TOTAL newbie

[whiplash306]

WOW guys...this gyrocopter sport might just be the answer to many years of wishfull thinking! Up until just 2 days ago, I was totally oblivious to the existence of these sorts of machines. I had actually just been introduced to powered parasailing, but in the back of my mind, knew that a helicopter has ALWAYS been what I've wanted. That said, I do realize that these little aircrafts are not helicopters in the sense of generating lift from above head rotors, but this might just be the closest I will ever be able to come to owning one!

My mother and father owned 2 supercubs while we still lived in Alaska...and while I was still just a small boy. I do however remember numerous trips in them and the exhilaration it always brought. So I guess the fascination of flight has been engrained in me since a child. However, since my father was also a helicopter pilot for over 30 years...2 tours in Vietnam as a medivac pilot, my heart goes out to helicopters vs. fixed wing.

So, now I am enamored with these things and want to learn all I can about them. I do not see any regional subsections in this forum, so how would I go about learning where the next gyro meet will be at? How can I talk face to face with people nearby, perhaps get a ride by an instructor, observe different models, etc??? I live in Central Texas and a little bit of distance driving doesn't bother me. Any useful tips, info, connections or tid-bits that you all feel you'd like to offer would be GREATLY appreciated. I would love to learn more about this sport as I feel it would make a great father/son hobby, but being TOTALLY ignorant, I have absolutely NO idea where to even start....thanks, Jarod

[scottessex]

You came to the right place, Welcome!
Plenty of info here, and I believe that there is plenty of rotorcraft activity in Texas.

[Wilson]

You might also want to drop down to the bottom of the page and hit the 'Archive' button. There are hours of reading in there which can help your knowledge base considerably
Wilson

[chuter]

I think there's going to be a fly-in at Olney TX in late April; there may be a gyro or two there. Hopefully someone will post some info before then.

[gyroman]

Welcome to the forum fellow Texan....

[whiplash306]

Originally Posted by Wilson

You might also want to drop down to the bottom of the page and hit the 'Archive' button. There are hours of reading in there which can help your knowledge base considerably
Wilson

Thanks...I definately plan to spend a lot of reading time on here. My dad plans on coming over to the house sometime this evening and I'll introduce him to the idea of these things then! He's a real eager individual, so I imagine this will be something that will greatly interest him at the very least!

Originally Posted by chuter

I think there's going to be a fly-in at Olney TX in late April; there may be a gyro or two there. Hopefully someone will post some info before then.

I'll have to check into that. Not sure I know where Olney is right off hand. Any connections to the the sponsors of this? I might try and make a phone call or two.

Originally Posted by gyroman

Welcome to the forum fellow Texan....

Alright gyroman, I read your entire build update section and am now left wanting "the rest of the story". You are a patient guy...much more resolve than myself. Guess that's something I should seriously work on if I am considering these gyros....ha Would enjoy the chance to hook up with 'ya at some point when you've got your bird completed....Alvin is not too far from me!...'bout 3 hours. I go down to Baytown for the Fun Ford Weekend racing event they have once a year!

[gyroman]

Yea I know my website is out of date but just don't have the funds or time to spend on building the gyro with the kids growing up.

I am actually working on a tail section that I plan on taking some pictures of and putting on the site.

I knew when I started this it was going to be a long road, matter of fact I delayed putting it off for a year or more just to see if the gyro "bug" was just a whim. I've been on this conference (and the previous) for close to 10 years now. I guess you could say once bitten there is no cure...

[PW_Plack]

Jerod, if you can make it to Bensen Days in Florida, you'll get to see lots of different machines, and get to meet many of the more active people in the sport. Quoted from MJ's post announcing dates:

BENSEN DAYS 2006 Dates are March 28, 2006 Early Bird Day.

Wed March 29,2006 Opening Day and Pot Luck Dinner Under the Tent(hoping for no Storm) so all bring a Dish to help out.

Thursday March 30,2006 those who want to go to Solomons Castle for Dinner are more than welcome to join us.

Friday March 31 Banquet and Awards Dinner if all works out it will be held at the Airport, but we have lots to do to make that happen. Especially because I will be at the Regestration desk from 8am to 5pm, so I will not be much help.

Saturday April 1,2006 we ALL Get to play a April Fool trick on Ron Awad!

Sunday April 2,2006 closing day, roll up power, unhook showers, clean up airport.

Sun/Fun has announced opening day for the public April 4 to the 10, 2006

Pattie from Quilters Inn will be doing our Cooking for Breakfast/Lunch/Supper.
We had a Wonderful Banquet Dinner there at her Bed and Breakfast for New Years.

Alane from Solomons Castle will be at BD Days to sell us Ice Cream YES!

Hoping to have a Big Turn Out. All you folks with Music Instruments Bring them with you, as we could use some Cheer.

We hope to have our webpage up and running with directions to Wauchula and places to stay. Stay Tuned for that to Be Posted.

Special Thanks To Mike Gasspard

The Weather is SO GOOD HERE IN FLORIDA!!! FLY FLY FLY. But of course in Wauchula there is Always a Cross Wind!!!

MJ

[JRB549]

"Welcome to my world" oh sorry i shouldn't sing to the new guys, but if what happened to me happens to you, you will be singing also. I took my first flight, did a whole bunch of reading and asking, and I just made a deal on my first gyro and will start my lessons this week, come to Bensen Days you will not regret it, you'll be singing!

