Boston to San Diego in a gyro.

[ckurz7000]

Hi friends,

I dunno if this thread belongs in the "Event" forum but it certainly is an event for me. Or more correctly: it probably will be. Let me explain....

Together with a friend I want to take our gyros and fly from Boston (Beverly, BVY) to San Diego (actually Carlsbad, CRQ). This would be the trip of my lifetime since between 1989 and 1998 I spent 7 years in Cambridge and 3 in Carlsbad before moving back to Austria. The second intent of our journey is, of course, to meet people along the way. Particularly gyronauts like ourselves. Hopefully a lot of people from this forum!! Since my friend and I are both also homeopaths (he is a pharmacist and I double as a homeopath), we have a third reason: to visit several snake farms to get their venom, milk an alligator and pluck the odd medicinal flower.

Since we would be doing this adventure in two gyros, we are currently looking into getting use of a second one sponsored by the manufacturer of the MT03. To begin with, we'd ship both our MT03s across the big drink to Boston.

From there on, all that's firm is the destination: CRQ. The route is pretty much wide open. In general I am leaning toward the southern route, flying down into Florida before turning west. Meeting the Wauchula morons has always been high on my list. A landing at Lake Hemet is also a must. In between, nothing's set in stone yet.

And, of course, we want to fly over pretty country. But America is a big and beautiful place, and there are things to admire pretty much any which way you fly. Any suggestions are, however, much appreciated.

We are shooting for a departure date from BVY around middle of May 2009 and are planning three weeks for the trip.

There are still a couple of show stoppers along the way, and by no means is it sure that we'll be able to get everything lined up for a May departure. So there's a very real chance that it might not happen at all. But at the moment we're moving on the assumption that it will (positive thinging and all).

Currently I need to determine the licensing situation. I have a US PPL (glider, SEL) and a German Ultralight License for Gyrocopters, my friend holds an Austrian PPL (SEL) and also a German Ultralight License for Gyrocopters. We will be flying German registered MT03 gyros (450 kg MTOW, 2-place). What's the best way to make this happen with the FAA? Any suggestions?

One option would be to sell both gyros in the US. This would save us the cost and worry for the return shipment. Is there any interest at all to buy one used (350 hrs) and maybe also one new MT03? Of course it all depends on the price. For the used one our limit would be 35,000 Euros. (Rotax 912, in-flight adjustable Ivoprop, radio, intercom, transponder, digital compass, fuel flow computer, etc.). Nothing's set yet, I just want to get a feel if there's interest at all.

During the trip we'd be posting daily updates, pictures and even the occasional video on the forum. So if it happens at all, I am going to post live here.

Again, there's still a lot that can go awry. I have to work hard not to set my expectations too high since the trip might not happen. But I have to start somewhere, and if it doesn't gel now, it will for sure at some later point in time.

Please post any thoughts you might have regarding this plan. Suggestions, addresses, warnings, do's and don'ts, whatever. If you have any of those, here's the place to leave them.

So here's to a great adventure!

Hoping to see you, -- Chris.