TOTAL newbie

[Rehan K.Janjua]

Hello Jarod

Welcome to the worlds best Rotorcraft Forum.
www.aircommand.com or visit Caddo Mills and talk to Doug Smith.
www.pra.org. get all the happenings and become a member.

Have fun and take care of your Dad.

Best wishes.

Rehan Janjua
Air Command. Pakistan

[Heron]

Welcome Jarod.
Bensen Days and Mentone, In are the best places to go for a complete experience.
Olney, Bridgeport and Caddo Mills are closer to you for a try out.
Welcome
Heron

[Airbike]

Hi Jarod,

If you would like my reply in one piece with the attachment, e-mail me at: evanpraag@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Eric

[whiplash306]

Originally Posted by Heron

Welcome Jarod.
Bensen Days and Mentone, In are the best places to go for a complete experience.
Olney, Bridgeport and Caddo Mills are closer to you for a try out.
Welcome
Heron

I should be able to make the one in Olney. By the way it's been hyped, sounds like that's the one I need to focus on. I hope to see a large assortment of gyros at that one!

[whiplash306]

Originally Posted by Airbike

Hi Jarod,

If you would like my reply in one piece with the attachment, e-mail me at: evanpraag@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Eric

Reply sent to your email...thanks for the responses...Jarod

[Heron]

Olney is still a baby fly-in for gyros, not too many options there.
Main thing is that Bob & Bob are running a training center on that Airport, using a Golden Butterfly as trainer.
I hope I can steal that trainer for our school here in Florida, but they have another gyro ready and flying (The Turbo Golden)
El Mirage in California is another option for you, if you fly and rent-a-car they are all in the same range.
Your first filter should be money: how much you want to invest and then zero in that level of machines.
There is a fine machine here at Immokalee airport for sale around 5 G's, good starting machine, not a lot do do on it . . .
Your built also will determine what kind of gyro consider.
thanks
Heron

[whiplash306]

Originally Posted by Heron

Olney is still a baby fly-in for gyros, not too many options there.

That's dissappointing to hear. Does that mean there won't be but one or two present? Would hate to have to drive to California or Florida for my first experience with these things. Are there larger meets somewhere in Texas sometime throughout the year that are bigger? If not, does that mean that the backing/support of the gyro sport is less than ideal in Texas....especially for newcomers?

Originally Posted by Heron

Your first filter should be money: how much you want to invest and then zero in that level of machines.

Like many, the idea of gyros is especially appealing because of the cost factor vs. trying to afford a real helicopter or airplane. That said though, I am not interested in skimping on ANYTHING that lifts me into the air. I am not afraid to make a large expenditure if that means I will be purchasing a quality machine, with good R&D and a safe track record to back it. My problem is this...I don't see many people discuss the costs of this hobby. Therefore I have NO IDEA how much to even anticipate spending to participate...new vs old gyro, typical maintenance costs, training costs, etc....I'm eager to hear some money figures....

Originally Posted by Heron

There is a fine machine here at Immokalee airport for sale around 5 G's, good starting machine, not a lot do do on it . . .

Pictures? Why selling? What makes it a "fine machine"?

Originally Posted by Heron

Your built also will determine what kind of gyro consider.

5'11"...190 lbs....

[Chuck Roberg]

Jarod, If you want an intro to gyros you can take a day drive to Air Command at Caddo Mills, Tx. Their about 1/2 hour drive east of Dallas. If you call ahead they might be able to arrange a demo flight.

Once there you can take a look at their facilities and you should be able to get a good idea of at least one type of gyro.

You asked about a safe well designed gyro in another thread. If you want the best (in my opinion) then get a Magni. Now after the sticker shock. start looking at the Dominator, Air Command (clt models only) Monarch, Sport Copter, Gyro Bee or Honey Bee. These are only some of which I can remember from off the top of my head.

At your level of understanding of gyros it is probably a bad idea to get a used one on your own. You would need to find someone who has been involved with gyro's for several years and has flown them. Have him go with you to check it out and see if it would be a good buy or not.

[Heron]

About three years back Texas was posed to be "THE" place for gyro activity, than it went downhill. The Houston area club is dormant, TRA (Olney) is regrouping.
If you want a single seater you will look at : Monarch (Bridgeport) Dominator (Florida) and the VAneks machines (Oregon)

Two Seaters: RAF (modified) Sparrow Hawk side by side
Dominator and Golden Butterfly tandem and the Magni semi enclosed tandem.

