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Tom Evans
11-28-2004, 06:50 AM
No longer a lurker - but I probably own the record. I was a PRA member back in the 60's. I never lost interest, but career, family and antique trucks took over.
I flew a bit in a private flying club while in the Air Force, also many years ago, but got shipped overseas just prior to scheduling my solo. By coincidence, just last week I flew in a similar Aeronca at a local airport. Also, earlier this year I had a ride with Steve McGowan at Mentone, and this fall with Doug Riley, who by the way is every bit the super individual you know through his clear postings on the forum.
My background is jack of all trades, I had a career with IBM as a machine repairman on all kinds of diverse equipment and also in an engineering department dreaming up all sorts of equipment modifications. I have also been in the excavation business, presently in a downscaled form.
My wife works with me in our present small business, (self storage) son works for a simulator manufacturer (presently working on a helecopter simulator), daughter is a teacher. Neither my wife or I have a college education, but both the kids do.
I am interested in Gyrobee, Dominator and Butterfly and need to make a choice between the three. So you may see some posts relevant to these machines with my name on them. Almost forgot, among my many projects is an airstrip on our son's property, adjacent to ours. Only 800' so far.
I have to say, a number of you blow me away with your knowlege and ability to put it into words.
Hoping to have fun with the rest of you...

Tom Evans

barnstorm2
11-28-2004, 07:14 AM
Welcome Tom!

Bee, Dominator and Butterfly are all great machines, not an easy choice!

ben
11-28-2004, 12:48 PM
tom, welcome we need more gyro pilots here in new york! where is newark valley ny ?

gyromike
11-28-2004, 04:11 PM
Welcome aboard, Tom!

Doug Riley
11-29-2004, 03:06 AM
Hey, Tom, glad to see you made it here. The Forum helps keeps us gyronauts in the Frozen North from losing it over the winter.

GyroRon
11-29-2004, 04:45 AM
The Dominator is going to be the champ at getting out of a short grass strip. I can get out of 300 foot strips okay with mine. Butterfly has no pre rotator so that won't work. Gyrobee would do okay with strong pre rotator and larger engine and optional suspension. Then you got as much money in it as a Dominator! And it won't fly as fast.....

ToddP
11-29-2004, 05:06 AM
Welcome aboard Tom! As you can see, you'll quickly get lots of responses...even to questions you didn't really ask :) . Glad to see you here.

Tom Evans
11-29-2004, 03:27 PM
Thanks everyone! Ben - Newark Valley is in south central NY in Tioga County just above Rt 17 (which you should be familiar with!)