Don Parham gives up the mag

[KenSandyEggo]

Got a postcard from Don today that he's going to stop publishing "Homebuilt Rotorcraft" in a few months. That's too bad. It had a lot of good Subaru and technical info in it. Says he's quiting due to health. Probably sick of all the headaches in publishing a mag. Hope you're O.K., Don. :(

[GeorgeHedinger]

Gee! I just subscribed to it! That was short lived!

[Rotornut]

Glad I saved all the old ones. But we will miss not getting it. Don take care of yourself. MJ :)

[barnstorm2]

I just subscribed too. Good mag. Its a shame. :(

Come'on people, lets get more people into gyros!! Now is the time!

The anticipated boost in GA with sport pilot is a great time to take advantage of the gyro's kick but coolness but people have to know about them!!!

[automan1223]

Don is no spring chicken. He has been busting his ass a good long time and his health is the reason he gave me for cutting back on his work schedule. So dont call him up and aggravate him ! Don has been a pillar in the gyro community and it is unfortunate that old age catches up with you sooner or later. I wish him well. He said he had to forgo bensen days cause he ate too many jelly beans or those marshmallow sugar bunnies... I forget.

Jonathan

[barnstorm2]

I am sorry to hear about his health problems. I have yet to meet Don but he sure seems like a cool and knowledgeable guy when you talk to him on the phone.

He even sent me a bunch of back issues with my first mag. Great stuff!

[rfi]

I have some good news concerning Homebuilt Rotorcraft magazine. We have a buyer for the little rag. Dr. Robert Stark from Olney, Texas will be assuming responsibility for the magazine around the first of August which means that our last issue will be the August issue. Dr. Stark will start publishing with the September issue.

Bob Stark has been involved in aviation for over fifty years. He has numerous ratings including CFI. He is an airworthiness inspector, fixed wing CFI (he is working on gyro CFI), DAR, EAA Technical Advisor, and I don't know what else.

Stark has a business at the Olney Airport where the CarterCopter is test flown. He has a very sophisticated avionics shop and had developed a number of Suplemental Type Certificates. He said that he had worn out two AB Dick 360 printing presses and can repair one in his sleep. We are selling him all of our printing equipment including an AB Dick 360 press.

We do have a lot of back issues (approximately 120) if anyone is interested. We will probably give them to Dr. Stark if he wants them.

I felt bad about quitting the magazine but not the reduction drive business. Belt drives are not suited for gyroplanes if one wants centerline thrust unless you build the drive upside down like the SparrowHawk. BTW, Tracy Crook will soon be selling a well proven planetary reduction drive for the EJ series Subaru engines. I just sent him drawings and my precision drill jig so that he could fabricate the flywheel and adaptor plate. No need to reinvent the wheel. Tracy also has a simplified EFI system for $850 which is a very reasonable price. He specializes in the Mazda rotary engine but has decided to offer accessories for the Subaru since it is so popular. He is also an ex-gyro pilot. He flew Mac powered Bensens for several years. Tracy's website is: www.rotaryaviation.com if anyone is interested in contacting him.

I am not totally going away. I will still be doing modification of stock Subaru EFI harnesses and selling conversion manuals and plans. All of my future endeavors will be accomplished while sitting on my butt and not on my feet.
I may even build a two place SBS tractor gyro for myself if Sport Pilot comes through.

[Aussie_Paul]

'time you thought of yourself for a change. I, and the people you helped when I sent them your way, wish you well.

Now you can do things for Don.

Aussie Paul.

[KenSandyEggo]

Good luck in all your endeavors, Don. I wish you well.

[Rotornut]

Just dont give up on visiting family, we hope you continue to come out to the fly-ins. Fly-Safe, Richard Oxnam

[barnstorm2]

Don,

Contratulations on the keeping the Mag alive!

Can you tell us more about the redrive?

You said:

"Tracy Crook will soon be selling a well proven planetary reduction drive for the EJ series Subaru engines. I just sent him drawings and my precision drill jig so that he could fabricate the flywheel and adaptor plate. No need to reinvent the wheel."


Proven? What is(was) it called, and who produced it??

[CLS447]

Tim, I thought of you when I read that! But you were right on it! I want to know also.

[rfi]

Tracy has been producing planetary reduction drives for the Mazda rotary and now he will be adapting the gear set to the EJ22 and EJ25 engines. You can see his reduction drive on his web site: www.rotaryaviation.com.

[barnstorm2]

Good looking redrive!

Price: $2890 + $65 shipping

Any idea when the Subaru EJ versions will be ready?

[CLS447]

Tim, that reminds me. What is the ratio of your redrive on the EJ-22? The Souza gearbox I am using is 2.28-1. 5120 engine RPM's @ 13 degrees on a 68" WARP=2245 prop RPM's.

[StanFoster]

Don: Do you have some contac information on subsrribing to your magazine? I would like to subscribe to it. Also....I want to thank you for designing such an excellent stabilizer for my RAF. I am very satisfied with the way it handles in any wind ...and with my doors on as well.

I am also interested in you shock system for the RAF and am also considering adding fuel injection this winter when I am doing its annual. Any info you could send my way would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Stan

[CLS447]

Stan, then you could have sold me your Air filter/ carb heat box. I just got mine from RAF for $110. I hope to adapt it to my Weber & exhaust, it's nice. It has SUBARU molded into it .I wonder if they make it/ have it made or is it a Sub part? I hope to find a K&N replacement filter for it.

[barnstorm2]

Chris,

I have no idea what the ratio is. I have no manual. When I had it rebuilt I requested documentation but the 'manufacturer' only sent me a basic set of installation instructions.

I forgot to reply to the pod statment you made.

It is funny you said you were thinking about the pod because I was wondering if I would miss the open cockpit experience. How will people know my flying photos if they can't see my old sneakers? :confused:

[CLS447]

You gotta get some velcro ones like me & all the old farts wear. Right Ron

[GyroRon]

right Grandpa Chris!