Status update of American Autogyro?

[GnuPooh]

This article (http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=3368242d-2875-4ca5-92a0-077cb14b1e39) post just a few days ago states:

"The company ceased manufacturing operations one year ago..."

It this true? I know Groen Brothers balance sheet was looking awful so I could see it coming.

The big question is there still gyroplane flight training and examination being offered in Buckeye, AZ? You would think so, perhaps not under the banner of GBA or AA, but with the same pilots. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks!

[Mayfield]

Terry and I still offer practical tests in Arizona. I have a LODA for my AAI modified RAF and Terry is working on a LODA for the GBA trainer.

Jim Mayfield

[GyroDoug]

This article (http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=3368242d-2875-4ca5-92a0-077cb14b1e39)
The big question is there still gyroplane flight training and examination being offered in Buckeye, AZ? You would think so, perhaps not under the banner of GBA or AA, but with the same pilots. Anyone know for sure?
Thanks!

Rick,

GBA pulled their 2 Sparrow Hawks out of AZ. and they are sitting in their facility in SLC, without a current annual and not being used. While GBA is making an effort to support existing builders with any parts needed (as long as it is something they have in stock and on a shelf) they are not actively doing anything with the Sparrow Hawk program other than trying to sell it to anyone interested to raise capitol so they can continue pursuing the Darpa contract and their Heliplane project.

Scott Tinnesand is training in a Turbo Xenon out of Mesa AZ. but once temperatures get above 90 degrees it pretty much puts him out of business. We seem to have quite a few CFI's that can teach you in your Gyro if you own a two seater but the list gets smaller when you need them to provide a Gyro to train in. With the maintenance required to keep a Gyro flying when it is being flown all the time, a training operation really needs to have at least 2 Gyros on hand so there is always at least one in flying condition and not many CFI's have that luxury. Access to training is certainly a challenge for most prospective Gyro pilots but for those that want it bad enough, there is always a way to work it out. Best of luck!!!

Gyro Doug

[Mike Stone]

Jim...
To clarify...
You are still a gyro examiner and give practical tests but no longer instruct...correct?

[GnuPooh]

Thanks to Doug and Jim for the prompt answers. I'm building a single place Dominator and training with Chris Burgess at Frederick, MD. I already have COM-ASEL so I going to just start with Sport Pilot-Gyro. However, I might like to eventually get a COM-Gyro or even a CFI-Gyro rating so I'm going to need a DE if I do that. Of course, as you point out having a CFI-Gyro doesn't do you much good unless you also have a two-place gyro with a LODA, so I'll have to decide about that after I get my gyro flying. It would be nice if the FAA approved a few Light Sport gyros before then so there would be something other than experimental.

Someone indicated that you might need Air and Space 18A time to get a CFI-Gyro. Is there something that says you can't earn a COM or CFI rating in an experiment aircraft? I don't think there is...

[Chuck Roberg]

Someone indicated that you might need Air and Space 18A time to get a CFI-Gyro. Is there something that says you can't earn a COM or CFI rating in an experiment aircraft? I don't think there is...

You do not need time in an Air and Space 18A for either a Commercial or CFI rating. But you will get questions about it on the written and oral exams.

I got my Commercial and CFI Gyroplane rating at Buckeye AZ. I came away with tons of respect for Terry Brandt , Jim Mayfield and Steve McGowan.