2011 PRA Convention @ Mentone Appears to be forming a NEXIS,will you be a part of it?

[barnstorm2]

Predictions are starting to come in about this years PRA Convention @ Mentone (sorry to be stepping on AutoM turf...)

The PPC guys LOVED the event and facilites last year and are telling us to expect DOUBLE the number of PPC related attendees.

The increase in attendees thanks to the PPC add-in made the vendors very happy so we ALREADY have more vendors signed up.

The mix with the PPC people is AMAZING as they are the perfect COMPLEMENT to a gyro convention. They fly when we tend not to and we fly when they do not. There is a natural cross-pollination as they use much of the same technology and parts (vendors) as we do and there is a great deal of cross over in the pilot populations.

We have rotorcraft manufacturers that have not been to Mentone before registered.

We have an Radio Control R/C club holding a convention the day ours end so we are expecting some good cross-over.

We are putting new advertising in place for an increase in GA pilot and general public attendance.

The fireworks club is returning

Two MAJOR aviation media outlets are sending EDITORS to observe the event! This MAY mean more significant positive media coverage then has ever happened in living memory.

The gyro revolution in Europe is now starting to get noticed here in the US.

What does this all mean?

Since I became a PRA member a decade ago, and a member of this sport everyone has be complaining about how gyros are the "Rodney Dangerfield" of aviation. No news, no media coverage (except negative) no interest from other pilot populations etc, etc...

Well NOW is our chance to crest and turn the wave!!

It is critical that every possible gyro, fan, student, enthusist, pilot, owner and builder attend the Mentone Convention so that we have enough of a ratio to turn the tide and start to make the big difference we have been all waiting years for.

Everyone can make a difference by attending this years convention.

Make your plans to attend the PRA Convention NOW.

Link to Registration:

http://www.pra.org/conventionreg.aspx?i=28


.

[GyroDoug]

Tim,

I will be there!!! I would't miss it for the world. It really is like the Superbowl of the Gyro world, except without all the exhorbatent costs. There really is more Rotocraft bang for your buck at this event than any other event in the world. It will mean traveling a couple thousand miles for me but it's well worth it. See you there!

[StanFoster]

Tim- Your post is like a pep rally. This Mentone will be a tur around and I am looking forward to a bigger and better event. I also am looking forward to again come in by air the 121 mile flight. 2007 was the last year i have flown to Mentone. I plan on flying with you guys for breakfast again. I like your " cross pollination" phrase! I may have to borrow that sometime. Stan

[Ghetto Wash]

Originally Posted by barnstorm2

The PPC guys LOVED the event and facilites last year and are telling us to expect DOUBLE the number of PPC related attendees.

I'm a PPC guy and I'll tell you that the buzz in the PPC world is that Mentone is one of the big events to go to this year. I didn't even know it was really a gyro event until I started following this forum. I had plans on attending, but family crisis is going to get in the way this flying season (Mother-in-law just diagnosed with terminal cancer and a kid with a broken jaw with surgery and related rehab around the corner). Next year will be my year for Mentone. Maybe I'll be a little more serious about this idea of me and gyros by then.

Hope it goes as well as you are expecting and everyone has a good time.

[StanFoster]

Ghetto- Sorry to hear of your family issues, but of course they come first. Next year will be our 50th and I am sure it will be ewven bgger. Stan

[Dmorris]

Originally Posted by StanFoster

Tim- Your post is like a pep rally. This Mentone will be a tur around and I am looking forward to a bigger and better event. I also am looking forward to again come in by air the 121 mile flight. 2007 was the last year i have flown to Mentone. I plan on flying with you guys for breakfast again. I like your " cross pollination" phrase! I may have to borrow that sometime. Stan

Stan,

Will be good to have you along for the breakfast flights. All we ask is for you to do run on landings so you don't stand out.

[StanFoster]

David- I had one runon landing so far, and it was a 200 foot one. I have used up my quota! I am used to being different. Ha. Stan

[Dmorris]

Ghetto,

Although I don't know you I'm truly sorry to hear about your family health problems. Life can turn on a dime. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. This I promise..

[barnstorm2]

Ghetto, sorry to hear about your family.

Yeah, we gyro people don't know how good we have it!

Stan,

That is great news!

I hope to get some air to air shots on the way to breakfast!

.

[Vance]

Is a nexis different than a nexus?

I look forward to Mentone and it is hard to imagine what could get better.

I learn so much each year.

I find such joy in the camaraderie and acceptance after spending most of the year as a bastard child endeavoring to prove the worth of a gyroplane to the nonbelievers.

Timing is always a challenge and it is never easy to stop life for two weeks. It is a long drive for me.

I look forward to one day flying Mariah Gale to Mentone as a sort of special gratification and homecoming.

Thank you, Vance

[barnstorm2]

Originally Posted by Vance

Is a nexis different than a nexus?

I look forward to Mentone and it is hard to imagine what could get better.

I learn so much each year.

I find such joy in the camaraderie and acceptance after spending most of the year as a bastard child endeavoring to prove the worth of a gyroplane to the nonbelievers.

Timing is always a challenge and it is never easy to stop life for two weeks. It is a long drive for me.

I look forward to one day flying Mariah Gale to Mentone as a sort of special gratification and homecoming.

Thank you, Vance

Easy! The difference is that one is spelled right!

That would be a great trip! Maybe when it happens I can meet you part of the way out and get some footage!

.

[Chuck Roberg]

Just booked my room at the Super 8 in Rochester. The person I was speaking with commented how they get booked up during our convention. They still have rooms left but I would not wait too long if you want a room.

The Super 8 and Comfort Inn are owned by the same people. The Comfort Inn prices seem to be a little more but I hear the breakfast is a little better than the Super 8. I never stayed at the Comfort Inn so I can't comment on that.

Be sure to mention your there for the PRA convention. You'll get a 5% discount off your room.

It's always nice to sit down for breakfast at the motel and meet and talk with fellow Gyro people. I hope to meet many more people at the convention. I know a lot of you from the forum but have never met in person.

[StanFoster]

Chuck- Thanks for jogging my memory. I went and booked for the Super 8 for four nights.


Stan

[barnstorm2]

Here is the lodging page: http://www.pra.org/default.aspx?p=MentoneLodging&i=33

.

[Ghetto Wash]

The following is copied from the PPC Yahoo List:

Below is the original invite from the Popular Rotorcraft Association. Now Powrachute has crashed it for their extravaganza. Powrachute is now saying who can and can't exhibit or sale and charging just to get in. It went from a fun get together with ppc's and rotorcrafts to a money making event. If it's like the last Extravaganza in Oklahoma then all pilots will have to show their registration and sport pilot license. Also the FAA will be invited and ramp check all. Like they did at the last extravaganza. I could not blame a lot of the PRA guys for not showing up for their own event.

---2010 was our 1st year to have PPC's to our rotocraft event and it went over GREAT. Gyro and PPC pilots alike all loved interacting and flying with each other. This will become an annual event for PPC's. I want to invite all PPC pilots to attend the PRA Annual Convention this year in Mentone, IN Aug 2-6, 2011 for a fantastic week of flying�---

http://www.pra.org/default.aspx?p=PR...nInfoPage&i=38

Some PPC people are upset that only Powrachute is invited and is prohibiting other PPC manufacturers and parts suppliers from setting up and showing their machines and supplies. Can they do this? Are they helping ($$$) with the event? Is there a fee to attend? Can competitors show their PPC's? Will there be ramp checks?

I'm a PPC guy and although not attending this year, I will pass on any info I get to the PPC community.