Fatal gyro accident in Michigan

[gyroplanes]

With sorrow I submit the following information.
I was first informed by Randy O. (RANDO) who knew Dan from their club. Dan hosted a meeting at his business last fall, as we reported on the forum. A video of his flying was posted on You Tube. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.

Randy is an Incident Response Team member and is offering his services in the investigation.

ERIE, Mich. — A Temperance, Mich., man was killed today when his experimental aircraft on its maiden flight crashed in a bean field just west of a grass airstrip, authorities said.

Daniel P. Grochowski, 38 , died when his gyrocopter crashed shortly before 2:30 p.m. in a bean field near Telegraph and Temperance Roads. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Erie Township Fire Chief David Duvall said.

Mr. Grochowski had just built the gyrocopter and was on a test flight when the crash occurred, Chief Duvall said. No one else was aboard the aircraft, he said.

Chief Duvall said witnesses reported that the aircraft’s rotor, which is located above its open seat and provides lift, had stopped rotating or had come off, causing the aircraft to plummet to the ground.

The crash was the second time in six weeks that Mr. Grochowski has crashed with a gyrocopter. On Aug. 12, Mr. Grochowski’s aircraft plunged into the Maumee River near the I-75 bridge when it got caught in the wind and somersaulted into the water.

“Half his life he’s been building these and flying these,” Sgt. Anthony Konopka of the Erie Township Police Department said today.

The sergeant said that several of Mr. Grochowski’s co-workers witnessed the accident and were at the crash site almost immediately.

[flightexpress]

That is too bad I've talked with him alot when I was in MI....May he rest in peace...........Kurt

[GyroRon]

I heard about this yesterday. Was told his wife was there when he went down.... Man that makes it even worse. Hopefully Randy and JazzenJohn can get there to take a look. Apparently this was the first flight after the accident on the river a few weeks ago and there is some doubt that perhaps something simple was overlooked in the preflight inspection. Rotors don't just come off or stop turning!

[route66]

What a shame that this has to happen. Wasn’t he the guy promoting his Sky Tec Gyro on floats? Seems I also remember him being on the cover of Rotorcraft Magazine a couple years ago flying a 1 place Heli he was working on. My condolences to his family and friends, it is just sad! I am not sure if he was a member of the Forum but I think we might want to come together and authorize sending a memorial to his funeral from the Forum. We have few bucks left in the Flower Fund if everyone feels as I do. Let me know and I’ll do what you need.

[Timchick]

Very sad. I don't know if he ever came on the forum but some of the guys from the forum knew him. I vote we send something to the funeral. We'll keep his family in our prayers.

[route66]

Tim or any others, Let me know and details of where the condolences should be sent and maybe some ideas on how you want them worded or by plant, flower or endowment. I am on the road but will make it happen as we need. If I could find the old Flower Fund Thread we should post there. Let me know.

[Aviomania]

My condolences to his family. It is always very sad when someone is killed doing what he/she loves. Let’s pray it will be the last.

[Rando]

Daniel P. Grochowski Jr.
1969-2007
GROCHOWSKI Daniel P. "J R" Jr. Daniel P. "J R" Grochowski Jr., age 38, of Temperance, MI, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 21, 2007. Daniel was born on April 13, 1969, in Toledo to Daniel and Dorothy (Jagielski) Grochowski Sr. He was a member of Whitmer High School's class of '87, and a graduate of Owens Community College. Prior to opening his own business, 3-D Machining in Erie, MI, which he operated for the last 4 years, Daniel worked for Picoh Tool & Die in Toledo for 5 years, and Edco Tool & Die in Toledo for over 10 years. He was also owner and operator of Skytech, president of Bi-State Helicopter, and a member of PRA Rotorcraft. An avid gyrocopter enthusiast, he had built and flown gyrocopters for ten years and was working to obtain his pilot's license. Daniel loved life and lived it to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, employees, and fellow flyers. In addition to his loving parents, Daniel Sr. and Dorothy, Daniel's survivors include his sister, Vicky Chelchowski; brother-in-law, David Dillon; nephews, Ian and Aaron Chelchowski and niece, Amanda Chelchowski. He also leaves behind his "4-legged children", Droopy, Diane, Dede, Darlet, and Dakota. Family and friends may visit on Monday from 2-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. in the Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114-128 East Alexis Rd. Funeral Services will take place on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. James Auth presiding. Interment will follow in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery. Please view and offer online condolences at www.sujkowski.com

[PTKay]

Brave Polish-American guy, died doing what he loved...

