Build Your Local PRA Chapter

[PW_Plack]

We tried an experiment last month in Chapter 73. Using the annual membership list in Rotorcraft magazine, we mailed free copies of our chapter's monthly newsletter to about 45 people in Oregon and the Vancouver, WA area who were members of PRA, but not the local chapter. In the newsletter was a brief article inviting recipients of the free copy to visit either Chapter 73 (Scappoose, OR) or Chapter 30 (Seattle, WA area) and involve themselves in some local and regional gyroplane activities this summer.

While the date conflict with EAA-Arlington and iffy weather kept attendance low yesterday at Chapter 73, we did enjoy a first-time visit by gyroplane investigator Grant Smith, of Tigard, OR. Grant is a Private ASEL who's owned a couple of nice airplanes in the past, but hasn't been flying for a few years. Grant's a pretty big guy, and was wondering if an ultralight gyro would work for him, and had many other questions. We volunteered our opinions to answer him the best we could, but more important, we got him an introductory ride with Jim Vanek in the Vortex-II tandem. I'm pretty sure he'll be back!

I'm mentioning this because any frustration with the PRA shouldn't be an excuse to enjoy your local chapter any less. I suspect most local chapters would survive even if the PRA didn't exist, because that's where the action is. (Or, should be.) Take that mailing list in the May issue, and see if you can't recruit some new members in your area!

Here's Grant (front seat) getting ready for his intro flight...

http://www.rotorquest.com/Grant_Before.jpg

[PW_Plack]

...and here's that six-hour smile everyone has after an introductory ride!

http://www.rotorquest.com/Grant_After.jpg

[GyroRon]

I call that a Kool-Aid smile.

[gyroplanes]

I volunteered for this role at Mentone 2004.

My vow is to communicate with the chapters and provide them a voice within the PRA board.

I have several ideas on how we can grow the chapters and in turn, the PRA.

I welcome any and all ideas.

You'll be hearing from me soon.

[gyroplanes]

I don't know how many PRA chapters we have represented here. Perhaps this would make an interesting poll?

I need to establish at least one chapter contact person within each PRA chapter. A contact person should:

Have daily access to a computer and e-mail.
Regularly attend their chapter meetings.
Be willing and able to serve as a line of communication between PRA and their chapter


A chapter contact will be under no obligation to write articles for the magazine.

I understand the chapter contact list currently published in the magazine is so old and outdated as to be useless.

Thanks,

[GeorgeHedinger]

Just a personal note about local chapters from a lurker and gyro wannabe.
When I first started reading Norm's forum and joined the PRA, I tried
contacting the New Jersey PRA chapter.
The first time it took them two weeks to answer my email and they
basicly alluded to the fact that they had no one flying gyros at that
time. When I persisted and tried to find out where and when they
met, they never got back to me and I never heard from them again.
Hmmph. So much for the local chapter.

[Heron]

This is a good move, the chapters are the small cell within the PRA and where the real action is. I enjoyed going to meetings in two of them, the Sunstate and Texas Rotorcraft.
I always advocated the alignment of the chapters with the PRA.
I think this thread will find and implement solutions to have the whole group paddling in the same pace and direction.
Thanks Tom MIlton and all.
Heron

[barnstorm2]

George,

Sorry to hear of the lack of Chapter support.

I have been VERY lucky to have Chapter34 and Chapter 40 in my region. Get a few more gyro heads together and start a new better chapter. If we can help let us know. You could even win money in the PRA Membership Drive! :)

[GeorgeHedinger]

Hi Tim,
Start another chapter??
Tim, I've been following this forum and Norm's before it for quite some time.
So far I know of only ONE gyro in the whole state. That one belongs to
Dave Eisler, a member of this forum. And he is in the process of moving to
New Mexico.
That would leave only three members for my new chapter, Me, Myself, and I.
I fly at Trenton Robbinsville every week (fixed wing) and visit any airport I
happen to be near when I'm driving. So far I've never even SEEN a gyro!
Start a new chapter? To quote the show "Home Improvement",
"I don't think so, Tim!"
Thanks for the thought anyway.
The problem would come when I decided to build one. I have absolutely NO ONE
to go to for mentoring/advice. At this point I'm leaning towards building some
sort of fixed wing since I have several EAA chapters nearby that could guide
me on that.
But doggone it, I'd still like to build a Gyrobee!!!

[barnstorm2]

You can do it George.

Get a digital camera if you don't already have one. When you have a problem just post it.

We'll get you through it.

I have asked COUNTLESS questions on this forum and a few others like the soob forum and the resources are rich.

Support from a local chapter is a fantastic thing to have. However, I have faith that the other internet 'bee builders will have all the answers for you.

[Rotornut]

Tom, Sunstate Rotor Club contact person is MaryJane Oxnam/Secretary,Treasure of Sunstate Rotor Club PRA Ch# 26
EMAIL/ Rotornut007@yahoo.com
21971 N River Road
Alva, FL 33920
239-728-3774
Catfish mobil 239-633-0156

[gyroplanes]

information duly noted.

