SparrowHawk Added to Gyro School in Seattle

[r.coplen]

SparrowHawk N17SH (Mariah) has been added to the gyroplane flight school in Seattle. CFI David Overman is instructing the first SparrowHawk student, David Creech. David Creech is from Tennessee and is staying with me untill he is proficient as pilot in command. He will be the CFI for AAI Gyroplanes of Tennessee. GBA Gyroplanes of Seattle has two other students working on there gyroplane certificate. It is a great pleasure to offer a brand new SparrowHawk as a training gyro.

Our flight school is support by CFI Scott Tinnesand (Cheif Pilot), CFI David Overman, and A&P Gordon Kalanquin.

[Ron Marlett]

Thats Great Randy! I have been wondering when she would be ready so I could try out a Sparrowhawk:)

Ron

[Brian Jackson]

I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of SparrowHawk owners/pilots during Mentone '04. Like many, I made the mistake of assuming it was a modified RAF with a tall tail. Shame on me. I quickly learned it was a "from the ground up" ship whose pod has a striking similarity, but that's about it. From studying the photos even the landing gear structure is a radical departure from RAF.

Since laymen like myself are apt to confuse the two, is there a site or document somewhere that lists the distinctions between these crafts beyond the obvious CLT, Tail, wider cabin, etc. Thanks.

Respectfully,
Brian Jackson

[Red Sky]

I've very new to gyros so I'm sure this is a basic question. If the Sparrowhawk is carrying a N number, does that mean it can be insured and used as a commercial vehicle for profit?

[r.coplen]

Red Sky,

The N number is signifies that the aircraft is registered in the U.S. The SparrowHawk gyroplane can be insured. The SparrowHawk is an expermintal aircraft and can not be used for most commercial applications. It can be used as a trainer on an hourly bases for pay. There are some areas under the public use law when it could be used by a public intity under certain conditions. Example would be as a survailance aircraft for a law enforcement agency. The aircraft would be restricted to only that use and the contract would have ot be for 90 days or more.