University of McGowan

[Screw]

Hi All,

As most know, Steve is leaving for Az soon. He will be packing his bags by the end of this month. He will be missed. There is some question about who, will people in Ga, go to for help. Gyro Instructors are few and far between, but there can only be one Steve McGowan. Some folks give Steve a hard time for one thing or another, but he has a lot of characteristic traits about him that should be admired.

This past weekend was absolutely a blast. I took my Camera and shot a few, but another guy has a lot more photos.

I thought I would take this opportunity to "Thank Him," and "Pay Tribute" to him by posting these few pics. I would encourage anyone who has pics of Steve doing various things, and helping others to post there pics as here as well.

The "University of McGowan" will soon close in the Great State of Ga. (Who Sen. John Kerry doesn't care about), but will open elsewhere. I'm sure wherever Steve goes, Great Training, Advice, Friendship, Boo, Elfin Magic, and Cut-Off Shirts and Shorts will follow ;D

Thanks Steve for everything,

John Stevens-

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Steve with a Physical Therapist from Alabama.

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This guy bought this Mac 90 powered KB-2 from another guy in California.

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This is what happens when you pull all of the gyros out of Steve's hanger.

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Another shot.

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Another angle with crop.

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Without crop.

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On the Deck

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Don't forget the "Training Mule."

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Scott Essex and George. George is from Kentucky!

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Another angle of their machines.

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Of Course Steve is always willing to help me with "Da Screw-Driver."

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Not selling Chuck Yeager short or anything, but it takes a special kind of wheelbarrel to carry the "Balls" needed to test-fly machines that are built by regular people, with no experance, and that you don't know. The next few shots are of Steve test-flying and working out the trim in "Da Screw-Driver."

Pre-Rotate

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Balance!

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Fly-Bye1

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Flybye2

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Flybye3

[Phil_Ruffin]

Great post John!

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Flybye4

On the Deck and Movin out!

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Flybye5

On the Deck and Movin out!

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Flybye6

On the Deck and Movin out!

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FlyBye7

Bye Bye

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Flybye9

Coming Back!!!!

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Flybye10

Watchout!!!

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The pefect landing on the taxi way.

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These are just some photos I took of Steve Test-Flying "Da Screw-Driver." He does this for anyone with a machine. For that I am very greatful to him. For all of the critics out there...All photos of Steve Flying were taken with a 35mm and Zoom lens. Pics were then Crop, and enhanced. At no time was I or anyone else close to the machine while in flight.

More power to you Steve! Your the "Best!"

John Stevens-

[Screw]

Thanks Phil....

John-

[scottessex]

Killer pics John! I can't wait to do it again!! ;D

[ToddP]

Great thread John,

Without a doubt, Steve is one of the best out there.

[Screw]

I finaly bought a Photo editor, but still need lots of practice.

These are pretty much all of the photos I have, others need to post thier photos of Steve doing various things.


John-

[scottessex]

I wish I could post 8mm video! I have some good shots with sound!
I made my son and Wife watch them when I got home!

:D Mine even looked good on film, if I just edit out the "landing"
or I could add music, so you couldn't hear the engine quit.!

[Screw]

Hey,

I saw that movie 8mm :o We will not have any of that here!

John-

[Phil_Ruffin]

Hey John, here's an idea..... Before Steve leaves for Texas let's have a McGowan Roast. You know, like the Celebrity Roast you see on TV.

We'll all get together for dinner one night and take turns talking about him.

[Screw]

Your Buying Right?

John-

[GyroRon]

Steve Rocks!

[GyroRon]

Steve is crazy too ;D

[GyroRon]

Watch out for Murphy, He will bite ya

[Screw]

Nice pics Ron.

John-

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I just got a few more from last weekend. These photos were taken by another gentleman.

John-

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The flight line.

