Ed Keil - Kinderhook, NY

[AirHorse1]

Well, I'm sorta new to gyros. I've known about them for awhile but never really looked into them until recently. I love to fly and always wanted to learn how to fly my own. Well, when I got my new job as a Technician in the new IBM 300mm Chip Fab, I met a guy that became a fellow flight enthusiast. He reintroduced me to gyros and we researched and talked of flying them for awhile. I never dreamed I 'd be able to afford to fly, cuz its expensive to own and maintain an airplane or helicopter, until I realized that I could afford to own and fly my own gyro. I ended up getting a great deal, this past May, on a used, updated 98 RAF 2000 w/ 125 hours on it. :D Now I'm looking forward to getting my Private Pilot License this Spring/Summer. Its just a matter of coming up with the finances, so I can do it on a consistent basis until complete. Once I commit. I aint stoppin' til I've got my skills and legals. And then its a whole new world!! :p Problem is, I need to know a few things about the annuals and the new Sport Pilot rule. Since I didnt build it originally, I cant do the annual and most A&P's around here dont know much about them and prob will be hesitant to sign me off. I read that the new Sport Pilot rule allows you to take a 16 hour course on your type of craft which certs you do your own annuals. Is this true? If so, do you have any info as to where I might be able to do this? I will be running it by my instructor but I know some of you here can tell me. I have learned so much about gyros from reading this board for the past 4-5 months. Its a great resource for info! I look forward to conversing with you all!! :)

[ben]

ed,
welcome glad to see another new yorker here

[GyroRon]

Your RAF is most likely not a light sport aircraft. In other words the gross weight rating is probably listed higher than the allowed limit. You need to check that first!!! Because if it is listed high, than you will need a Private Pilot certificate to fly it and a A&P or A&PIA will have to do the condtion inspections.

But otherwise welcome to the forum!

[Frank Zarzycki]

Hi Ed
just wanted to let you know that I am just across the river form you. I am an A&P and work for a major airline. I have scratched built and fly a Bensen and presently working on a Dominator. If you need a conditional inspection let me know when ever your ready.

Frank Zarzycki

[AirHorse1]

Well, that sounds excellent!! I will definately take you up on your offer. My gyro is over due as of this past November. But seeing as I cant fly it yet, I suppose I wont need the annual right away. I'd still like to meet you and check out your gyros, if you are up for it.

[StanFoster]

Ed: Welcome here on the forum. Hope to hear many reports and flying pictures from your RAF down the road. Gyros are awesome.

Stan

[AirHorse1]

Stan,
I intend to take alot of photos as photography has been a side hobby of mine. I've really enjoyed the photos you've posted so far. Keep them coming. I've read alot of your posts and cant wait to get started. My gyro doesnt presently have a stab but it will before I fly it. I guess the trouble is that now, there are few people producing them. I've read other websites of fellow RAF pilots making their own. I think I think I may have to also.

[darrellwittke]

said you could buy one from Air Command. About $800 bucks if I remember right. It's on another thread or you can call them.

Welcome to the world of gyro's. darrellwittke

[Friendly]

Welcome to the forum.
If you are looking for a stab, I have Larry Martins molds. I donated them to our club. Ido not have fiberglass experience but we could ask around and see what a stab would cost. We are not interested in making money on the stab. Only promoting the safty of gyros and making sure those who have an Ultra Stab can get a replacement if necessary or like yourself making sure someone can put a stab on an RAF. I belong to Chapter 20. I also suggest you check out the manufactors. We need them to stay in business.

[AirHorse1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will continue to research this topic. I think its best that I do buy from a manufacturer to continue their support, but I may talk to you about the Larry Martin mold should I decide to give that a try.

[Hermie-Joe]

:) Hi Ed,

I am flying out of South Albany Airport. Maybe we can get together and do a little flying this summer.

Herm

[AirHorse1]

Herm, That would be great! I'd love to. You must live fairly close to me, as I'm less than 30 min for ALB.

[Hermie-Joe]

Ed,

I am about a half hour drive away from Kinderhook. I have family and friends living in Kinderhook near the lake, so I have made the trip often. I have been known to make an "approach" for a "stimulated emergency landing" right over a few pieces of real estate on the lake. I am in Feura Bush about two miles from South Albany Airport.

We can fix you up with some FW lessons for a lot less than those guys that are closer to and south of you. :)

Herm

[ben]

hermie- joe, air horse1 and frank zarzycki and myself all live about an hour apart we get a few more gyro pilots maybe from ny or northern jersey and we got us a pra chapter!!

[Hermie-Joe]

Ben, I tried in the past. While I met some nice people there were very few real fliers. Frank is one of the ones that can fly and has been at it for years. We flew our Bensen types at the now defunct Athens Airport. You need a minimum quorum to qualify for a PRA chapter, I forgot what that number is. In any case we could all get together and get something going even if it's not an official chapter.

I have over the years kept and added to a list of interested (by PRA mambership)people within driving distance of our area on a windows *.crd file. I can share these with you if you like. I have invited most of them at one time or another to get invloved and the response was very spotty. A core of active fliers getting together on a regular basis would probably be a good start. However, I, like Craig Wall and others, feel that gyro flying is best not actively promoted as some sort of family sport, but supported as a legitimate aspect of general aviation.

Herm