2011 PRA Convention @ Mentone Appears to be forming a NEXIS,will you be a part of it?

[barnstorm2]

Predictions are starting to come in about this years PRA Convention @ Mentone (sorry to be stepping on AutoM turf...)

:D The PPC guys LOVED the event and facilites last year and are telling us to expect DOUBLE the number of PPC related attendees.

:D The increase in attendees thanks to the PPC add-in made the vendors very happy so we ALREADY have more vendors signed up.

The mix with the PPC people is AMAZING as they are the perfect COMPLEMENT to a gyro convention. They fly when we tend not to and we fly when they do not. There is a natural cross-pollination as they use much of the same technology and parts (vendors) as we do and there is a great deal of cross over in the pilot populations.

:D We have rotorcraft manufacturers that have not been to Mentone before registered.

:D We have an Radio Control R/C club holding a convention the day ours end so we are expecting some good cross-over.

:D We are putting new advertising in place for an increase in GA pilot and general public attendance.

:D The fireworks club is returning

:D Two MAJOR aviation media outlets are sending EDITORS to observe the event! This MAY mean more significant positive media coverage then has ever happened in living memory.

:D The gyro revolution in Europe is now starting to get noticed here in the US.


What does this all mean?

Since I became a PRA member a decade ago, and a member of this sport everyone has be complaining about how gyros are the "Rodney Dangerfield" of aviation. No news, no media coverage (except negative) no interest from other pilot populations etc, etc...

Well NOW is our chance to crest and turn the wave!!

It is critical that every possible gyro, fan, student, enthusist, pilot, owner and builder attend the Mentone Convention so that we have enough of a ratio to turn the tide and start to make the big difference we have been all waiting years for.

Everyone can make a difference by attending this years convention.

Make your plans to attend the PRA Convention NOW.

Link to Registration:

http://www.pra.org/conventionreg.aspx?i=28


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[GyroDoug]

Tim,

I will be there!!! I would't miss it for the world. It really is like the Superbowl of the Gyro world, except without all the exhorbatent costs. There really is more Rotocraft bang for your buck at this event than any other event in the world. It will mean traveling a couple thousand miles for me but it's well worth it. See you there!

[StanFoster]

Tim- Your post is like a pep rally. This Mentone will be a tur around and I am looking forward to a bigger and better event. I also am looking forward to again come in by air the 121 mile flight. 2007 was the last year i have flown to Mentone. I plan on flying with you guys for breakfast again. I like your " cross pollination" phrase! I may have to borrow that sometime. Stan

[Ghetto Wash]

The PPC guys LOVED the event and facilites last year and are telling us to expect DOUBLE the number of PPC related attendees.

I'm a PPC guy and I'll tell you that the buzz in the PPC world is that Mentone is one of the big events to go to this year. I didn't even know it was really a gyro event until I started following this forum. I had plans on attending, but family crisis is going to get in the way this flying season (Mother-in-law just diagnosed with terminal cancer and a kid with a broken jaw with surgery and related rehab around the corner). Next year will be my year for Mentone. Maybe I'll be a little more serious about this idea of me and gyros by then.

Hope it goes as well as you are expecting and everyone has a good time.

[StanFoster]

Ghetto- Sorry to hear of your family issues, but of course they come first. Next year will be our 50th and I am sure it will be ewven bgger. Stan

[Dmorris]

Tim- Your post is like a pep rally. This Mentone will be a tur around and I am looking forward to a bigger and better event. I also am looking forward to again come in by air the 121 mile flight. 2007 was the last year i have flown to Mentone. I plan on flying with you guys for breakfast again. I like your " cross pollination" phrase! I may have to borrow that sometime. Stan

Stan,

Will be good to have you along for the breakfast flights. All we ask is for you to do run on landings so you don't stand out.

[StanFoster]

David- I had one runon landing so far, and it was a 200 foot one. I have used up my quota! I am used to being different. Ha. Stan

[Dmorris]

Ghetto,

Although I don't know you I'm truly sorry to hear about your family health problems. Life can turn on a dime. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. This I promise..

[barnstorm2]

Ghetto, sorry to hear about your family.

Yeah, we gyro people don't know how good we have it!

Stan,

That is great news!

I hope to get some air to air shots on the way to breakfast!

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[Vance]

Is a nexis different than a nexus?

I look forward to Mentone and it is hard to imagine what could get better.

I learn so much each year.

I find such joy in the camaraderie and acceptance after spending most of the year as a bastard child endeavoring to prove the worth of a gyroplane to the nonbelievers.

Timing is always a challenge and it is never easy to stop life for two weeks. It is a long drive for me.

I look forward to one day flying Mariah Gale to Mentone as a sort of special gratification and homecoming.

Thank you, Vance

[barnstorm2]

Is a nexis different than a nexus?

I look forward to Mentone and it is hard to imagine what could get better.

I learn so much each year.

I find such joy in the camaraderie and acceptance after spending most of the year as a bastard child endeavoring to prove the worth of a gyroplane to the nonbelievers.

Timing is always a challenge and it is never easy to stop life for two weeks. It is a long drive for me.