John-

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Air Commands are red,
Dominators are blue,
here are some shots,
of Pilots and Crew,

The day was nice,
My Flight Suit is blue,
let not forget,
the Students, and Boo. ;D

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Another

John-

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This is the Physical Therapist from Mobile Alabama. I forgot his name :( (sorry). He just bought his machine from someone in California.

His Machine is a Mac 90 Powered KB-2. I recommended he go with WWI German "Red Barron" Scheme with the Cross on his tail.

John-

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Of Course,

Here is Steve with Boo.

John-

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Here is Boo with Steve?

John-

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Here's Scott Essex with his new machine. You think my VW is load? You should hear his without the baffles!!! Jesus Christ.....Sound like a dirt bike with a mission! Then it get close and hurts.

John-

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Here is on of me with "Da Screw-Driver."

John-

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Here is George. He is from Kentucky and his Dominator is one of the best looking gyro's I've every seen. (Not that I've seen alot), but the attention to detail and the time he put in really shows. It's powered by a Rotax 582.

John-

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This guy wishes that were his gyro. Super nice fellow and hangs out at the airport alot. Wants to into gyros something bad.

John-

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Classic Steve,

Preparing for another lesson.

John-

[Rotornut]

Yup that be Steve but, no BOO?? lol

Looking forward to April! MJ :)

[stuart]

It has been a real high point for me training with Steve; a more talented pilot or a nicer guy I have yet to find. He will be missed around here.

[scottessex]

Howdy Stuart! Will you be there this upcoming weekend? I will try to be there at least for one day. I know John will be there, And I think George is coming back also.

[Screw]

Screw-in

Hi All,

It is my pleasure to announce that yesterday, March 10th, 2004 John "Screw" Stevens Soloed "Da Screw-Driver" at approx 1720 hours @ Herbert Smart Airport in Macon, Ga.

I purchased the Ken Brock KB-2 and VW engine in May of 2003. CFI Steve McGowan took it to the air for the first time on the 23rd of February 2004.

After 8.1 hours of dual instruction and an additional 2 hours of taxi, balancing on mains, and a few crow hops, Steve met me in his gyro and the end of the run way. He had Scott Essex (a fellow Student) in the front seat. Scott and I were unaware of Steve's intentions. Steve hand signaled to me to spin up my rotor and to "Follow Him" around the patch. Scott had no idea. Steve announced to Scott, "Let's go." As Steve and his gyro started down the runway, I spooled up and began my taxi. I maintained about 300ft behind and to the left of Steve's gyro. When Steve began to increase speed, as did I. My rotor were ready to fly long before Steve's were so I got a little more Balancing in. We broke ground about the same time. I had a little left cyclic into the wind and a little left pedal for "P" factor. I came off the ground with my left main a little lower than my right. A little more power and she straightened up. I followed Steve around the patch about 5-7 hundred feet behind and to left. Steve informed Scott to look to his right and I could see the expression of Scott's face. I think he was as surprised as me.

I remember thinking to myself, "Yeah! Know whacha gonna do? You up here now and there ain't no one in the back seat. Hope you can land this thing." Scott and Steve went in first and made a touch. as I was turning final and reducing power. I kept reminding myself to watch the horizon. As I began to settle in a shallow descent. I saw Steve's Gyro bolt off the runway and literally fly sideways as I began my flare and touched down. My touchdown was not as soft as I would have liked. But "Da Screw-Driver" will fly again. Steve motioned for us to go back to the hanger where I was congratulated for completing my first solo. I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. I kept re-playing the flight in my mind. As soon as I left, I called my Dad, my brother Mike, and my wife.

John-

Screw-out

[Harry_S.]

All Right Big Guy. Congratulations.

Blue skies ahead.

[barnstorm2]

Congratulations!!! ;D ;D ;D


The picture here on my profile is from the day I flew the pattern for the first time.

Great isn't it! I could not stop thinking about it for days and days!


Welcome to the solo gyro club PILOT!

