Long time coming...

[Kevin_Fogleman]

Many years ago when I was a kid about 10-14 maybe, I saw my first gyro's. This was in the mid '70's, I'd guess, '73-'77. Two of them flew into the airport where my Dad had his plane hangered. I remember they were having troubles with the new pre-rotator that had been recently out on the market. Looking back it was most likely a "Wonderlich' (sp) type. I was in awe!
Then after college I went to Oshkosh and saw Ken Brock do his thing. More awe! That was '90 or '91. Learned about Dennis and Air Comand being in my back yard, I lived in Kansas City then. Went up, found the airport and watched again in awe. But no money.
Got married in '96, moved away to North Georgia mtns and found Dan Leslie and his "RotorWing/SportsTV" show on the satellite and again that dream came back. From that wonderful show I found out about Maxie and all the flyers in the Savannah/Hilton Head area and again kept dreaming.
Job transfer to ... Savannah!! Year 2001.
Found Maxie and the airport and became an airport rat, hanging around, asking questions, helping with other people's projects and again building that burning desire.
Divorce in Oct. 2003. Purchase first gyro in Feb. 2004. Tweak and pay off thanks to a great guy that gave me the ability to pay for it over time, Feb '04 -July '04. Started balancing on mains, May '04. Runway hops, after fully paid for, July-Sept.
FIRST SOLO SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. ABOOUT 6:30 PM LOCAL.
Long time coming...

[GyroRon]

Congrats Kevin! Feels good doesn't it?!!! Be careful and hope to see you in the skys over Aiken with us in two weeks

[ventana7]

Kevin
Thanks for sharing your great story.

Take it slowly and get lots of good instruction so you keep it fun and safe.

Rob

[CLS447]

Congratulations Kevin ! It's like living a dream, isn't it?

[Allantat]

Two thumbs up Kevin! Follow your dreams... the best is yet to come.

Allan Tatarian
Fresno,Ca.

[tlanders]

That's great Kevin, I am also just dreaming right now but think I am close to reality. I hope you have a ball!!

[Brian Jackson]

Way to go! Hope to meet you someday at one of the fly-ins. Share some pix of your gyro when you get time.

[barnstorm2]

Great news! Congratulations!

[Kevin_Fogleman]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Now for another long phase of learning, learning, learning. I'll post more.
Thanks again!

[Aussie_Paul]

Have you had much dual training so far Kevin?

All the best for successfull flying.

Aussie Paul.

[Kevin_Fogleman]

Aussie,
my training has been a little different than most. Been an airport rat for the last two years or so, watching, learning, asking questions, etc. Whenever Maxie had a student, I was two feet away absorbing everything that was discussed, but quietly, not to disturb their training. Later on I would ask my questions.
Flight training? A couple 10 minute rides in back where I got used to the controls. After purchase of my Falcon and tweaking it, I began balancing on the mains. I did this for about 6 hours (rotor tach hours) over two to three months.
When I felt comfortable with that, and waited all summer for desirable wind/air conditions, I went up with Maxie again to learn hops. So time for first 'official training'... 1/2 hr.
I have been hopping every chance I get for another 3 months now and have another 5 hours rotor tach time doing hops, and hops, and hops.
So finally when I felt comfortable enough with that to go to the next phase, we went up again to do the official solo around the pattern. Made 3 take-offs and landings, when Maxie said I was OK'd to go on my own.
Had to wait another two weeks for dead calm, low humidity conditions. Knew all day long that that evening would be it. Got to airport, did 6-8 hops and then went for it!!
Most Exciting... Most Terrifying thing ever!! It is SO DIFFERENT out there in the open without the false sense of security that a pod tells your brain you have!!! As another guy at the airport says..."You feel smaller than a gnat's ass up there!" How True!
Didn't get to go around the pattern a second time because on downwind, just before turning base, my engine coughed and sputtered and well, tightened up my already tight sphincter, so I did a nice tight left turn and landed quickly. People on the ground said I did a beautiful turn and landing and didn't know about my engine problem.
I can't get my dual carb ea81 to act up on the ground when tied to a tree, but as Ron Awad has said, my machine had been sitting in a garage for a long time and the carbs should be rebuilt, so that's next before anything else.
That's my story! I'd love to hear other first solo stories.

[ben]

hey kevin, con-grats great story,

[GyroRon]

Maybe Jonathan Weis can rebuild your carbs at ROC???? what do you say Automan1223?

[Aussie_Paul]

Thanks for the story, Kevin. After hops, that "world" out there away from the runway, is scary.

Great stuff. As an instructor I like to know how various people make the grade.

Aussie Paul.