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.

[Mike484]

I think this would be a great way to promote gyros in the US. Once the flight plan is in place all of us here in the US need to contact our local papers and television stations and inform them of the expected arrivals and of course get all of friends involved in the local greetings. I can't help much with the FAA requirements but am willing to get as involved in local promotions as possible. If you take a southern route that takes you across Texas (Houston) I will personally do whatever I can to make sure as many people know about this as possible. Great plans guys!!!!!

[ckurz7000]

Originally Posted by Mike484

I think this would be a great way to promote gyros in the US. Once the flight plan is in place all of us here in the US need to contact our local papers and television stations and inform them of the expected arrivals and of course get all of friends involved in the local greetings. I can't help much with the FAA requirements but am willing to get as involved in local promotions as possible. If you take a southern route that takes you across Texas (Houston) I will personally do whatever I can to make sure as many people know about this as possible. Great plans guys!!!!!

Mike, this is great! Yes, promoting the sport and gyros across the US is certainly a worthy goal. At this day and age next to the traditional news media the internet is arguably among the most influential mass media. I want to start a forum/thread for this journey (maybe this one, if the adminstrator agrees) and have it be the one-stop shop for any information regarding it.

I'm a cautious guy and don't want to get a lot of people worked up just to tell them it fell through. So please mind the disclaimer: it might not happen now or ever; it all depends whether we can solve all problems along the way.

-- Chris.

[Mike484]

Yes, this will take a lot of planning and a lot of work getting all of the details completed. I understand that it may not happen because of all of the regulations and rules and anything can shut it down. I am excited about the thought of it and sure hope it does happen.

[dabkb2]

Hi Criss, that sounds like a great time, I live 10 miles from CRQ and would be glad to help in anyway I can. Mabe you could stop in at Ocotillo Wells (L90) before heading to lake Hemet. I understand it is just in the planning, but it sounds like fun just planning a trip like this.

[C. Beaty]

Why not go for broke and do the North Atlantic crossing?

Some mad dog of an Englishman did it in a rowboat.

The longest overwater leg looks to be ~300-400 miles from the Faroes to Iceland. Unfortunately, you’d be fighting prevailing winds going east to west.

[Timchick]

Chris,
I live in the Florida panhandle, Panama City, FL. If you needed to stop here on your way through I could provide some assistance, overnight hangar space, refueling assistance, transportation to and from airfield, etc.

[StanFoster]

What an adventure! This would be such a great article for the PRA, the EAA, the FAA, the FFA, and any other group that ends in an A!

Stan

[Mike484]

I agree with Stan, "A".

[scandtours]

If you read Chris post/story flying from Hungary to Croatia with his MT03
you will understand that he's a very brave man, pilot.
Giorgos

[GyroDoug]

Chris,

There a bunch of Gyros in the Denver CO area and in the SLC, UT area if you are interested in crossing the Rockies in the middle of the country. I am sure we would all be honored to host you when you come through, put you up, feed you and have a bunch of people excited to meet you and cheer you on. There is some gorgeous country to fly over in the rockies and if you drop down to southern Utah and then over to CA you would be amazed at the scenery you would be flying over (Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon) Give me a call if you want to discuss what's worth seeing and what support we could offer. Best of luck!!!!

Gyro Doug
(801) 628-7598

[PW_Plack]

Seconding what Doug just said, I should point out that if you're in our area around Thursday/Friday/Saturday June 18-20, our second annual rotorcraft meet will be happening at West Desert Airpark, which would be a great opportunity for both you guys to meet us guys, and for the MT03 to be seen!

(West Desert Airpark is about 494 nautical miles from CRQ.)

But no matter when you come, count on doing without hotel or restaurant bills while you're in our town!

[ms80831]

Originally Posted by ckurz7000

..."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...."

.

I might be interested in a their new Calidus with a 914. Just wonder how you would register one since the MT-03 is not approved for USA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cpxTFllxwk

[ckurz7000]

I am reading your posts with growing enthusiasm and excitement. It's great to know that there is support for this adventure. I'll use this thread to post news, developments and updates as they happen.

Of course, I'm eagerly watching this thread for any information and feedback from your side. Please, keep it coming.

Hoping to meet you all, -- Chris.

[ckurz7000]

Originally Posted by ms80831

I might be interested in a their new Calidus with a 914. Just wonder how you would register one since the MT-03 is not approved for USA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cpxTFllxwk

The Calidus is a great machine, judging by looks and preliminary flight tests. I'm going to ask the manufacturer if he would let us have a Calidus for this trip. But it might be a bit too early for this. If the mid May date is going to hold, I would need to have the Calidus on the ship over to Boston by mid April. That's a bit over three months from now. And I don't want to do this trip with zero experience flying it and no knowledge of its quirks and maintainance issues.

If it is indeed impossible to register an MT03 or Calidus in the US, this might pose a problem. The trip would lose a lot of its PR value to the manufacturer, and he might not want to sponsor it. Let's see what happens.

-- Chris.