[Rotornut]

Thanks Tom, Glad to have someone to excite the Clubs. PRA Ch# 26 is strong and everyday getting more active members. We look forward to hearing from you. MJ :)

[gyroplanes]

I have several ideas, but I'd like to hear your's !

Let's talk about what HQ can do for you. I'm all ears. :rolleyes:

Right now money is tight so don't ask for financial support at this time.

[Friendly]

Tom- the membership magazine is helpful. I found a gyro near me in the PRA but not a member of our club. This person attended our flyin at Bastrop and talked with many members. I asked him why he was not a member of the local and he said he meant to join he just has not done so. He said he would soon. He thanked me for visting him in the rain and on a bad weather night. Hopefully he will be at Oakdale although I can't be there due to training confict. I encouraged him to do so. I also met another member who purchased his gyrobee parts but has not put it together yet. I offered him use of my shop and a key as soon as it is finished. And I met another right here on the forum. I believe the interest created by this forum had done much to increase the desire to belong to the PRA and local chapters. I was happy to become a Gold Sponcer to the forum. It has brought all of us together in our own living rooms and I think for the most part we do not bash each other. One of the most effective things we can do on the forum is to guard our words to express the ideals and not negative emotions to the people of the greatest sport flying the little man can still afford.

[Rotornut]

Tom, Money is always tight. More communication from PRA HQ like a semi annual memo of any actions taken or any actions being considered. To lay it all out, when I went up to Mentone and into the office trailer I did not feel overall Welcomed to look around, and did not feel like it was mine or ours.

More Openness and Communication. Gary has always gone out of his way if we asked him anything or needed anything while we stayed in Mentone, as was Sue. Dave Prater was always willing to answer or help if we asked. Dave Prater has answered and fielded many of my questions about PRA and other things. Never did he say I dont know or I am not sure, it was always a answer one way or the other.

PRA needs work Yes but we need to work with PRA not against it, in order to keep it Alive. MJ :)

[Victor Duarte]

Hi gents,
just a sudden thaught ..the tiltle of the thread is "Build Your Local PRA Chapter".

there are some in europe, is there a kind of "Franchise" ? or a starter kit ?

i know in my homeland airport, someone is going to start a gyro,this person is a retired CONCORD pilot, no bad uh ?
I plan to start building mine this year, and as i feel it, some other persons could join..

thanks for the answer.

[gyroman]

I second MJ's comment. I think the PRA should be more open with communication amongst the members. Periodic newsletters, emails or anything that would keep people interested. Heck even a thread here with actual postings from the PRA would help. I know PAM is a member here. It costs nothing just to say a few things every month about anything that's going on... Maybe they don't want to be "officially" associated with this site so maybe when Brian gets the PRA site updated we can have some news being published.

[gyroplanes]

Our chapter (PRA18) had it's January meeting last Friday. Pres. Adam Helwich and VP Tom Milton thought the teardown of Adam's Honeybee gyro engine would be a topic of interest to most attendees. It was.

We meet in a "township Hall" meeting room (free) and it is a centrally located facility with almost every amenity we could wish for. We average 13 - 15 members per meeting.

An important part of a demonstration like this is planning. We went over and over a list of tools we thought we'd need so we wouldn't get part way into the project and have to stop.

Murphy reared his ugly head and we came to a halt when we couldn't find a tool to remove the piston pin. Former club president, Joe Mahr, overheard this and offered the use of his "universal pocket tool" Joe claimed it has never failed to solve a problem for him in his day job as a private detective.

Photo one: (L to R) Rich Vitt, Mark Malek, Adam Helwich, John Deagan, Chuck Roberg, Dick Wunderlich and Larry Schoenenberger gather around the project as Adam prepares to dismantle the 447.

Photo two: Adam gives up and Larry takes a crack at the piston pin retaining rings.

Photo three:
We also failed to bring along eye protection. As seen in the last photo, Adam wisely shields his eyes as Joe prepares to remove the pesky snap rings.

No one was injured in the making of this meeting.

[Lotchik]

I would Love to talk to someone about what it takes to start a local chapter. I recently moved and now live on the western side of WI (near LaCrosse) and as I build my first gyro have been looking for knowledgable help. I took a look at the May 2004 list of members (thanks to Pam Bundy) and found a dozen or more PRA members who live less than an hour from me. I just sent out a letter to them all and have heard back from two that would be willing to look into starting a chapter. I am excited since I have never lived near enough to be a local member before.
It doesn't sound real difficult and even have a couple of small airports to choose from that should support us well.

Pointers always welcome. thanks.

[Chuck Roberg]

Ken, Tom Milton is the chapter coordinator closest to you (Chicago area). Send him an email @ gyroplanes@aol.com and ask what you need to start a chapter. Tom should have all the information.

Tom is on the forum here, but with his work schedule he doesn't check here very often.

I bought an Avid flyer from a fella at the LaCrosse airport several years ago. Then I got interested in gyros. Sold the Avid flyer and bought a gyro.

[Lotchik]

Thanks Chuck. I will contact Tom soon.

Anyone in WI that Doesn't want to drive down to IL will hopefully have an alternative soon. Let's talk!

[gyroplanes]

I received an e-mail from an Northern Illinois EAA chapter president who wanted to know if I would come to their meeting and speak about gyroplanes.

