San Diego to Kansas

[lanichol]

Yes, Ken's gyro traveled 1550 miles from San Diego Ca to Hanover Kansas in less than two days. And has traveled on to a private air park near St. Joe, MO. for a total of 1700 miles.

I not sure how many individuals have met Ken SanDiego in person, but he is a very gracious host and as personable as he seem in his forum post. He also has been very kind in answering questions. My writting skills are not as keen when compared to Ken's multitude of post. But driving from KS to Ca & back is an adventure.

My original plan was to leave on a Sunday evening or an early Monday morning. I had a 4x4 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel pickup pulling a 16 ft gooseneck flat bed trailer. Naturally I had problems with the wiring & a dead short in the safety brake. Monday evening 7:00 pm, I finally left for San Diego. And took a brief nap in Dodge City KS at a truck stop early Tuesday morn.

In the mean time, a friend/CFI flew on ahead to San Diego. Ken was kind and picked him up at the airport. I wanted the CFI to fly with Ken and become familiar with the gyro.

I arrived at Gillispie airport, home to Ken SanDiego, Wednesday just a little afternoon. The CFI & Ken had gone through the gyro making various changes.

I was overwhelmed by the gyro and the additions Ken had made. Greg, the CFI calmed me by saying he felt the same way for the first hour.

I took the following picture, which is the last time Ken flew his gyro alone. And next pictures I took when Greg & Ken were flying.

More later.

[animal]

Yes, Ken's gyro traveled 1550 miles from San Diego Ca to Hanover Kansas in less than two days. And has traveled on to a private air park near St. Joe, MO. for a total of 1700 miles.

I took the following picture, which is the last time Ken flew his gyro alone. And next pictures I took when Greg & Ken were flying.

More later.

Great pics, keep us informed,that is a great looking machine,nice to see pics of it in flight. I look forward to the day you are flying it and showing us some in flight pics.

fly safe.

Tim H.

[Chuck Roberg]

Looking at that picture of Ken in the gyro for the last flight.....................just sort of brought a tear to my eye. :(

Anyway good luck with your new ship. Take it slow, take your time to get comfortable with it.

[KenSandyEggo]

All that's needed in that photo is for someone to Photoshop some drool dripping down from my open mouth.....STOP! I was kidding!

[Harry_S.]

DITTO on Gyrochucks' post.


Cheers :)

[lanichol]

Ken has often talked about his fellow hanger rats. Would it be surprising to find neighboring hangers with individuals as unique as Ken?

Below are several photo I took on my visit to Ken & Gillespie Air Park.

The heli that flew the rescue mission for Ken two hangers down.
A guy the builds 270 mph model jets.
A crew that flies banners...big banners.
An ag wagon with the tank removed for a second cockpit.

And I was only there for two days.

[lanichol]

Ken & Greg took the yellow bird out for a spin so Greg could get the feel for the modified gyro.

According to Greg, Ken would be a great instructor. I would agree, although Ken did rattle my cage on my first ever ride in a gyro. I found myself holding onto the little door bolt on the outside edge of the door. If you are use to airplanes, be prepared on your first gyro ride. The glide slope is much steeper and the takeoffs are lot more interesting.

[lanichol]

Ken fills the gyro from his Volkswagon. Thus he was burning premium in the little critter. I have always been proud of my Dodge diesel, lots of tork, loud straight pipes, good accelation.

The traffic in Hanover is a little different, we watch for kids on 4-wheelers, slow for horses (they ride down mainstreet), U-turns are fair just about anywhere, we have no stop lights, cops or sheriffs.

After our first day, Ken said follow me! Follow him heck, I was being outrun by a volkswagon in 6 lane traffic. Greg noticed it too. Must be the premium.

On Friday 3:00 pm, the blades came off. We rolled the gyro up onto the trailer and set the first chalks. Ken had to leave, so we said our goodbyes and took a few pictures.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening tieing down the craft and wrapping the cab with U-haul shipping plastic. I did a few drive around the blocks, & then the freeway checking each time for movement. Ken's fellow hanger rat help me lower the pressure on the tires, which seem to help alot.

About 10:00 pm I headed for the Buckeye airport some 300 plus miles away.

Now Ken warned me that this gyro was a babe magnet. I had just made 2 miles and was pulled up to a stop light near a gas station when two cute girls in a pickup pulled up next to me! They promptly rolled down their window and asked if it was a helicopter and if I knew how to fly it. "No, its a gyrocopter"
And onto Buckeye I went in the middle of the night. I prefered the night drive, no traffic & lower temps.

[PW_Plack]

Larry, I had the same experience stopping at gas stations towing a SparrowHawk. There was no such thing as a quick stop for gas! No cute girls, though, only old farmers and truckers. Next time, I'll skip I-90, head down and take I-8 instead!

The guys from Groen Brothers, who drove two SparrowHawks to Mentone and then Oshkosh, stopped for lunch at a mall food court. Reportedly there was quite a mob at their trailer when they came back out.

My dream is still to make a formation dinner flight from El Mirage next year, and land at Bravo Burger in Adelanto. We just have to wait till the town's only police officer is on his day off. :)

[animal]

[QUOTE=lanichol
Now Ken warned me that this gyro was a babe magnet. I had just made 2 miles and was pulled up to a stop light near a gas station when two cute girls in a pickup pulled up next to me! They promptly rolled down their window and asked if it was a helicopter and if I knew how to fly it. "No, its a gyrocopter"
[/QUOTE]

What No pics of the Babes? sounds like you are just getting started on many big adventures.