Tim,
I have a couple of questions for you since you are a sales rep for the company.
The UFO does not seem to have a very good reputation and few ,if any, flying examples so far. Do the guys at Phoenix know what the shortcomings are, and how to fix them? Do they have any real-world experience designing/building aircraft? What about flight experience in untested experimental aircraft? Knowledge of the basic principles of static and dynamic stability, thrustline to CG relationship, etc.?
Why did Phoenix decide to not produce the Falcon/Sparrow line of gyroplanes? These would seem to be a good way to start since they are simple proven machines. To me this would be a good way to get experience and build up a reputation supplying parts and kits for aircraft that are already flying.
Also you mentioned that a coaxial helicopter was going to be produced using the Helithruster body. An earlier post you made mentioned using the Falcon body? Has anyone at Phoenix undertaken a project like this before?
I may be reading this wrong, but it's starting to look like they may be trying to run before they can walk, or crawl.
Mike to be totally Honest ,the whole way Phoenix came about,was Anthony called about my Falcon,but I had already sold it,I told him to Contact Neal Carnes,as Neal was a nice guy but was getting ready to retire and sell out. next I heard from Anthony,was that he bought out the Rotor hawk Company. The Molds for the Falcon had been damaged when my Body was made, so when Anthony got the Molds they had to be repaired.
Sadly Neal did not give Anthony enough to even Build a Falcon, basicly he got all the left over stock and parts drawings, but not even a construction manual. Anthony said My build thread on the Forum was a life saver as my pics showed needed Details that the info from Neal had left out.
next call I got was when Anthony called to tell me he bought out the Nolan brothers helicopter design.
What I do know about Anthony is at this point he has never even ridden in a Gyro but really wants to provide a Service to the community. he has a very complete machine shop that he has before he started in the Gyro Business.
I will be Honest,I did not know he was even looking at the UFO until he Told me he was going to become a Dealer for them.
I am hoping he has not made a bad mistake.
as for me being a sales rep. when I first talked with him when he bought out Rotor hawk,I told him I would try and get the Word out,because I have always liked the enclosed Falcon design and would like to see more of them built and flying. so he told me any kits I can sell he would give me a commission. he also made the same offer on sales of the UFO.
that is why I am doing my own research on the Design,as if I am going to be sales Rep for them,I want to make sure it is not going to be selling another gyro approved by Dr. Jack.
Gyro Ron had Flown a Falcon and gave me a flight report, so I felt ok with giving an honest report on how a Falcon flew.
the UFO and the Nolan Brothers Helicopter are another story, I am still doing my research and refering prospects to Anthony on those for more info.
Anthony told me if I had my Gyro rateing he would make me his Company demo pilot, to bad I never got soloed. would be fun to get paid to demo Gyros.
Anthony is supposed to get up with Steve for training and I am thinking seriously about seeing if I can get my gyro rateing next spring so i would be legal to fly the Gyro at Fly-in's. But on that Same note I still want to get Me a 2 seat Commuter 2B helicopter as I have always been working to that Goal.
as for the UFO's Short comings,I would like for some of the ones here that have first hand info,to speak up so I can address these Issues as i am sure Anthony does not want to see an unsafe gyro either.
I know Anthony is open minded and will look into suggestions. I have told him of several ideas I had for the Falcon that he is interested in.
and one for the UFO that from what I understand is being looked into.
one thing about it, I would like to see the company grow, but on that same note I am going to be honest in what I promote. if I find out it is unsafe and that like RAF they are not trying to improve it to make it safe I will kindly wash my hands of it. sure I can use some extra income. but not at the expence of others. I want to promote the gyro and helicopter community.not set it back with bad designs.
I live about 80 miles from the Phoenix Rotor craft shop. so most of my contact is phone and E-mails and I have only been there 2 times.
what I have seen is a shop geared up making parts and I have seen some of the components for the 2 seat Helicopter, I too am waiting to see how it comes together as they just got in the UFO body that will be used for the 2 seat Coaxail helicopter.
At first Anthony was going to build it around the Falcon Body to install over the single seat nolan helicopter design, and I had mentioned I had thought a 2 seat side by side Falcon would be cool with a widened Falcon body and the same widened Body could then be used on the 2 seat helicopter.
then next I hear is that Anthony had worked out a Deal with jeff to make the Body for the Phoenix Helicopter.
How long he has had the UFO kit I don't know. but the pics I post where taken at his shop. so I know for a fact that there is a UFO now in N.C.
I have been told that Jeff Told Anthony there are 35 UFO's flying.
But I know I personnaly have not seen them. I do look forward to going back to the shop and seeing the UFO and taking pics of my own to share.
worse case,is I post the pics and any short comings can be addressed and improved.
I mean hey so far I have not made a dime from Phoenix,other then Anthony giving me some tail rotor blades and some parts.
what I have gained is a Friend that I hope can get everything lined up to provide parts and kits the to the gyro and helicopter community.
worse case for me is I get to go to more gyro fly-in's on the company to help promote and sell kits and parts.
best case the Company grows and I get in as a full employee and make a living doing what I love, and that is promoting the sport and doing me best to help make it safer.
I guess time will tell. if Phoenix goes belly up it will not be from me not trying to guide and suggest things to make the gyros and helicopters safer.
I can say Anthony,so far seems to be an honest man trying to do what is needed to make the company grow. and just like I help others with gyro and Helicopter info, I will try and help Anthony avoid any pitfalls of this business.
I mean hey if I get to make more gyro fly-in and see my friend here on the forum I will be a happy camper.
As I have stated I am still in the wait and see mode. but so far things are slowly coming together.
what I see this Company need at the Moment to grow, is #1 a demo machine and pilot for both the gyros and helicopter models they plan to sell .
both the basic open frame falcon and sparrow line and the UFO.
now what have I seen so far. I have seen a man that is selling a few open frame Sparrow kits, not sure how many blades he has sold, I have seen some really nice Rotorheads and parts that have been improved on over the old Falcon head. I have seen a few bearing mounts he machines to replace the bearing cup on a Dominatior that he had bough for him self before he bought out Rotorhawk. and I have seen components for the Helicopters and next week weather permitting I will be going with him to kentucky to pick up the Company display truck. a semi rig big enough to carry both the gyro and helicopter Demo machines in.
so I guess in the end time will tell.
I would suggest before any one passes Judgement ,give Anthony a call your self and talk to him.
he is a really nice guy and loves to talk gyros and helicopters.