:(

Looking on the names, his whole family was of Polish descent...

R.I.P. from the country of his roots...

[barnstorm2]

Very sad.

My condolences.

The report seems difficult to take as accurate.

There are virtually no incedents of rotors 'coming off' that I have ever heard of.

.

[enewbold]

The report seems difficult to take as accurate. There are virtually no incedents of rotors 'coming off' that I have ever heard of.
Yes, it's extremely sad and disheartening. I met this nice young man at Mentone this year and we discussed flying and flight lessons for a short time.

Regarding the 'rotor coming off' report, as he had just completed repairs to his machine after experiencing a tip over in the river a couple of months ago, maybe it's possible something failed as he was flying, causing the rotor to 'appear' to come off to the spectators, but perhaps not fully separating from the machine. I don't know... just guessing.

Anyway, I feel badly for his family and close friends.

[Rando]

This gyro was NOT the same gyro that he crashed several weeks ago. This was a brand new recently assembled one. Please don't speculate on the cause.

I can guarantee that we will have the facts as to what caused this accident very soon. Please be patient until I can verify everything.

[barnstorm2]

This just came across my RSS feed....


The pilot of an experimental helicopter died when the helicopter crashed at the Erie Aerodome Airport on Telegraph Road in Erie Township on Friday afternoon.

Monroe County police said the 38-year-old pilot from Erie Township built, what they are calling the girocopter, and this was his first time flying it.

Witnesses said they saw the blades of the experimental helicopter spinning out of control before it crashed.

Police have not released the pilot?s name.

Monroe County Police said they will be investigating to determine if the crash was a mechanical malfunction or pilot error.

Stay with Local 4 News and ClickOnDetroit.com as more information becomes available.

[barnstorm2]

This gyro was NOT the same gyro that he crashed several weeks ago. This was a brand new recently assembled one. Please don't speculate on the cause.

I can guarantee that we will have the facts as to what caused this accident very soon. Please be patient until I can verify everything.

Excellent post.

Thank you for looking into the facts Randy.

So far the press has given us zilch.

.

[dragonflyerthom]

Randy

Is Dan the builder that was promoting floats on an open gyro?

[Rando]

Randy

Is Dan the builder that was promoting floats on an open gyro?Yes, and he had been flying on floats successfully for the past several years.

[StanFoster]

Thoughts and prayers to the family. This news just gives me a dull ache inside. STAN

[C. Beaty]

There is a thread about Dan Grochowski’s operation:

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10161&highlight=Grochowski

[gyro]

I remember when this video was posted....I was impressed with his take off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Wyr4yvaTA&NR=1

[GrantR]

I am sad to hear this. The damn media gets everything so distorted its ashamed. I just really love that news report!

Bottom line is bad things happen. People get killed everyday. Cars kill more people than any form of flying does but you don’t see car crash reports every time someone dies or has a fender bender.

Sorry to hijack but it make me mad!

I am glad Dan was doing what he loved. I wish you guy the best in finding the cause of the crash.

[Hognose]

It's sad to lose such a clever and energetic guy. I hope that his family will take some comfort in knowing he took the risks deliberately for the joy and freedom of flight.

RIP Dan. Let's honor him in a way he would appreciate -- let's fly.

regards

-=K=-

[Chuck_Ellsworth]

How sad to see someone so talented in making things die in a toy.

Why are there so many fatatilities in the gyro flying end of aviation?

Is it poor training, lack of training, improperly designed gyros or is it a combination of all of the above.

I just can't accept doing what you love and getting killed to do it.

[Resasi]

Condolances to family and friends. Doubt that Dan considered it a toy Chuck. Seems to have been a passion and a business he was following, obviously something that held a deep meaning to him. Videos and pictures all pointed towards attention to detail and experience with gyros. Hope that the investigation will enlighten us all as to the cause of this tragic accident.

