message from raven redrives

[gyroblackwell]

This came across the GEO Group on yahoo.

interesting mention of a new tractor gyro:

Raven Redrives Announces addition of Airport Based R & D facility!

Wanted to let you guys on the Fly Geo® list in on the good news of our
expansion ahead of our planned public announcements at Sun 'n Fun next
month. We have been very busy over the past 2 years expanding and setting
up an aircraft 'skunk-works' for the final development/testing of our
rotorcraft and new kit-plane design based on our Geo®/Suzuki® engine
packages. Our additional facility is located 250 miles south of Denver on
the airport in beautiful Taos, New Mexico(1 hour north of Santa Fe) and is
3 times the size of our earlier R & D area. Sales of our Reduction Drive
Kits, Instruction Manuals, and Geo® performance accessories will remain
based out of our Colorado location. Our main phone line at 303-440-6234 in
Colorado as well as our Web Site and Email address will remain unchanged.

I will be spending most of my time thru Oshkosh this year at the new
facility working to complete the final phase of our initial vision of a
true cross-country performance rotorcraft/airplane designed specifically
around and tailored to optimize these great Geo® engines. We are just
finishing the final touches on our latest drive kit for these aircraft
which will also be offered as an inexpensive replacement for the Rotax®912.
Same weight with turbo/ built in inflight prop control /tall offset drive
suitable for tractor or pusher aircraft/and more. Please look to our
website at www.raven-rotor.com in a month for updates and particulars.

I have been less available over the past two years while traveling back and
forth and trying to keep up with production and our expansion at the same
time. We are a small company with limited rescources and I have missed a
few emails and requests for information during that time and extend my
sincere apologies to anyone affected. I am available at my personal phone
# at our new R & D facility at 505-737-9656 Monday- Saturday when I'm not
at our Colorado facility(main phone message will advise when I'm up in
Colorado).

Will be giving free educational forums Thursday April 14th- Sunday April
17th at Sun 'n Fun 2005 sharing what I've learned in ten years of working
with these well-made Geo® engines. Will do a separate announcement of
times and location or visit our website for particulars.

[skyguynca]

yep, I have talked with him and as you know set up one of his systems. I was less than happy with it and will use the SPG gearbox next time. I have had several conversations with him about his Tractor project, composite fuselage, bolt and screw together as he put it. Sounded nice but expensive.

[Brent_Brown]

OK what happened to this NEW gyro.

[skyguynca]

Same thing that happened on his last one, nothing

[Udi]

Interesting design.
http://www.raven-rotor.com/html/rotocraft.html

[skyguynca]

That was their first design. The last time I talked with Jeron at Raven he was telling me they had a enclosed design assembled from preform/premade composite sandwich panels, just simple tools needed for assembly. That has been some time ago and yet nothing has come of it yet.

[Brent_Brown]

Still no word on this gyro?

[gyroblackwell]

I got the chance to speak with the owner/designer while at Osh-Kosh.
He was very nice, and I enjoyed the chat as well as showing him my design and comparing notes (so-to-speak). He made mention of the original design, and the fire, and the fact that he does not really want to market a single seat UL, but would rather put his time/effort into a 2 place.

I must agree that a 2 place has much more curb appeal to me as well.

I don't think you will see a production UL for sale from Raven.

He was very interested in the composite tubing that I am using on the Jyro-Deer !

Who knows what will come out of the Raven-Skunkworks !!!

Tim

[Brent_Brown]

I don't think we will see any gyros from them.