[Timchick]

Welcome Jarod. This is the best place on the net to find gyrocopter info. If you can squeeze in a trip to Bensen Days in Wachula, FL that would give you a chance to see a bunch of gyros, a chance to talk to a lot of experienced people and a chance to ride in one. The info is in Paul's post above. You can also visit Shaun Adams' website to see some on-line videos at:

http://www.rotor-head.com/

[Tina]

Hi Jarod,

Welcome to the forum the best place to find information on gyros thats for sure.

[whiplash306]

Man, you guys have certainly "wet my tastebuds"....but this trip to FL...dang, it's so soon to request time off from work! Is there nothing a bit further out in the future or perhaps somewhat closer to Texas that you all are aware of that won't require quite the same amt of strategic planning...ha

These gyros no doubt are awesome....I also would enjoy learning about the actual ultralight helicopters...although a bit more expensive it seems, they look like they would be tons of fun as well. Ahhhh, so much to learn, so eager to learn.....yet no real direction to start from...hahaha

[JRB549]

Hey ya wont me to call the bossman an have aword or two with him bout letten ya off, Ill do it, I swear I will, just say the word and sunny flowridiah here ya com.

[Airbike]

Hi Jerod,

We’re almost neighbors (Bartlett, South of Temple). I’m somewhat of a newbie too. Like you, my Dad was an Army helicopter pilot. Unfortunately he passed away when I was young and I don’t have a lot of memories. Part of my attraction to Gyros is to have a sense of what he experienced.

I have a late model Air Command single place CLT 582. Air Command is located about 30 miles North East of Dallas at the Caddo Mills airport. I’ve been taking flying lessons there since February of last year.

The folks at Air Command are good people. They let me participate with work on my machine at any stage I wanted to (They are not a go wait in the lobby kind of place). They also offered their full support whenever needed. I’m sure that Doug Smith, Operations Manager, would give you a tour if you call them.

My instructor Greg Bradley, CFI trains for Air Command and comes down from Holt Missouri to provide the instruction. Greg is a very good instructor and has become a good friend. Greg’s contact information is on the Air Command Website.

I’ve also heard lots of good things about Larry Neal’s Butterfly Gyros in Bridgeport, Texas (several hours West of Caddo Mills) and Ernie Boyette’s Dominator Gyros in Florida. The Texas Rotorcraft Association will be having a meeting this weekend in Bridgeport.

http://www.aircommand.com/

http://www.thebutterflyllc.com/

http://www.rotorflightdynamicsinc.com/

http://www.aerovents.com/tra/

Practical advice from my limited prospective:

If you take a demo flight, you will probably become hooked and start devising ways to afford one (it happened to me).

This forum is addictive and you may spend more time than you should on it. A lot of good information is found here. I especially appreciate the knowledge of Chuck Beatty and Doug Riley.

Gyro DVD videos are fun on rainy days. Greg Bradley has an Introduction to Gyro Flight Video available at Air Command. Tim Chick may still offer a set of videos on the forum, which are very good.

The Gyro world turns slowly- patience is required. The upside is that every achievement feels rewarding.

A lot of the information you have to learn is bland, but required knowledge.

Murphy goes after the people who take shortcuts during construction, maintenance, pre-flights, and instruction.

Seek lots of advice before buying a Gyro. Most of the recent machines are designed to be much safer than the older ones. Research the registration, inspection, and airworthiness requirements too. Bob Stark D.A.R. in Olney, Texas is very knowledgeable and could save you some grief if you contact him before sending paperwork to the FAA. The FAA has lots of information on their website once you figure out where to find it.

When I was searching for a machine I ran across a lot of old gyros in open hangers and barns offered cheap. Gyros are not like classic cars- if you spend a lot of money fixing it up you’ll have an old expensive Gyro that still may not be safe. Generally if it’s dirty, drippy, or weathered it’s not worth considering. Leave your “it’s got potential” glasses at home. There is a lot of information here of what to beware of on the old machines. The Gyro companies will provide this info too.

Plan to fly out of an airport for at least a while. Most airports are designed for the prevailing winds and allow time if mistakes are made or equipment fails. Gyros can take off in short distances under the right conditions, but it requires skill and high stress on the machine.

Good Luck on your quest!

[whiplash306]

You guys are GREAT....this is without a doubt the most informative forum I think I've ever visited. It's amazing that I've done little more than introduced myself and discussed a few of my interests, and already some of you have written long 'ole dissertations...so thanks ya'll.....great way of welcoming someone. As for all this info, I guess all I can really do is read it, absorb it and ask more questions. I have attempted to contact the Texas Rotorcraft Assoc. by email and eagerly await their reply. It is my hope that my father and I will be able to attend one of their meets soon.

Airbike, your post was awesome. Thanks for the links. I've checked them all out. But since I've still not ever even seen a gyro in real life, it just made my anticipation worse. I'm like a kid in a candy store who is trying to choose which one he wants even though he has no idea what any of the nicely wrapped candies taste like. What an analogy, huh? Congratulations on your recent purchase! You oughta post up some pics. I'm sure we'd all like to see it! Perhaps since we are basically neighbors, we'll get a chance to meet up sometime. I'd love to see the gyro first hand!

Thanks again guys...Jarod