Manufacturers List [Archive] - Rotary Wing Forum

ToddP

11-04-2003, 06:31 AM

Craig Jackson inquired about creating a group for the Sycamore Gyroplane. *I didn't reply immediately, because I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle the list of manufacturers. I've read quite a bit about creating a successful forum recently and one of the key ingredients is not diluting your membership by creating countless categories or groups. *You'll notice where Norm had 9 categories for training and currently there are 24 threads. *I only created one group for training in hopes that all training discussion might be isolated to that one group, and possibly become more active. So what about the manufacturers. *Well everybody wants their own group. *But quite frankly, everybody is a very long list. *Personally I want to limit the manufacturers list to 10 including 1 group for helicopters, so only 9 groups for gyros. *I would appreciate any input on this: Currently I see: 1. Helicopters 2. Gyrobee or related including Honeybee, Hornet etc. 3. Air Command - Popular Brand 4. Dominator - Popular Brand 5. 2 Place Enclosed - RAF, Sparrowhawk, Firebird 6. Bensen - Original Bensen and descendents KB2, KB3 7. Concepts - Hawk IV, Carter Copter 8. Single Place Designs - Sportcopter, Butterfly, Falcon, Bandit * 9. Two Place Designs - *Sycamore, Magni, Sportcopter 10. Tractors - Little Wing, Pit Bull I'm making this preliminary list based upon the forum activity at the Rotorcraft Conference. *I certainly welcome any input. * I don't want to anger anyone, just understand I'm trying to make this forum as user friendly as possible and generate the most interest as I possibly can. I love the old saying: You can make all the people happy some of the time. You can make some of the people happy all of the time. You will NEVER make all the people happy all of the time. Todd

rehler

11-04-2003, 07:05 AM

I like you idea. I think Bensen is a single place gyro like all the others - not needing to be listed separately. I would drop Gyrobee and add "Ultralight Gyros"

GyroRon

11-04-2003, 08:49 AM

I think you ought to keep Gyrobee as it is as that is a popular gyro and since it is plans built there is always lot's of gyrobee posts as builders have questions. I like it as it is now, but would add a section for one offs like Ken R's machine or the Gyrhino or so on. And as far as I am concerned the Cartercopter could go in that section.

gyroblackwell

11-05-2003, 02:51 AM

The catagory list you came up with looks good to me. The gyrobee list name could include ultralights, scratch built!? thats the only change I would add. Tim

skyflea73

11-05-2003, 06:25 AM

How about placing the Magni Gyro on the manufacturers list? Thanks

ToddP

11-05-2003, 02:25 PM

Well, for better or for worse I made changes to the manufacturers list.  I hope everyone is pretty well covered.  If there are any machines that aren't mentioned, or don't fit, please let me know and I'll get them covered. I'm sure someone will ask, why do Air Command, Dominator, Bensen & Gyrobee merit their own categories.   Well, the best answer I can give is this, I've been to Bensen Days & Rotors over Carolina this past year and 80% of the gyros there would have fit in those 4 categories.   I hope the new categories don't get anyone angry.  My hope was to consolidate some and perhaps increase the number of posts in each forum rather than have categories that were nearly empty.   The suggestion box is still open.  :) Todd

Aussie_Paul

11-05-2003, 07:52 PM

Todd, I think that you have done great with the list. Aussie Paul.

Fiesty

11-06-2003, 10:46 PM

Where are the helicopters?  We have several manufactures.  

ToddP

11-07-2003, 01:15 AM

Randy, There is a helicopter category.  However no one has posted anything yet.  Get it started!  ;) Todd