Do Sparrowhawks still breed?

[Gyro_Kai]

Hello,

There have been many discussions about the future of the Sparrowhawk due to the "re-trenchment" as they call it on the Groen Website. What is the story now, are they still selling kits and/or giving support?

Kai.

[GyroDoug]

My understanding is they did not have the money to keep the operation running so they have all but shut down and are running a skeleton crew while the continue to try to keep the company alive and pursuing it's goals. The emphasis is on the Darpa contract and funding their Gyrodyne development. They are trying to sell off the "American Auto Gyro" division to raise cash to pursue their bigger project but there is not a lot of cash available right now or investors anxious to take on a high risk project in a slowing economy. We can always hope that something will happen, but I wouldn't be holding my breath for anything in the near future.

They will be glad to sell you any parts they have on hand but they are not currently producing any new parts nor do they plan to until the ownership changes. There are still a few people around and some support is available but it is very limited. Times are tough right now in general and even tougher if you were building a Sparrow Hawk. Let's hope they are able to negotiate a deal for the company and it's gets a new infusion of cash and someone willing to make the Sparrow Hawk their No. 1 priority. There is no reason it can't continue to be the most popular cabin class being built today. (But it does have some competition and with them being on a back burner for now, the competition is going to start closing the gap. It should be interesting.
Gyro Doug

[All_In]

Kai good question.
It's a shame.
Doug your back, hope you had a great trip to Cabo?

PS
Doug,
Want your advice on gyros, remember.