President Reagan

[Heron]

I did not see any comments in this Forum about Mr. Reagan's passing away!
Am I missing something?
Heron

[Chuck Irby]

He was a good man and one of the best presidents we've ever had, IMO.

[GeneWeber]

When I was 18 I had the honor and privilege of casting my first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. My Democratic parents are still wondering “where they went wrong” in my upbringing. :confused: :confused:

Gene

[Chuck Irby]

Gene,

My parents wonder about me too. They think they are consertive, and think that I am a radical. I am a radical, but they think that's bad. I think it's good.

I campaigned hard, door to door, for Mr. Reagan before both of his elections. I even met him in person at the Dallas, Texas Convention Center in 1980. I was 37 at the time.

[le-wardy]

Chuck,
There's nothing like being labelled a 'black sheep' in the family, eh !! Gives you something to live up to, reputation wise. :D

[Chuck Irby]

Thanks for that, Les. LOL! Incidentally, they don't think I am bad, just radical, and they can't see the good in me being radical. BTW, I am only talking about being radical politically, and the fact that I fly a gyroplane.

[le-wardy]

I bet the family aren't enjoying life as much as you are Chuck. Radical, be damned. Would they prefer that you dress "to the nines", and go to Sunday school instead. Sheesh !! ;)

[Chuck Irby]

Exactly! I believe you hit the nail on the head. Les, what is your flying ecperience?

[le-wardy]

Chuck,
I don't have any flying experience in gyros. But I have been a passenger in a few types of helos and fixed-wing. My brother is a fixed-wing pilot, and takes me along as a passenger sometimes when he doesn't like going up solo.

Have been fascinated by helicopters for 30 years. And have read about gyros for 20 years, building up a small library along way (magazine articles, books, short video footage). Seen a few gyros up close and flying a few times. WOW !! that's amazing.

Was keen on buying a Farrington "Twinstarr", until Farrington's operation suddenly closed the doors permanently. Bummer !! :( It still remains my favourite, and most desired gyro though.

Hope to be in the air sometime in the next 2 years, pending on the house mortgage commitments loosening the financial shackles a bit.

Have learnt a lot from Norm's forum (when it was up and running), as well as this one during the past 12 -14 months. Even follow what goes on in the UK, and of course the Aussie gyro forums. Love reading about all the new developments occuring within the gyro world. The innovation and the resourcefulness amongst the gyro fraternity is impressive.

It's fun to laugh with all the fellow gyronauts around the world, and listen (or is that read ?) when technical aspects are discussed.

Helicopters may have started my fascination, but gyros now maintain my passion and thirst for flying.

If I had an opportunity at sometime to fly a helo, or a gyro. Which would I choose ??

Always a gyro, of course. Why ?? Because everyday people know so little about their existance, I want to educate them about the fact of, if it wasn't the gyroplane being invented. We wouldn't have helicopters today.

Glad to of made you laugh Chuck with my replies. I hope my little background story answers your curiousity about me.

Les.

[Chuck Irby]

Les,

I appreciate you taking the time to allow us to get to know you better.

Like you, I have a good bit of time in fixed wing and helicopter, but only as a passenger and some control time, but while in the air only. No training in either. I got several hours in a French Llama, and fell in love with the helicopter. My all time best friend, who had thousands of hours in fixed wing, advised me never to get an ultra light, but recommended the gyro wholeheartedly, as long as I got one with plenty of power. That extra power has saved me form serious injury, or maybe death.

Flying the gyro is the most fun I have ever experienced in my 61 years, and I learn more everytime I go up.

[Heron]

I like Mr. REagan, he was in his time the most powerfull man in the planet and spite few mistakes he made, his terms were ok and he did good.
I was considered radical, subversive and even a terrorist by my father at the same time my group considered me a right wing conservative square lunatic. go figure!
Heron

[le-wardy]

Heron, you're a normal 'black sheep' like the few us here. Geez, if someone called me all that. I'd be bursting with pride, that I obviously accomplished something in my life. ;) :D

[Heron]

It was mostly fun, but sometimes I felt lost . . .
heron