Who's machine is this

[Heron]

Is it a Windrider? Where is it today?

[chuter]

Don't know whose it is, but it sure is perdi.

[Brian Jackson]

Didn't they call that design the "Wind Ryder"? What ever happened to that company?

[chuter]

If that N number is N532WE, then here's a the info from the FAA registry:

Name HITSON STANLEY R
Street C/O WINDRYDER 5765 ARAPAHOE AVE
City BOULDER State COLORADO Zip Code 80303
County BOULDER
Country UNITED STATES


Serial Number 001 Type Registration Individual
Manufacturer Name HITSON STAN Certificate Issue Date 08/05/1986
Model N/A Status Undeliverable Triennial
Type Aircraft Rotorcraft Type Engine Reciprocating
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 51534724
MFR Year None Fractional Owner NO

[Pelt]

If it's a homebuilt, where's the experimental sticker? Also, I bet it would be a bitch to preflight. Everything is covered up!

Randy

[gyroplanes]

Jim McCutchen and the "Skywheels" rotorblades boys developed and marked this expensive (for the time) gyro kit. It was mostly composite, Rotax 532 powered and roughly twice the $$ of the Air Command 532 Commander. I think they sold 12 of them.
I believe the molds and fixtures were for sale.

A pilot, who's name escapes me, flew to Mentone at least twice, from the Washington D.C. area in a Windryder.

I only know of one fatality. Veteran gyro pilot and all around good guy, Harry Cordon of Arkansas is reported to have skidded a turn while tightening up his approach ahead of a fixed wing while test flying a WindRyder for someone.

Speculation is that the fuselage side area rolled the gyro faster than the rotors could and control was lost. This is similar to a fate some Air & Space 18s suffered early on.

[Bill Clem]

I have one sitting in my hangar. It is indeed a WindRyder, built by Jim McCutchen here in Broomfield, CO. The one in my hangar was the original prototype, reported to have cost about $1 million over 5 years in development. Very low drag, high thrustline, relatively small Rotax engine. The owner is Dick Goddard, who used to be a pilot for McCutchen.

[AirAusquin]

Originally Posted by Heron

Is it a Windrider? Where is it today?

Old thread. I first saw it in Popular Mechanics 20 years ago.
A friend of mine sent me this link today http://books.google.co.ve/books?id=z...copter&f=false

Got here after searching the registration wanting to know the fate of the aircraft

[Heron]

It seems long time ago . . .it was just yesterday . . .
Lots happened in between! I have learned gyros to some extent.
Heron

[Steve McGowan]

First the memory,, then the????

Gittin Old Ain't Ya.... Jest Like Me...HUH HERON !!

[Scary Gary]

@ Heron
What !!!!!

[Oky777]

I got her !!!

http://vps.zoniehosting.com/~rotary/...d.php?p=476758

[Heron]

Steve
What a ride my friend!
I hope to do it some more . . .time will tell!
But I am a changed man now, have a hunchback, Scary thing grew on my torso!
Stay handsome for when you can finally come down here! (unbelievable)
Heron

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by Heron

Scary thing grew on my torso!

Heron

Gary is in Brazil????

[Scary Gary]

Yep !
I grow on you .