[Racer]

I also agree this is very sad and I also wish the best for his family, No easy way to deal with a situation like this.
I guess another way to look at it is I have a relative who is dying a horrible painful death in the hospital. Every day they are poking and prodding something into him, Giving him drugs and potions that even make me sick, he is suffering day in and day out.
Given a choice which way would you like to go? I personally would choose Passing on doing what I loved rather then rotting away in a hospital bed while the doctors treat you like a lab rat.

God bless you Dan, rest in peace.

[Rehan K.Janjua]

RIP Dan.
Very Sad indeed.

My heart felt condolences to family and friends.

[Chuck_Ellsworth]

Condolances to family and friends. Doubt that Dan considered it a toy Chuck

.................................................. ..................

Resasi, my comment was not meant to be a put down, it was meant to describe the catagory of aircraft that a homebuilt gyro is.

Flying for fun should not be any more dangerous than flying for pay as a commercial pilot.

All I am trying to point out is there seems to be a very high number of fatal accidents in gyroplanes and it would be far better for the gyroplane group to work towards bringing this sport into the same level of safety as the rest of aviation.

Is that so wrong that I think that way?

And I am not pre judging why this accident happened as we just do not know.

[dragonflyerthom]

Of all the ways to go I avoid the hospital like the plague. In my bed, or doing what I love to do. If it is my time then that is the way. My heart felt condolences to the family and friends in this sad moment. As young as he was he has left a legacy to his childeren.

[Not Yet]

I’m very sad to read of Dan’s death. I met him and photographed him flying the float equipped gyro. He was a nice guy and I would have liked to see his work progress. His contribution to autogyros will be missed.

[Rando]

I just returned from the Funeral Home. JazzenJohn and I extended our condolences to the family. They had a copy of the Rotorcraft magazine with Dan on the cover inside the casket. (remember to click on the attachment to enlarge it)

[scottessex]

I am sad to hear of this, God be with his family at this time.

[ben]

my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends

[Resasi]

Thought long and hard about posting this at this extremely sad time but one can only imagine that Dan would have wanted something positive for a sport he obviously loved so much, and it is only in that spirit that this is written. As Kevin said "RIP Dan. Let's honor him in a way he would appreciate -- let's fly." and, hopefully learn something from a tragedy.


Chuck "How sad to see someone so talented in making things die in a toy." Not aware that the catagory of a single seat gyro is 'toy' but you make an important point about the level of fatalities and level of safety in the sport for the good of us all. Without pre-judging, because indeed we do not know what happened, does not mean that we cannot try to understand, and learn if we can, from every such loss to the gyro family.

Reading through CB's link to a previous thread two specific comments, that may very well have nothing to do with the accident, did flag up points to a newbie trying to learn and understand gyro flying. One was "...throttling back at the apex of his climb before changeing attitude of the craft or one day he may well experience a PPO ! ... he preformed what you are Not supposed to do on a HTL machine." Another, was about the size of the HS.

If Dan was a self taught pilot like so many others around the world. "Is it poor training, lack of training, improperly designed gyros or is it a combination of all of the above." would seem to have relevance here.

A point made in a sticky elsewhere on Rotary Forum. "... imitators of Bensen's designs used inverted Rotax engines with 5 ft. diameter propellers and copied the engine tilt used by Bensen without having the foggiest notion as to why. The net result was a dangerously unstable machine that caused a rash of fatal accidents. The addition of a small horizontal stabilizer somewhat mitigated but did not solve the problem." Again, may have nothing to do with the accident, but made a good point about depth of knowledge. Thing is there are many extremely talented members in every single field of gyro design, construction, training and flying on this Forum. It is already an invaluable pool of knowledge we are lucky to have, but seem to use on an ad hoc and informal basis. Is it not possible to get together and make available to the gyro community some standard guidelines on both training, and design that we can all turn to in order to help prevent just such tragedies in the future, without resorting to the rather draconian restraints on freedom imposed by the authorities over here that have come about as a result of such accidents?

[barnstorm2]

Fantastic post Resasi.

I agree completely.


I have been going through the old threads about Dan's work and I am deeply saddened by not only the loss of a loved pilot but the loss of someone who truly participated in the sport and was trying to enlarge the pool of hands-on machinists and vendors.

