr/100km. I have about 20kg spare with full tank and pilot, so have been thinking about some arrangement with saddle bags to hold an additional 10l each side, cross-coupled under the belly with a 12V transfer pump to top up the main tank in flight. That would give me 50l/3hrs/240km. I had a similar system on my trike that worked very well. But this needs more thought- the Nano is a sweet looking machine, so any mods/additions will need to match it in quality, build and appearance.

Very similar method- *2000erpm *slowly engage pre-rotator and gently throttle up to maintain 2000erpm *at about 2000/120rpm prerotate is fully engaged and engine/rotor synched- you can hear when it does *progressively increase throttle to about 3000/175 and we are ready to roll! *stick back, brakes off, disengage pre-rotate and away we go! I can't get more than about 170-175rrpm, but that is fine for me. If the brakes slip, a bit of back stick above 120rrpm. One gotcha- make sure your brakes disengage. I fly from a grass strip, and one take-off took a bit longer that normal to get airborne. It wasn't until my downwind landing checks that I noticed the brakes were still engaged! I checked the take-off wheel tracks and confirmed the rear wheels skidded along in the wet grass. I now unlock and manually hold the brakes during pre-rotate, as things get a bit busy during the initial takeoff run- not a good time for unexpected surprises!

Have a look at the Fusioncopter Poland website > fusioncopter.eu It will cover most of your questions. Be aware that the 50HP specs are for the Minari engine, to be replaced by the Hirth, but I would expect similar specs. You will need a nice thick insulated flight suit!

Is that the full manual? It stops abruptly at page 10 leaving out detail of all the functions it provides.

Thanks- that is very useful, downloaded fine for me.

Does anyone have a dimensioned plan view drawing of the Nano? I want to start building a trailer ahead of delivery, so need width & length for landing gear, and overhang fore and aft. I will also ask FC, but maybe someone here has that data?

Those wheel straps are a good idea- I see car transporters using that method, so apparently a good solution. I plan to go for a simple open T trailer as I had for my trike. Channel up the spine for the nosewheel, short channels for mains on the T head. Covers for the Nano cabin, mast and prop (and tail surfaces?). Probably also a short V screen at the front, with mounts for 2x 20l fuel containers and oil/tool box. Tubes up either side of centre for rotor blades.

Hi guys. Stuart Parker from New Zealand. A Nano 50HP on order. Ex PPL, 750 hr microlight pilot and instructor in weight-shift and 3-axis, going over to the dark side and giving gyros a try.