Assoc Press Sparrowhawk/Sport Pilot News Story

[bhalls]

The following Associated Press news story appeared in today's Deseret News, a Salt Lake City newpaper:

Headline: Utah Gyroplane Clears FAA Hurdle

The Federal Aviation Administration has qualified the single-seat SparrowHawk gyroplane made in Utah under a new sport pilot license that will simplify the rules for flying.

The 148-horsepower SparrowHawk is being readied for bigger sales by gyroplane developer Groen Brothers Aviation through dealerships for $30,380 shipped in crates. Groen Bros. makes the kit planes at a Salt Lake factory.

The manufacturer planned to handle its own sales in Utah but turned to a Spanish Fork dealer, AirGyro Aviation, which plans to show off the plane at a demonstration Sept 1, when the FAA makes sport licenses available.

"The new license will lower the barriers to becoming a pilot and an aircraft owner," FAA administrator Marion Blakely said when she announced the change in July.

"We want to make aviation safe and affordable for recreational pilots," Blakely said.

It will take as few as 20 hours of training to legally pilot a SparrowHawk, down from 70 hours of flight time for a regular pilot's license. Anyone with a driver's license could qualify for the sport license without the stringent medical exam required of pilots flying more sophisticated aircraft.

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That's the story, verbatim, including the reference to the "single seat (?) SparrowHawk".

[Brent_Brown]

Maybe they make a single seat to make the gross weight for SP?

[Mayfield]

Guys, I am sorry. The story came out of a press release made by the GBA Utah dealer. It appears that the "media" seldom gets it right. The story should have said:

AirGyro Aviation Welcomes
New FAA Light Sport Pilot Category

Spanish Fork, UT – August 27, 2004: AirGyro Aviation announces the availability of the Groen Brothers Aviation SparrowHawk gyroplane as an aircraft that can meet the eligibility of the new FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Sport Pilot rules which take effect on September 1. Marion Blakely, FAA administrator, has said of this new rule-making package: "It is one of the most important initiatives for general aviation in the last 40 years. The new rule will greatly reduce the barriers to becoming a pilot and an aircraft owner." AirGyro Aviation invites the public to a September 1st demonstration of the SparrowHawk, from 10:00am to Noon at their Spanish Fork Airport Location. AirGyro Aviation is the official Utah dealer for American Autogyro, Inc. (A Groen Brothers Aviation Company), designer and manufacturer of the enclosed, two place, kit built SparrowHawk.

The new Sport Pilot category reduces the training required to become a pilot to as few as 20 hours and makes flying available for many people who could not afford the time or money to put in the average 70 hours of training to obtain a Private Pilot license. The other big advantage is the less restrictive medical requirement. Anyone with a valid driver's license may be able to become a Sport Pilot without having to pass the stringent medical physical exam required for a Private Pilot license. This is great news for thousands of otherwise highly qualified pilots with private and commercial pilot licenses, and even military pilot experience who have been unable to fly due to medical restrictions. The driver's license "physical" of the new Sport Pilot category may allow these pilots to fly Light Sport Aircraft and get back in the air again.

AirGyro Aviation is proud to be the Utah dealer for the Groen Brothers Aviation’s simple and safe SparrowHawk gyroplane. AirGyro is the first and only company in Utah with a gyroplane Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) who can train Sport Pilots in Light Sport Pilot eligible gyroplanes. More information about the new FAA requirements and about SparrowHawk gyroplanes can be found at AirGyro Aviation’s www.lettherebeflight.com and at www.americanautogyro.com. AirGyro Aviation is currently located in Hanger 75 at the Spanish Fork Airport, and anticipates future locations in Salt Lake and Ogden area. Introductory training flights can be arranged by calling 801-380-7028.

[Aussie_Paul]

Good on you Jim. You can't beat the truth and being honest can you?

Keep up the good work.

Aussie Paul.:)

[bhalls]

Thanks, Jim. I suspected as much. In every instance where I have known the true facts of a news story, the media has gotten it wrong. The story raised my eyebrows a bit, tho'.

I've been down to visit the guys at AirGyro, and they are a great team. I'm sure they will represent the SparrowHawk very well. I've been waiting in line to be their customer, and am looking forward to seeing how the EJ25 version performs at our Utah density-altitudes.

Brent Halls
Enterprise, Utah

[Brent_Brown]

Specifications
Fuselage Length: 12 feet Engine: Subaru EJ22; 148 hp
Height: 9.75 feet Fuel: Premium Unleaded
Width: 6.0 feet Fuel Consumption: 6 gph at 80%
Rotor Diameter: 30 feet – 2 blade Fuel Capacity: 23 gal
Dry Weight: 850 lbs. Operating Costs / hr.

Useful Load: 500 lbs. $20 per hour includes fuel, maintenance and overhaul costs.
Gross Weight: 1350 lb

Are you going to change the gross weight to meet the 1320?

I'm not sure how this all will work but I hope it is OK. I would like to get a trainer that will be SLSA that will be good past 2010.

Are you going to set up a BLITZ event? I just got my ASC mag and AAI looks to me to be set up for this type of thing for the sport gyro flyers.

Brent