I corraled Chuck Roberg into going along. Chuck downloaded Tim O's Powerpoint presentation and also brought along a CD-rom of Dan Donley's intro to gyros video. They were VERY helpful, thanks Chuck!

The only clock in the room was busted and the crowd had lots of questions, according to Chuck I overran my 45 minutes.

I went with the idea of correcting mis-information and not to be an overzealous evangelist of whirling wings. Coming on like a salesman or telling fixed wing folks how much better your gyro is than what they fly is a quick way to close their minds.

We were invited to come back and bring our gyros to their pancake breakfast on Father's day.

The attached picture was taken during the break. It was a SRO crowd. Rumor has it they all came out to meet Chuck.

[gyroplanes]

PRA Chapter 18 Chicago and the Flying 80s (PRA 80) from Knox, IN. put on a static display at the Balmoral Racetrack (horses) during an off-season gun & sportsman show. We had a Gyrobee, built by Chapter 18 pres. Adam Helwich and Sec. Nick costa. A RAF 2000 built by Bob McGuire, Joe Mahr Pres. of Chapter 80, had his VV powered Bensen there and two of the three Little Wing frames being built in the Michigan City area by Dick Lidtke, Jim McNeilly and Bob Randall.

I have posted some pictures below, they were taken in the parking lot and hangar area because they had a "no camera" policy at the show (reasons given were numerous and bizarre)

They had a poor turnout due to a larger show 30 miles away. We had a good time anyway.

Our chapter meeting was last friday night, we signed up three new members, one of them, Matt Novotney, is a regular now here on the forum. He bought a gyrobee frame recently (pictured below in the hangar).

Get out and do something with your chapter!

[gyroplanes]

Here are the last two pictures.

I wish I could have taken pictures inside, I would have several of Jim McNeilly talking, smiling and generally being nice to the owner of an RAF WITHOUT A STABILIZER. The RAF had one on but removed it per his instructor's request (just for training).

I did notice Jim's hands were all calloused and twisted from typing. :rolleyes:

The RAF left before I got my camera out. I have pictures that I took of it when I did his Airworthiness Certification last year, I'll try to dig them out.

It has the most incredible paint job, especially if you are a Star Trek fan.

[gyroplanes]

Here are the pictures of the Star Trek RAF as promised. It has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

[MikeBoyette]

Tom,
Dang that "Starship Enterprise" is double protected. It has a Horizontal Stab, and one of Mr. Hunn's "Stabilator" thing. Should be exceptionaly stable. :D

[enewbold]

I joined the PRA today via online registration and payment. I presume they'll send me some documentation (membership card/papers, etc.) and start my subscription. My questions include:

A. Where's the closest local Chapter to me? I live in Columbus, OH.
B. I'd sure like to get my hands on a few back issues of the magazine (the 2005 issues). Do they sell spare copies?
C. I'd like to get some hands-on flying in a dual machine until I get one built. Any recommendations about where?

Thanks in advance.
Ed Newbold

[Heron]

Try Mentone and Oshkosh in July!
A Golden Butterfly duo (intructor/machine) could be in the works for that Area.
Come to Texas!
Heron

[barnstorm2]

A. Where's the closest local Chapter to me? I live in Columbus, OH.
B. I'd sure like to get my hands on a few back issues of the magazine (the 2005 issues). Do they sell spare copies?
C. I'd like to get some hands-on flying in a dual machine until I get one built. Any recommendations about where?


A. Humm. Probably, Chapter 40, Cincinnati. We meet just east of Cincinnati.
Also, consider; Chapter 34 is in Southern Indiana, have a trainer and are very active. They have a club hangar and they all pitched in with tools help and advise with the building of my 2-place gyro. I doubt if I could have done it with out them.

B. Yes they sell back issues and boxes of back issues. Good reading.

C. Heron got it spot-on. Mentone Indiana at the PRA Convention. Also, as I mentioned in your welcome mat thread, Gary Goldsberry near Indy is one of the very best trainers. I can give you a very basic ride, I live in Cincinnati, Ohio.

[enewbold]

THanks guys. If you're available one of these weekends I'd love to drive to to Cincy and visit you.

Let me know.

Cheers,
Ed Newbold
Columbus

[barnstorm2]

Not this weekend but next weekend July 2 and 3 I will be flying my gyro Satuday Morning and Sunday Morning weather permitting. You or anyone else are welcome to come by and I will take you up for at least a half hour.

I am NOT a trainer but I can give you a ride. If you feel comfortable after a round in the pattern I will let you get a feel for the controls in a strait and level flight.

I can be emailed at: gyro@oldmotorcycle.com

A trainer like Gary and those at Mentone can give much better intro rides because they are high time pilots and trainers. I am just a common pivate pilot with going on 200 hours.

[Rotornut]

Tim, Thanks for Rolling out the Welcome Mat for Ed. Ed you cant go wrong with Tims suggestions. Make the Fly-In at Mentone Indiana in July 20-24, 2005. You wont regret seeing all the different Vendors and Machines. And getting a flight with a CFI there, and setting up a follow-up plan for Training.

MJ :)