I hope that someone will take the work of Greg Gremminger, CBeaty and others and publish it so that we can have a 'book of standards' for stability, training and safety that is detailed enough for the engineers but simple enough for a consumer and student to follow.

.

[automan1223]

This is terrible news.

Was this machine the one in the video ?

Are there any photos or was this a new design ?

J

[Rando]

It was a recently assembled SkyTec gyroplane just like the one in the link below. A customer was in the processing of purchasing it and Dan took it up to check out the gyro before delivery.

http://3dmachiningllc.com/skytec.php

[Paul_in_Ohio]

Very sad news. I met him last year when my son and I took a trip up to the open house he had at his shop. We visited his house to see his "hanger". To say he was energetic and passionate is a pale description as I think back to the brief glimpse I was able to have into this man’s life. He could not find enough outlets for his creativity. He will be missed.

[NoWingsAttached]

I too met Dan at Mentone this year, we had lots to talk about, both of us being from Michigan and being water-lovers. He was a really nice guy, and I was looking forward to meeting up with he and his wife again someday soon...darn.

[gyroplanes]

I have been told that a very definate cause to Dan's accident was found.
I understand photos and a summary will be forthcoming. There will be no doubt in anyone's mind. Please do not call me.

No need to further speculate on training, stabilizers, etc.

[GrantR]

When should we see the finding?

[gyroplanes]

I would expect a forum member to post the information in a day or two, depending on how busy he is.

[billygyro]

it's verry sad, and he will be missed, i know i didnt get the opp. to meet him.i do remember seeing his photo in the pra mag, flying on the front cover.
i hope it's not ever me that people will see on the forum like this. i do love the gyro's and will wait my turn as far as flying the gyro. still in trainning, i have planed on picking my gyro up in south Florida this comming weekend,i just bought it on e-bay, i wont even get in it untill all lessons are complet and it has been flown by someone before hand that know's what they are doing. i to think that dan really loved what he was doing, but also really dont think he wanted it to be his last flight. it's really up to the man upstair's to decide when and how- no matter what we are doing at the time. his family and freinds will be in my prayer's. RIP DAN. enjoy the new set of wing's that god give's you.

[Hognose]

Tom --

Thanks for the update. It will help to know, and put the speculation to rest.

Billy --

I saw a plaque in Base Ops at an AFB that said, "Only two things can happen, and both of them are bad. You can walk out to the plane knowing this is your last flight. Or you can walk out to the plane not knowing...."

If others can learn from Dan's mishap and save their own lives, I hope his friends and family members can take comfort in that.

cheers

-=K=-

[Rando]

Chief Duvall said witnesses reported that the aircraft’s rotor, which is located above its open seat and provides lift, had stopped rotating or had come off, causing the aircraft to plummet to the ground.[/B]We have confirmed this to be true. We are still trying to determine the "how" and the "why". Once we are sure of the cause, we will post the data.

In the meantime, please check and double check all the critical parts of your own gyros before each flight!

[birdy]

Not be'n nosey mate, but wot part are you confirmn?
That the rotor stoped or came off, or both?

[Rando]

The rotor was turning when it came off.

[birdy]

Thanx Randy.
I feel for you blokes checkn this out for our benifit.
The same sorta thing happened over here earlier in the year, [ rotors left the machine] and the people that saw it where understandably pretty shook up, so we'll give you blokes all the time you need to figure the whys.
:(

again, thanx for the promt updates.

[GrantR]

Randy,

Did the hub bar/ whole rotor assembly part with the airframe?

[Aviomania]

Thanks Randy,

We will be waiting for the whys as they will be helpful for the rest of us.

Birdy,
Any links as to what may happened on the accident you mentioned?

[Brent Drake]

I'm very sorry for the family and may he rest in peace. I saw him at Mentone. But can't remember talking with him. I'm not very good with names.

[birdy]

Lookn for it on the ASRA site Randy.
Me be'n simple n all, it could take a while. ;)

[Friendly]

Thanx Randy.
I feel for you blokes checkn this out for our benifit.
The same sorta thing happened over here earlier in the year, [ rotors left the machine] and the people that saw it where understandably pretty shook up, so we'll give you blokes all the time you need to figure the whys.
:(

again, thanx for the promt updates.

