Barnstorming Aircraft - Tim O
Barnstorming Aircraft - Tim O
Gyro owners want to show off their machines? Nahh...
But now that you mention it... I just happen to have a few photos of the gyros I have owned...
1st gyroplane... a 1980's vintage HTL AirCommand supplied with blistering power :bored: from a Rotax 447. I loved this little gyro. Terribly underpowered but I would not go back and change a thing. She taught me power management. To make up for her lack of thrust she was fantasticly nimble and if you asked me to land her on the numbers I would ask you: 'Which one?'
She has been improved with a CLT kit and is now under the care of Gyro-Nut, you can see her new config in his avatar.
Pict 1, on the ground at Barnets Grass Strip
Pict 2, airborne en route to an ultralight club gathering
Pict 3, "cockpit" view. This gyro had the best views of all time.
2ond gyroplane.... 2000ish vintage AirCommand CLT SxS Elite. The prototype and first one flying. She flew easily and was a joy to fly. Even though thermals and gusts she was even and stable. I could fly all afternoon nearly hands off. I went through 2 junkyard Subaru EJ-22s before I broke down and bought a new one in a crate. The spindly nosewheel made her very difficult to taxi and takeoff. Eventually, the nosewheel failed and she turned into a ball of aluminum at the end of Blue Ash Airport's runway. I hope to rebuild her next year with re-designed gear and fuel injection.
Pict 1, Newly born parked in front of the PRA Chapter 34 hangar with a double rainbow and twin fixedwings flying in formation behind her.
Pict 2, Inflight from the POV of my friend Mark's Brantly Helicopter
Pict 2, The cockpit view
My current gyroplane. The most valueable, sturdy, trustworthy, fastest most powerfull gyro I have ever owned or flown in. :hail: :hail: The Twinstarr.
The Twinstarr is a nearly production gyroplane. Not an 18a nor a J2 but about as close as you can get. She is powered by a certified Lycoming O-320-B producing 160hp. The 1998 #14 Twinstarr is HTL and has tandem seating, not my first choice in designs but she had made be a believer and I am beyond content.
Pict 1, On ground the day I first saw her.
Pict 2, In flight near Mentone at the PRA convention (Photo by: GyroRon)
