2007 looks like the year of the gyro for me

[13brv3]

Greetings,

Right after the holidays, it appears that I'll be taking the first step (yes, FINALLY) toward being a gyro kinda guy. I'm going to get a Sport Pilot add-on to my current Private fixed wing license. It turns out that I can do this all locally in an RAF. While this won't be the most appropriate model (since I don't plan to build anything like that), it's mighty convenient, and I'll get the basic training and rating out of the way.

Way back when I originally wanted to do the gyro thing, it was common to be able to fly experimental gyros with a fixed wing license. Next, a few years ago, they made it more difficult to carry a passenger by adding a rule about requiring an instructors endorsement. Now, the latest operating restrictions that are being issued by my DAR have a requirement that states: "The pilot in command of this aircraft must hold an appropriate category / class rating." That means I can't fly any experimental gyro that I build unless I have the appropriate rating.

This isn't necessarily bad news, since having the rating "should" open up the possibility of buying (overpriced) liability insurance (my hanger lease requires it). I was told before that the insurance companies wouldn't write a policy without a gyro rating. It also clears me to eventually get a two place, and more importantly, will let me fly gyros without a medical under sport pilot rules.

By the time the rating is done, I should have the single rotor engine on a test stand, and will hopefully have a redrive for it. That's the biggest hold-up right now. Once I determine that the engine and as-yet-to-be-found redrive works out, then I'll go for the actual gyro. The only two options I see at the moment are the Dominator (90% chance), and the Little Wing (10% chance because I don't feel like welding it all up).

Now, if anyone made it this far, your mission is to HOLD ME TO THIS

Cheers,
Rusty