Birdy,
would you comment on this more in another thread. It is the first I heard of it or is there an older tread?

[Harry_S.]

Just a gut feeling...for want of a cotter pin...

.

[MikeBoyette]

Just a gut feeling...for want of a cotter pin...

.

That's what I was told it was Harry. That's why Dad uses a nylock nut in his rotor head.

[Ralph]

Guys,

The "WHAT HAPPENED" part of this investigation is quite simple - the rotor departed the airframe due to a structural failure of the rotor head.

The "WHY IT HAPPENED" part is turning out to be a complex issue and the team wants to get a complete picture. Once we have gone as far as possible in reconstructing the failure, the report will be widely distributed.

I would urge folks to hold off on the speculation and devote your attention to making sure your rotor head is included in a painstaking preflight inspection.

Ralph

[dragonflyerthom]

Guys,

The "WHAT HAPPENED" part of this investigation is quite simple - the rotor departed the airframe due to a structural failure of the rotor head.

The "WHY IT HAPPENED" part is turning out to be a complex issue and the team wants to get a complete picture. Once we have gone as far as possible in reconstructing the failure, the report will be widely distributed.

I would urge folks to hold off on the speculation and devote your attention to making sure your rotor head is included in a painstaking preflight inspection.

Ralph


Ralph

Most of us are waiting for the report. Speculations abound I'm sure. Please keep us informed. Good suggestions about the rotor head. It has been stated in the past that there has never been a Jesus bolt failure. So some of us may have relaxed our walk around. Not a good thing to do.

[automan1223]

There are several "Jesus" bolts on the rotor head, the main teeter bolt and the main Spindle / bearing bolt. Both of which should be time limited due to stress and the fact that any builder who has been around go karts and experimentals knows hardware can fail given enough cycles.

Jonathan

[bpearson]

Jonathan. I've heard this before but it puzzles me. Barring any wear or nicks why would the bolts need to be lifed ? Surely they are massively over speced. If any bolts would wear and need replacing the pitch and roll bolts that are used in standard Benson heads would I suppose. Maybe rough ground handling or blade sail might fatigue them. Curious.

[automan1223]

After the Bill Ortmayer / Ashley Goodeaux accident I spoke with Dennis Dent of Airfasco. They make lots of hardware for aircraft, mil spec stuff and the automotive industry. Dennis told me that EVERY nut and bolt is time limited due to stresses. Hardware in tension even more so than hardware in sheer. Either way I had thought as you do, but bolts are living things and they can and do wear out. I am not saying you have to change every piece of hdw on your machine every so many hours but what could be the harm in replacing the critical stuff ?

If this accident is from an untorqued piece of hardware minus a cotter pin then this is a real damn shame. I have had many a time where I was laying awake at night wondering if I torqued something... but I so careful and patient that is why it takes sooooo long to do something. Check, double and triple check, fly it & check it again....

I knew from my youth / go kart days even grade 8 and 9 hardware will fail given enough punishment......

Jonathan

[Racer]

From what I understand this was a brand new machine, First flight. I would assume it was a new Rotor head with new bolts. I would hope he did not use the rotorhead that was on the gyro that he crashed in th river

[GyroRon]

My rotorheads spindle boat is clearly visable during the preflight. It is a RFD head and uses a nylock nut like Mike said.... It has a strip of that marking goo that shows if the nut turned on the bolt, and I always check that during the preflight inspections.

I would think the bolts in shear would be under enough force to keep everything together even if the nut came off. But the spindle bolt.... well it the nut came off, the rotor and most of the rotorhead would just go sailing off.

Should be pretty easy to look at what it left of the gyro and see what failed.

[Ron E]

Well, as many may remember, the used Utrawhite I acquired was discovered to have a loose spindle bolt before it was flown. I examined it when I got it home and crawled all over it....every nut and bolt was checked.

I put my hand on the pre-rotator ring gear and it moved up and down a lot. It was not supposed to move in that direction at all ! I called RFD and Moses told me not to fly it, and to get the rotor head to the shop for inspection.