I have a beatyfull Dominator, w/ trailer for 9 G's right here in Pompano
and the Bensen at Immokalee is a fine flyer, well built, good looking and cheap at 5 g's. My concern here is a 532 Rotax for a big guy.
The owner is getting out or flying as many already did at the Immokalee group, age and family issues there.

So you are looking at 10 to 20 G's for a single seater and 30 to 40 G's for a two seater . . .Magni is 40 Euros if I am not mistaken.

go to Bridgeport, look at the SkyCycle (flying motorcycle) and the SkyCar, before making any decisions.
Heron

[Dean_Dolph]

Originally Posted by Heron

.....About three years back Texas was posed to be "THE" place for gyro activity, than it went downhill. The Houston area club is dormant, TRA (Olney) is regrouping.

Heron

Hey, what do you mean the Houston area club is dormant! If you are talking about PRA Chapter 62 then it is alive and well thank you very much!

If the TRA would revisit thier situation and come to grips with the fact that they, and the rest of us, would be better off if they rejoined the PRA then it would be a good year.

[Heron]

Then you post here the schedule for our new friend to go see gyros in HOuston area.
As far as TRA rejoining the PRA it is a bridge that need to be crossed by both parties.
Who's gonna be the first to move?
As I said GG posts one post, about anything on this Forum and I join now!
But I guess a new member is not that important is it?
OOps . . .there I go . . .changing the subject, sorry!!
Heron

[whiplash306]

Originally Posted by Dean_Dolph

Hey, what do you mean the Houston area club is dormant! If you are talking about PRA Chapter 62 then it is alive and well thank you very much!

If the TRA would revisit thier situation and come to grips with the fact that they, and the rest of us, would be better off if they rejoined the PRA then it would be a good year.

Yes!!! Please do post schedules of meets, itineraries, contact information, etc. My father and I are eager to figure out the goings on. Unfortunately, the meets in Olney fall on the 4th weekend of every month, which just happens to be one of the two scheduled weekends I am req'd to work every month, so I'm kinda out of luck on that one. If however, this does become something we are truly interested in for the long run, my work schedule can be altered!!!

[whiplash306]

Originally Posted by Heron

Two Seaters: RAF (modified) Sparrow Hawk side by side
Dominator and Golden Butterfly tandem and the Magni semi enclosed tandem.

I have a beatyfull Dominator, w/ trailer for 9 G's right here in Pompano
and the Bensen at Immokalee is a fine flyer, well built, good looking and cheap at 5 g's. My concern here is a 532 Rotax for a big guy.
The owner is getting out or flying as many already did at the Immokalee group, age and family issues there.

So you are looking at 10 to 20 G's for a single seater and 30 to 40 G's for a two seater . . .Magni is 40 Euros if I am not mistaken.

go to Bridgeport, look at the SkyCycle (flying motorcycle) and the SkyCar, before making any decisions.
Heron

OK, thanks for posting some prices up as that helps for me to atleast get some ideas. But, am I missing something here???? How is it that some of these gyros are as expensive as they are when these.....
http://www.innovatortech.ca/xe_pricing.html and
http://www.innovatortech.ca/mosquito_pricing.html
are running in the 20G range and they are real helicopters...just smaller scale. Granted the links above are for kits, so I'm assuming they are NOT preassmbled. But are the gyro prices that you quoted me for kits or are they already assembled? I'm not understanding how or why a gyro would be more expensive than a true helicopter. Am I overlooking something? Anyone care to shed some light on this one for me?

By the way, the above linked small scale helicopters look AWESOME! I feel like my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of fun!

[Dean_Dolph]

The only reason I hadn't posted it was that Houston is lot further away from Whiplash than the people up North. I thought I posted this yesterday but I don't see it so it either got lost in the ether or I didn't finish the job.

Here is the link to PRA Chapter 62's web site.

WWW.GyrosAway.Com

[Heron]

Jarod
My guess (not very educated) is that material, engine, blades and labor are pretty close, the difference will be the clutch and tail rotor.
I am still strugling to understand costs here but I also have the feeling of too much for certain machines.
YOu can look at the range from little toy, around the patch machine to complex and sophisticated traveling aircraft.
MId point is: single seater around 8/9 G's used and two seater 25/35 G's
Some guys here and Ron A. specially have a better understanding on prices and market.
thanks
Heron