Bensen Days 2004 Pictures

[GyroRon]

I am tired as tired gets, left the fly in yesterday at 2 pm and drove till 2am to get home. Had a blast! This time I took lot's of pictures for all of you who couldn't make it.

I got to fly several machines there.... Toms Hirth powered Dominator, Scotts 912s powered Dominator, Ernies ultrawhite Dominator, Jakes custom two place, Barrys Gyrobee,and I think I flew some others and can't remember. I do know that these Dominators are flying better and better with each new version I get to fly. All three I remember flying were smooth as butter and the 912 version was breathtaking.

I tore up Toms machine with my first landing in it - Sorry Tom!!!! - I flared a tad too high and too nose high and tapped the tip of the anti servo tab into the ground bending it a little, of course Mike Solano went up latter that day and did the same thing..... I also flew Toms machine latter and got to experience a Hirth engine out!!! - one of the spark plugs blew out of the head - but didn't have a problem bringing his machine in for a uneventful landing.

I flew my Phantom ultralight quite a bit. Matter of fact , I was up flying in winds that had most gyros on the ground. Of course I think I was upside down in it more than right side up.

I had a great time visiting old friends and making new ones. I am especially glad to have gotten to spend time and know Mike Bantum and Scott Lewis and their familys and friends better. Tim Verroi brought his 17 year old daughter for her first time to a gyro fly in and she was loving it, Glad to see more family at these fly in's. Next year I will drag my wife and son no matter what!!!

anyway here and in the next few threads is some pics. Enjoy.

[GyroRon]

Tom and his machine

[GyroRon]

Scott Lewis and his machine

[GyroRon]

Sunstate VP and new gyro BFI David Seace

[GyroRon]

I even got this pic of Chuck Irby and his Dominator

[GyroRon]

Jim Hay and his ultrawhite Dominator doing some maintance

[GyroRon]

Tim Verroi's Dominator

[GyroRon]

Bob Kopp and a customers Midnight Hawk gyroplane - which he had for sale there at a great price - Bob is the manufactor of the Midnight Hawk line of affordable gyroplanes.

[GyroRon]

Bull Brown and his Bensen Gyrocopter.

[GyroRon]

Dan Leslie and his nice Aircommand Elite trainer

[GyroRon]

Duanne Hunn and his bright yellow RAF 2000

[GyroRon]

Jake Jacob and his one of a kind two place.

[GyroRon]

The guys from AAI came all the way to Bensen Days. Here is Jim Mayfield in front of his beautiful SparrowHawk. There was two true Sparrowhawks on the field and 3 or 4 Converted RAFs there as well. Also two Stab equipped Standard RAFs and two non Stabed RAFS. Lot's of bubble machines this year!!!

[GyroRon]

Lewis Hartzler and his twin rudder machine

[GyroRon]

Mike Boyette in front of a nice yellow Dominator

[GyroRon]

Mike Gaspard and his stunning yellow Bensen. His machine was one of the finest Bensens I have ever seen, And he is a real nice guy.

[GyroRon]

Mike Solano and his new Aircommand Elite trainer.

[GyroRon]

Roy Davis and his custom 912 powered gyro. Roy is one hell of a gyro pilot and he and his machine put on some great flying to watch. Roy is a airline pilot out of Florida.

[GyroRon]

Rusty Nance and his Blue two place Dominator

[GyroRon]

Steve McGowan and his Parsons trainer

[GyroRon]

My Phantom of the flightline

[Gordon Gibson]

Ron

Thanks very much for your fine efforts in posting all these pictures. Folks that were unable to attend BD get a really good idea of what went on. The idea of all the close-ups of people, many with their machines, is a winner! It's great to be able to put faces to names.
Thanks, Gordon Gibson.

[CLS447]

Thanks Ron, we are loving the pics & stories. We really wished we could have come!

Chris & Shar

[greg spicola]

Fun had by all
Greg

[GyroRon]

Greg thanks for the Chevy sticker. I ran out of room on my camera to take more pics, I wanted to get one of you and the guys from Immokalee before I left.

Looks like you got one of me upside in the Phantom!!!

[barnstorm2]

Ron,

It was great getting to meet you. Thanks for the tent usage. Sorry I did not get to thank you and see you off I think I must have been on a lesson when you left.


For the rest of you.. Ron is leaving a few details out. For instance..

He formed a gang of punk cycle pilots. They must be planning a rampage through town...

[barnstorm2]

Lots of hard work going on here ;)

[barnstorm2]

This is not your average ad..

[barnstorm2]

Boo bounced into a little trouble Thursday but by Friday he was back at the fireside chat.

[GyroRon]

Yes Tim I had to go since I was following Maxie and he wouldn't wait any longer to hit the road. It was a pleasure to meet you too, Sorry I didn't spend more time with ya but will plan to see you again at Mentone. Also be sure to mark your calender for Rotors Over Carolina this October. Should be a great turn out.

Post some more pics, but you might ought to start a new thread for the guys on dial up.

[Exterminator]

Hay there Ron thanks for the Photos and the pleasure was ours. I hope your are successfull in bringing you family next year. Scott

[GyroRon]

Kicking or Screaming their coming next year like it or not! Hope to see you Florida guys later this Spring or early summer, I want to fly the Pacer down to visit. Also make sure to come up to the Carolinas to see us for Rotors Over Carolina first week of October.