I took the whole machine down to Ernie's shop. He told me that it was about to " let go ". I had him replace all bolts on it and the spindle bearings. Apparently the previous pilot of that machine was flying it that way ! Everyone in the shop was upset by that situation and glad that it was caught in time.

The problem was the spindle bolt's nut was not as tight as it should have been, for reasons not known. It was speculated that the previous user had taken it apart and not properly tighten the spindle when it was re-assembled. The old spindle bolt was bent slightly too.

I try to wiggle that ring gear each time I climb aboard that machine, and look at everything closely.

[birdy]

Sh1t Ron, that WAS close!!!

[C. Beaty]

If the spindle bolt was bent, someone along the line had most likely smashed a set of rotor blades on that machine.

Being in the rotor blade business is sort of like being in the tire business; the after market business is better than the OEM business. Someone is always running over a rock and having a blowout.

Whenever a set of blades gets smashed on a machine, the spindle bolt and bearing must be replaced as a matter of course. A bearing race can crack all the way through and not be detectable by look and feel.

[Rando]

There are several "Jesus" bolts on the rotor head, the main teeter bolt and the main Spindle / bearing bolt. Jonathan Ralph Taggart and I were discussing these three "Jesus" bolts over the phone. He made a comment that I will never forget! He said they really should be called the Holy Trinity, a more descriptive term indeed! (if your not Catholic, you may have to look it up on Google)

[Jazzenjohn]

I get 4 bolts. Teeter bolt, pitch pivot bolt, roll pivot bolt, and spindle bolt.

[gyro]

I pull my Rotor Head at the end of every flying season and give it a good going through. I remove the bearing and check it as well. If it even gives me a hint of hesitation when rotating by hand I replace it!

whats a $100 bearing compared to the end result if you secound guess it and it fails.

[C. Beaty]

We tend to overdo things we don’t understand.

The spindle bolt has an ultimate strength in tension of 18,356 lb. according to ANC-5, the bible of AN hardware. That’s through the threads, not the bolt shank. Enough to hold up a fair size bulldozer.

Steel bolts don’t “wear” out from fatigue if cyclic loads are below the endurance limit, ~50,000 psi for AN bolts.

Attached is a strength chart extracted from ANC-5 for common sizes of AN bolts.

[Ron E]

If the spindle bolt was bent, someone along the line had most likely smashed a set of rotor blades on that machine.

Yep, both rotor blades had witness marks where they hit the tail top mounting bolt. The top portion of the tail had been hit hard enough to "flex" it to one side sufficiently to wrinkle the aluminum skin some.

That incident may have been the cause of the bent spindle bolt. Since all bolts (The Holy Trinity plus one more) and critical bearings on the rotor head were replaced, I have full confidence in it. I will install a new RFD rotor head and a new set of blades on my next machine I start building next week. The first Rotor Scooter!

The load of aluminum I ordered was delivered today!!

[GrantR]

Ron did I hear you say the new rotorscooter promotional price ready to fly would be something like $7500? :noidea:
:focus:

[automan1223]

Chuck, that chart is for perfect hardware in perfect installations. RAF put a bolt with no washer under the head in a tension application. When I took apart my rotor hub bar to check the bolts out each radius under the head where the plating had been had evidence of wear. The area under the bolt head was not radiused in the hub bar itself. The cad plating had worn off. The fact that there were only 1 or 2 failures of this kind of thing is a testament to the toughness of AN hardware. Thankfully the aluminum that held the bolt was softer and only left a dull impression. The Ortmayer incident, along with a few other hardware failures, and cable failures that I have experience with tell me you can only trust that chart if you have a perfect installation on a perfect machine.

From a real world stand point it would be great if the PRA had MR Dent come out and talk to builders but I know how this group loves advice so I will not waste the mans time having him try and relate real world failures and cutting edge hardware mfg issues... If it is not the bolts that wear out it is the aluminum that those bolts hold together. My logic tells me the weakest link in any chain is the only one I worry about.

Jonathan


We tend to overdo things we don’t understand.

The spindle bolt has an ultimate strength in tension of 18,356 lb. according to ANC-5, the bible of AN hardware. That’s through the threads, not the bolt shank. Enough to hold up a fair size bulldozer.