[scottessex]

I'm glad you finnally posted! I was as excited as you were. Steve told me to fly back around and I would see something I had never seen before, so I was thinking it was one of Steve's "fly with your eyes closed" thinmgs or some other training aid he was setting me up for.
Then he says "look over there to the right" and I look, and there is John and his gyro flying at the same altitude as us!!!!!!
It was awesome!
Proud of you John!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Screw]

Thanks guys,

I keep replaying the flight in my mind and it wont stop. I can't get any work done!

John-

[barnstorm2]

Exactly,

I was worthless all week due to 'solo euphoria'.

Good thing I did not get a D.U.I.S.E

( Driving Under the Influence of Solo Euphora )

[GyroRon]

Good Job John! I know the excitment.... I soloed the 1st weekend after Bensen Days 2001, I was probably ready to solo at the fly in after I got my training but The powers that be don't like Students to solo at the Fly-ins. I was so excited and there wasn't a soul around to share my excitement with.

you were trained by the best IMHO and you will do fine. I don't know of a single McGowan student that has crashed or gotten killed or seriously hurt flying gyros.

I hope now that your done that you will come over to Goose Creek for the weekend of the 27th and 28th. You know your welcome to stay here at my place so it will only cost you gas and food.

Congrats!!!

[PW_Plack]

John!

Congrats! I haven't soloed a gyro yet, but I would imagine that to solo a machine you built yourself has to be even bigger than soloing somebody else's Aeronca Champ, which was a big day for me.

Remember, some of us will be anxious to know how that VW runs, whether it has any bad habits, and how long it lasts. Keep us posted!

[Screw]

Thanks Barnstorm and Ron,

I don't know about Goose Creek, but I will see. I also appreciate the offer of staying with you, however, if I went, I could only go for the day.

Besides, If I stayed the night with you, the rumors would really fly. ;D

John-

[Phil_Ruffin]

Nice going John, a day you will always remember! Did they sign your shirt and then cut the back out of it so you can frame it?

My solo was somewhat of the same. I was flying the runway and Steve flew up beside me and said follow me. I had no idea that was going to be the day. I flew the pattern a couple of times, did a couple of touch and go's, landed and had one of my favorite shirts cut up. But now it's on my wall in my office. Pretty neat.

Congrats again, your the Man....next time I see ya at McGowan University I will buy you lunch............. ;D You know like you did for me. ;D All kidding aside, I will treat you to lunch.

Scott, when you can roll across the rice paper without tearing it. it will be your turn grasshopper. Later Phil

[ToddP]

Great News John,

Congratulations, the first solo leaves you with a stupid grin for days. No other feeling. Great Job.

Todd

[scottessex]

I taxied mine untill sunset, but I was not ready like John was. It was Quite a sight, as I had no idea what was going on. I am still working on that rice paper thing. ;D


Oh yeah, that VW of Johns runs like a top. That thing should last forever, plus his parts will be very reasonably priced.

[Caribean_gyro]

congratulation on your first solo. I remember mine I was so stuck looking on altitude and speed that when I turn in to down wind and then on final the airport desapeard. I was on final to a bunch of cows then I fugure ups wrong airort.

I agree with Todd you walk smiling like if you did a joke to someone else . Fly safe and when tired of flat land come to PR will show you some interesting beach to fly lto.
Chuck

[ben]

john and scott, will you guys and steve be around next weekend??? a buddy and i might fly down. ben

[Caribean_gyro]

Valvels on a VW engine. We had a guy go down in the ocean becasue he didnt adjust his valves. VW are great engine but have found that you need to pay close eyes on the valve adjustment. First sign is lower power.

beside taht we have VW that have flown over open water for 40 minutes in heavy wind. very reliable .
Chuck P

[Screw]

Thanks Chuck P.

John-

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Ben,

Today and Sunday they are having a flying at Herbert Smart, but we are planning to be there the weekend after (3/27-3/28).

John-