Air Command fatal - Japan

[Chippydriver]

I have a Japanese PhD student who tells me that two of his acquaintances have been killed in a side-by-side Air Command in Japan. Can't find anything via websearches, it's been a word-of-mouth (or email) communication.

Anybody on here know the scene in Japan? How many gyros? Are they regulated to hell and back, or are they free to do their own thing? Also of course, anything (technical) about that fatal.

Thanks

[C. Beaty]

This accident occurred about 2 months ago, Stewart.

It was an early model SBS AirComand and as might be expected, was a bunt with the rotor chopping off the tail.

The pilot had about 350 hours in that machine.

[KenSandyEggo]

From an old article, as I recall, when they want to fly their gyros in Japan, they have to rent a private airport for the day. I don't believe it was cheap, either.

[Kevin_Richey]

One of our PRA Chapter 73 members has visited Japan and some of the gyro guys there, including a Mr. Kiyoshi Onoda.

He posted a photo in one of our newsletters of one fellow flying his gyro low across the sand and surf there in Japan. They tow their gyros to the beach to avoid the rental fees of the airstrips.

One can read about their trip to Japan and the gyro stuff by going to the Chapter website: www.pra73.net
and clicking on the "Past Newsletters", and then selecting the Sept. 2001 issue. See the photo also of John Landry and Chapter 73 former President Dick Moore standing with John's Gyrobee.

All of the other newsletters are available to anyone to peruse (no password needed). The most recent year's collection of newsletters have been put together by Gary Kaminski, the owner of the yellow RAF 2000 gyro you see from time to time on the Rotary Forum.

[Chippydriver]

Many thanks for all the info everybody.