Steel bolts don’t “wear” out from fatigue if cyclic loads are below the endurance limit, ~50,000 psi for AN bolts.

Attached is a strength chart extracted from ANC-5 for common sizes of AN bolts.

[Ron E]

Ron did I hear you say the new rotorscooter promotional price ready to fly would be something like $7500? :noidea:
:focus:

GrantR,

You need to have your ears checked.:noidea:

It will be very reasonable though. But, let me get the first one built, flown, tested and re-tested first. Then I will put a special price on the first 10 units or so if all works out as scheduled.

I think it will be very popular once it is seen in public flying around in a "sporty" fashion. It will have some interesting features you won't find on other gyros in its class. I expect exports to be brisk!
:focus:

[C. Beaty]

I don’t possess occult powers so must muddle through, relying on accepted engineering principles.

The attached SN diagram is from “Marks’ Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers.”

The failure rate curve for steel flattens out after, typically, 1,000,000 flexure cycles. Beyond the point where the curve flattens out, the fatigue life is infinite.

There is no level of stress for which aluminum or cast iron has infinite fatigue life. A good reason for not using aluminum or cast iron valve springs.

[Hognose]

I don’t possess occult powers so must muddle through, relying on accepted engineering principles.

I say. How very... primitive. Almost like those tribes of the 19th and 20th centuries, what did Wikipedia call them, Chauncey? Ah yes. Engineers. Quaint name, quaint concept.

That was before we had Oprah to teach us to let our emotions make our decisions. After all, emotions are all natural. Why, chimpanzees and wolves and bandicoots -- whatever a bandicoot is -- have emotions.. So emotions are good.

This "reason" thing is uniquely human, and therefore suspect. If it were any good, wouldn't the whales and dolphins have it, and not us? If we didn't have reason and rationality and these infernal engineers, why, we wouldn't have carbon emissions and global warming. We'd be in the state of nature... noble savages.

cheers

-=K=-

[C. Beaty]

For a person who doesn’t own a TV set, Kevin, you certainly know more about Oprah’s touchy/feely philosophy than I, a TV owner. Psychic, perhaps?

[gyromike]

For a person who doesn’t own a TV set, Kevin, you certainly know more about Oprah’s touchy/feely philosophy than I, a TV owner. Psychic, perhaps?

Maybe he subscribes to "O" magazine. :)

[dragonflyerthom]

Perhaps Kevin has upgraded to XM radio.

[C. Beaty]

I didn’t know Oprah was on radio so perhaps that’s the answer.

I’ve heard it claimed that some people can hear radio signals without a radio; the silver fillings in their teeth acting as rectifying junctions, sort of a built in crystal radio set.

Although that sounds at least plausible for audio, it’s unlikely they could unscramble a sequential line video scan and see an image.

[Jazzenjohn]

<I’ve heard it claimed that some people can hear radio signals without a radio; the silver fillings in their teeth acting as rectifying junctions, sort of a built in crystal radio set.

Although that sounds at least plausible for audio, it’s unlikely they could unscramble a sequential line video scan and see an image.>

Logically and Intellectually it appears you are correct Chuck, that no one would be able to extract video of Oprah through their teeth, however, if you can conceive it, you can believe it, If you can believe it, You Can Do It! and if You Can Do It !, IT MUST BE TRUE !! *










* copyright of Fallaciousslogans.com

[PTKay]

Gentlemen,

it is really pathetic, how you hijacked this tragic thread.

We were expecting some serious information on the cause of the accident
form a forum member, instead we have discussion on Ophra and radio....


Have you ever again looked on the header of this thread ???

:(

[PTKay]

Once we are sure of the cause, we will post the data.

Randy,

please ignore the non-pertinent posts
and keep as informed on your investigation.

[Jazzenjohn]

Your right Paul. The draft of the investigation is done and will be released soon . Ralph is out of town now so there might be a slight delay.

[fiveboy]

xxxx:focus:xxxx

[Arnie Madsen]

As of last night I found a news item that said "The rotor was well built but the fastener was not tightened properly"

[Timchick]

Someone from a watercraft forum posted some videos of Dan on youtube. They saw Dan flying around all the time. Here's a photo someone posted on that forum.