I look forward to one day flying Mariah Gale to Mentone as a sort of special gratification and homecoming.

Thank you, Vance

Easy! The difference is that one is spelled right! :boink: :party:

That would be a great trip! Maybe when it happens I can meet you part of the way out and get some footage!

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[Chuck Roberg]

Just booked my room at the Super 8 in Rochester. The person I was speaking with commented how they get booked up during our convention. They still have rooms left but I would not wait too long if you want a room.

The Super 8 and Comfort Inn are owned by the same people. The Comfort Inn prices seem to be a little more but I hear the breakfast is a little better than the Super 8. I never stayed at the Comfort Inn so I can't comment on that.

Be sure to mention your there for the PRA convention. You'll get a 5% discount off your room.

It's always nice to sit down for breakfast at the motel and meet and talk with fellow Gyro people. I hope to meet many more people at the convention. I know a lot of you from the forum but have never met in person.

[StanFoster]

Chuck- Thanks for jogging my memory. I went and booked for the Super 8 for four nights.


Stan

[barnstorm2]

Here is the lodging page: http://www.pra.org/default.aspx?p=MentoneLodging&i=33

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[Ghetto Wash]

The following is copied from the PPC Yahoo List:

Below is the original invite from the Popular Rotorcraft Association. Now Powrachute has crashed it for their extravaganza. Powrachute is now saying who can and can't exhibit or sale and charging just to get in. It went from a fun get together with ppc's and rotorcrafts to a money making event. If it's like the last Extravaganza in Oklahoma then all pilots will have to show their registration and sport pilot license. Also the FAA will be invited and ramp check all. Like they did at the last extravaganza. I could not blame a lot of the PRA guys for not showing up for their own event.

---2010 was our 1st year to have PPC's to our rotocraft event and it went over GREAT. Gyro and PPC pilots alike all loved interacting and flying with each other. This will become an annual event for PPC's. I want to invite all PPC pilots to attend the PRA Annual Convention this year in Mentone, IN Aug 2-6, 2011 for a fantastic week of flying�---

http://www.pra.org/default.aspx?p=PRAConventionInfoPage&i=38

Some PPC people are upset that only Powrachute is invited and is prohibiting other PPC manufacturers and parts suppliers from setting up and showing their machines and supplies. Can they do this? Are they helping ($$$) with the event? Is there a fee to attend? Can competitors show their PPC's? Will there be ramp checks?

I'm a PPC guy and although not attending this year, I will pass on any info I get to the PPC community.

[barnstorm2]

Ghetto,

1. As long as I have been attending the PRA conventions only legal pilots have been allowed to fly. I certainly hope that continues for the obvious safety of everyone involved. Ultralight pilots are also welcome to fly so long as they are profecient, and fly apparently UL aircraft, see the PRA web page for details. The PRA does no ramp checks and does not encourage, nor discourage any FAA participation. The PPC convention managers should be doing the same.

http://www.pra.org/default.aspx?p=PRAConventionInfoPage&i=38

Why would you think requiring pilots to have a license to fly a non ultralight aircraft would keep pilots away? This has been the convention policy since before I was even involved in the sport. I certainly would not want to be flying my aircraft at a busy convention with untrained, illegal pilots jeperdizeing me, my machine, my friends and this important event.

2. This event is 2 (almost 3) conventions at the same airport. The PPC people manage their own portion of the convention, the PRA the rotorcraft and then the R/C club will start their convention as the first two wrap up. Since the PPC portion is run, funded and sponsored by a PPC manufacturer, as they have always been, they may have some restrictions on the vendor types on their side of the airport but the PRA convention has no such restrictions and it certainly does not apply to any PRA convention vendors and would not affect rotorcraft events, sponsors, pilots or attendees nor the r/c rotorcraft convention event.

The rant you copied into your post sounds like a disgruntled PPC pilot trying to Troll IMHO.

[PRA]

I have been given a link from the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce for cabins on area lakes for rent by the week. Something to think about if you are trying to get the whole family to come.
http://www.rsvacations.com/rentals/USA/INDIANA/

[Sheldon]

I belong to both groups the PRA and the HPAA who is putting on the fireworks show, all I can say is get a good seat Friday night and be ready for us to light up the sky!:peace:

[NoWingsAttached]

I just committed to 3 nights camping out, banquet dinner. Stag. Blue Bee in tow.

Yeah, c'mon.



Sheldon,

I have to go to my aunt's memorial service up in Port Huron, 8/13. i have half a mind to trailer the Bee up to mich from Mentone! I've never seen my home grounds from gyro air b4. What's happening up your way after PRA week?

[Brent Drake]

I just registered for the convention

[Oky777]

Im coming down too.I won't be bringing my gryo but will be training with Steve McGowan. Looking forward to this.

[NoWingsAttached]

I have been given a link from the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce for cabins on area lakes for rent by the week. Something to think about if you are trying to get the whole family to come.
http://www.rsvacations.com/rentals/USA/INDIANA/

I get this when I click the link, I will try to shorten it and see if I can get to the root sight.

"Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /rentals/USA/INDIANA/ on this server.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request."