Speechless

[Wickedpesto]

Hi all, I can't tell you how excited I am to have found this site!! A few things about me. My name is Lawrence, I am 37 years old and I live in Nanaimo, BC. I have always wanted to fly but the thought of ultra lights or paragliders and such, just didn't do it for me, and conventional aircraft (especially helicopters) just too expensive. I don't remember exactly how I came across gyroplanes, as I've actually never been up in one (or see one in real life). I think three or so years ago I stumbled across RAF2000's website, and have been dreaming ever since! I have been in other aircraft and there is no doubt in my mind that I'm gonna love gyrocopters!
This month I have made the decision to actually start moving towards my license and gyrocopter ownership. It's been frustrating the last few years, people sick of me talking about gyroplanes, and no one to talk with about them... (in fact I've never even seen one on Vancouver Island and I have lived here my entire life). So to find this site and a group of enthusiasts... WOW! I've got some reading to do! Sorry if I seem over enthusiastic :p
I figure the next year for reading and researching (and saving lol), then buying or building within one to two years. I was hoping someone could recommend what books would be a good first read?
Before I found this forum I was getting ready to mail my membership cheque to PRA, and now after a quick forum browse I'm going to mail it tomorrow! I can't wait to get my first copy of PRA's Rotocraft Magazine.
Cheers!

[Udi]

Welcome to the forums, Lawrence!

If you are looking for good reading - this forum is it. Ask any questions you have at the appropriate sections of the forum. Before asking a question however, you may want to use the search feature to read previous posts on the subject. But you will get a lot of friendly advice here.

I don't know which gyro you have in mind for yourself; I just want to recommend that you buy a modern gyro. When I say modern I mean a gyro that is designed with the latest advances in gyroplane aerodynamics and safety. Some good designs are the AAI Sparrow Hawk side-by-side dual place, the Dominator single place or tandem dual, and the new design Air Command (CLT) single place or tandem dual. Please don't buy an old and unsafe design, such as the RAF 2000. The RAF 2000 is very sexy but, sadly, also deadly.

Udi

[Heron]

Yeah and today you can even buy a gyroplane that transforms in to a Fly-Drive vehicle for one or two people.
www.thebutterflyllc.com have fun and welcome!
Heron

[spaceman spiff]

Welcome lawrence,

Just gettng started myself.
Great bunch of folks here.

[barnstorm2]

Glad to have you here!

[Friendly]

Welcome Lawrence. I enjoyed Paul Abotts books on gyroplanes, they are probably on the PRA web site. This forum is great place to learn as well. Several of the posters here write articles for PRA so join up today, join a local chapter as well and get in on the fun first hand.

[gyroplanes]

Welcome to the family. I delivered a gyro to an owner in Vancouver, BC several years ago. Scott Spierer, who occasionally posts here, bought the gyro and kept it in Lynden, WA. There were several other gyros in the hangar at Lynden when we were there.