[Fl90]

That's a great photo, thanks for sharing, Tim.

Phil.

[GyroRon]

Someone from a watercraft forum posted some videos of Dan on youtube. They saw Dan flying around all the time. Here's a photo someone posted on that forum.

You know, I hate to be negative, but if that picture was of me.... I'd be getting crap for not wearing a helmet, and not wearing a life jacket.

I'd also probably have a cigarette in my mouth in that pic, so I'd be getting crap for that too.......:D

[Brent_Brown]

You know it

[Ron E]

I'd also probably have a cigarette in my mouth in that pic, so I'd be getting crap for that too.......:D

And, you would probably have a gas can tucked under that free arm as well.:eek:

[Gyro_Kai]

You know, I hate to be negative, but if that picture was of me.... I'd be getting crap for not wearing a helmet, and not wearing a life jacket.



Don't the swimming trunks qualify as life jacket?

[ultracruiser41]

I agree Ron!

I never met the man but I have a few friends that have seen him flying who live in Toledo and they say he was a bit of a "hot dog"!

Makes you wonder. Like I said, I don't know the man so don't shoot the messenger!

[EI-GYRO]

'fraid you're right, Ron.

R.I.P. nonetheless.

[Fl90]

Well, living in FL and flying in the heat, I don't wear much more. I do like my Fish Hedz mask to keep the bees and love bugs out of my face........Yes, it's love bug season again!

Phil.

[Rando]

I received the following email from Dan's sister. She has not been on the Forum but I did forward her copies of some of the posts.

Rando

Thanks for your kind words, my brother was a very kind and open minded man with a heart of gold. He died doing what he loved the most, which was flying, and now he can fly forever and ever. The gyro was his passion though, and thank you to all who was able to let him know, what a great job he did.

Thank You again,

Vicky Chelchowski
(Dans Sister)

[Rotordyne]

All of us here at Rotordyne were saddened to hear about Dan. He was a good friend. Dan had a friendly manner coupled with an unbridled enthusiasm for everything in life. I had spoken with him many times on the phone over the past four years, I first met Dan a couple of summers ago when I stopped by his place while driving across country. Dan took the day off from his busy schedule to show me around his corner of the world. We went through his machine shop piece by piece and looked at all of his equipment. He had built up the business to what it is today through a lot of hard work. He was a very skilled machinist. We then went off to the Marina to watch him fly his Gyro equipped with floats from Lake Erie. Dan was an expert pilot that knew no fear. While we were there we went for a ride in his new pontoon boat (he loved things on pontoons) which was quite speedy, as I recall, for a big boat. Next it was off to his house for something to eat and a look through his barn full of projects. My favorite (since I ride Norton motorcycles) was a helicopter with a 60’s Triumph motor & gearbox on it that was tucked away in a corner for future restoration. I was glad to have spent that day with him because we got to know each other better. I only wish that we lived closer together so that I could have seen him more often. God Speed Danny…………………….JS

[twistair]

pilot that knew no fear

Is it good or bad? Our common words about "what's first in aviation safety" are:
better 100 times coward than 1 time dead.

And - you certainly know: there are no old brave pilots. Only old or brave.

Pilot that knew no fear - good thing only when there is a war or any other disaster. There wasn't a war when he killed himself.

[Fl90]

I normally wouldn't post something like this, but in response:

I have seen many outlive their usefullness and sit in a care facility to wait for death. Some of these people with great acomplishments forgotten. I have seen people stricken with disease and battle for years in pain and agony. An early death is hard on the loved ones, but a quick death is not hard on the deceased. I'm sad for the loss to the loved ones. I enjoy life and do not wish for death, but given a choice, going quick while doing something I love is at the top.

Phil.

[Brent_Brown]

Do we have a report on what happened?

[Rando]

Soon, very soon.

[gyromike]

Randy,

Just a suggestion but when the results of the investigation are ready, start a new thread. Some folks may have stopped checking in on this one due to thread drift.

[Rando]

http://www.pra.org/index.php?module=documents&JAS_DocumentManager_op=downloadFile&JAS_File_id=58

Please post any comments under this thread:

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14391